Desmond College
Newcastle West, Limerick
Key facts
- DEIS
- Some Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 539 about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 254 girls, 285 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- Some pupils taught all subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 71790J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Newcastle West, Co. Limerick is home to Desmond College, a mixed post-primary school under the patronage of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, previously Co. Limerick VEC. It is multi-denominational and has DEIS status, with enrolment of 539 students. Subjects are taught at all levels, and some students take all their subjects through Irish. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activity forms part of what the school does. Named strands of school life include School of Sanctuary, One Good School, and participation in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Students are encouraged to take part in the wider life of the school. The buildings form a post-primary complex on a spacious site, described by the school as modern and well equipped.
History
Desmond College opened in 2001, taking over from Newcastle West Vocational School, which it replaced under a new name. The school operates under Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, formerly the Co. Limerick VEC. It links itself to a line of vocational and post-primary education in Newcastle West running back more than seventy years. An aerial photograph of the campus dates from 2019.
Applying to Desmond College
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Desmond College. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Desmond College
How many pupils attend Desmond College?
Desmond College has 539 pupils enrolled, 254 girls and 285 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Desmond College a DEIS school?
Yes. Desmond College is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
Does Desmond College teach through Irish?
Partly. Desmond College teaches some subjects through Irish.