Milford Grange National School
Castletroy, Limerick
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 479 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 237 girls, 242 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19800N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Milford Grange National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the Castletroy suburb of Limerick, just behind Our Lady of Christians Church on Plassey Park Road. Set on the banks of the River Shannon and adjacent to the University of Limerick campus, the school benefits from immediate access to world‑class sporting facilities, including the university’s sports arena and pitches, as well as natural walking routes that support outdoor learning. The campus comprises a modern gymnasium, a range of purpose‑built classrooms, an outdoor classroom courtyard, and specialised spaces for music, art and drama, enabling a broad curriculum that balances academic rigour with creative and physical development. The school’s educational philosophy is multi‑faceted, aiming to nurture well‑rounded individuals who develop confidence, responsibility and teamwork. A strong emphasis is placed on the arts and sport, with a vibrant school band, regular concerts, and a variety of clubs such as Shakespeare, Irish dancing, knitting, and visual arts. Environmental stewardship is demonstrated through multiple Green Flag awards and a Healthy Eating Policy that has been in place since 1996. Together, these provisions create a rich, supportive environment that encourages a lifelong love of learning.
History
Milford Grange National School opened on 1 September 1982 in the parish of Our Lady of Christians, Castletroy, initially accommodating 57 pupils and two teachers in the Salesian Hostel and prefabricated units. Phase 1 of the permanent building, completed in 1995, provided four classrooms, a GP room, staff‑room and principal’s office. Subsequent expansions added four classrooms in 2000, a new classroom in 2007, a gymnasium in 2008 and another classroom in 2009, bringing the school to over 500 pupils, twenty‑eight teachers and thirteen Special Needs Assistants. The school celebrated its 35‑year anniversary in 2017. Notable milestones include the inauguration of the school band (1986), the first basketball team (1995), multiple Green Flag awards (first in 2002, third in 2007), and the development of an outdoor classroom and vegetable garden. The founding principal, Tom Browne, led the school for 26 years before retiring in 2008.
Applying to Milford Grange 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 Milford Grange 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 Milford Grange National School
How many pupils attend Milford Grange National School?
Milford Grange National School has 479 pupils enrolled, 237 girls and 242 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Milford Grange National School a DEIS school?
No. Milford Grange 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 Milford Grange National School?
Milford Grange National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.