J F K Memorial School
Limerick
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 218 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 1 girls, 217 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18991S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
John F. Kennedy Memorial School is a Roman Catholic senior boys primary school situated in Limerick. The school provides a holistic education that nurtures intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical, social and cultural development. Its curriculum is underpinned by a strong Catholic ethos, with Religious Education delivered in line with the doctrines and traditions of the Church. The school places particular emphasis on fostering a living relationship with God, encouraging respect for self, others and the environment, and promoting self‑esteem and confidence through a supportive learning atmosphere. The campus benefits from modern facilities following a complete rebuild in 2012, offering contemporary classrooms, specialist STEM resources, and dedicated spaces for music, sport and extracurricular activities. Pupils regularly take part in a wide range of programmes, including rugby, Gaelic football, choir, science week and community‑led projects such as Team Limerick and charitable shoebox appeals. These activities reinforce the school’s commitment to community involvement and the development of well‑rounded individuals prepared for local, national and European life.
History
The school was founded in 1964 by the Right Reverend Monsignor Michael Moloney and named in memory of President John F. Kennedy, who visited Ireland in 1963 and addressed a crowd in Limerick. Following the tragic assassination of President Kennedy later that year, the school was established to honour his legacy. The original buildings served the community for 48 years before being demolished and replaced by a new, purpose‑built facility opened in 2012.
Applying to J F K Memorial 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
View J F K Memorial School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to J F K Memorial School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 J F K Memorial School
How many pupils attend J F K Memorial School?
J F K Memorial School has 218 pupils enrolled, 1 girls and 217 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is J F K Memorial School a DEIS school?
No. J F K Memorial 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 J F K Memorial School?
J F K Memorial School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.