Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh
LUIMNEACH, Limerick
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 606 about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 371 girls, 235 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- All pupils taught all subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 76101I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh is a co‑educational post‑primary college in Limerick that delivers the full curriculum through the Irish language. Every subject, apart from additional language studies, is taught in Irish, providing pupils with a fully immersive linguistic environment. The college is situated in the purpose‑built, ultra‑modern Neville House on Sir Harry’s Mall, offering contemporary classrooms, specialist science laboratories and a high‑capacity IT infrastructure that is woven throughout the curriculum to develop digital confidence for the information age. The school places a strong emphasis on the sciences while integrating technology‑enhanced learning across all areas of study. It serves a diverse community of pupils, supporting both academic achievement and personal development, and provides a range of extracurricular activities and resources for students, parents and staff. As part of the Limerick Area Post‑Primary Schools Common Application System, Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh offers clear pathways for entry and maintains open communication through its website, social media channels and regular open‑night events.
History
Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh opened its doors to its first cohort on Friday, 1 September 2006, becoming the only co‑educational post‑primary institution in the Limerick City region to teach all subjects through Irish. Housed in the custom‑built Neville House on Sir Harry’s Mall, the college was established on the historic site of poet Brian Merriman’s family home. Under the leadership of founding principal Donncha Ó Treasaigh, the school grew from 31 pupils in 2006 to nearly 700 by 2019, reflecting the rapid expansion of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí across Ireland.
Applying to Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh
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 Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh. 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 Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh
How many pupils attend Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh?
Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh has 606 pupils enrolled, 371 girls and 235 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh a DEIS school?
No. Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh 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.
Does Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh teaches all subjects through Irish.