Mid West School for the Deaf
Rossbrien, Limerick
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 44 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 21 girls, 23 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19719H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Mid West School for the Deaf is a specialist day‑school based in Limerick that provides tailored education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children from early‑intervention ages through to post‑primary level. The school delivers a bilingual curriculum that incorporates Irish Sign Language alongside spoken/written English, ensuring pupils develop strong communication skills in both modalities. Learning is organised into dedicated early‑intervention, primary and post‑primary programmes, each designed to meet the specific developmental and academic needs of Deaf learners while promoting inclusion and independence. The campus is situated within the grounds of Our Lady’s of Lourdes School at Rosbrien, occupying a purpose‑built facility opened in 1998. The modern building houses specialised classrooms equipped with visual fire alarms, hearing‑assistive technology, and resources for visual learning. Dedicated spaces support art, woodwork and collaborative projects, fostering creative expression and practical skills. A strong emphasis on community partnership and fundraising underpins the school’s ability to maintain high‑quality resources and extracurricular activities, such as charitable cycles and art exhibitions, enhancing the overall educational experience for its students.
History
The school was established when parents, recognising that the only existing option for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children was residential schooling in Dublin, created a day‑school in Limerick without initial departmental sanction. Funding for the first year was raised by the Parents Association through fundraising. In 1980 the school received formal sanction from the Department of Education. After a prolonged campaign for suitable premises, a new purpose‑built school was opened in 1998 by President Mary McAleese on the grounds of Our Lady’s of Lourdes School, Rosbrien. Subsequent development added post‑primary programmes and a pre‑school, expanding the provision to early‑intervention, primary and post‑primary Deaf education.
Applying to Mid West School for the Deaf
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 Mid West School for the Deaf. 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 Mid West School for the Deaf
How many pupils attend Mid West School for the Deaf?
Mid West School for the Deaf has 44 pupils enrolled, 21 girls and 23 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Mid West School for the Deaf a DEIS school?
No. Mid West School for the Deaf 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 Mid West School for the Deaf?
Mid West School for the Deaf has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.