Doon Convent National School
Limerick
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 116 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 88 girls, 28 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14625T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Doon Convent National School is a Catholic primary school situated in the historic village of Doon, County Limerick. Set within the former grounds of the Convent of Mercy, the school benefits from a scenic location with views of the Slieve Felim and Galtee mountain ranges. It provides mixed‑gender education for Infants and 1st class, while girls only attend from 2nd to 6th class. The pupil roll is roughly 130, supported by a team of five mainstream teachers, two special‑educational‑needs (SEN) teachers and two dedicated autism spectrum disorder (ASD) classes. The school’s facilities are designed to give each class its own outdoor play space: two areas at the front for 3rd‑6th class and three areas at the rear for Infants to 2nd class. A poly‑tunnel and garden provide hands‑on learning opportunities, and the proximity to the local GAA field encourages sport and community involvement. The ethos is rooted in the Catholic tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, yet the school welcomes children of all denominations and promotes a transparent partnership among pupils, parents, the Parents’ Council, teachers and the Board of Management. Emphasis is placed on the holistic development of each child, balancing academic rigour with a broad range of extra‑curricular activities and tailored support for pupils with additional needs.
History
The Sisters of Mercy first established a presence in Doon in 1868, building a convent that housed both a boarding secondary school and a primary school, at one point accommodating around 70 nuns. The present primary school was constructed in 1976 on the site of a former orchard, continuing the Mercy tradition of providing education to the local community. Since its opening, the school has remained a central educational institution in the East Limerick village.
Applying to Doon Convent National School
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 primary school dates apply broadly to Doon Convent National School. 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: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 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 Doon Convent National School
How many pupils attend Doon Convent National School?
Doon Convent National School has 116 pupils enrolled, 88 girls and 28 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Doon Convent National School a DEIS school?
No. Doon Convent National School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Doon Convent National School?
Doon Convent National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.