St Michaels
Limerick
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 116 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 54 girls, 62 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 12834S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Saint Michael’s National School is a small, vibrant and diverse primary school situated in the heart of Limerick city, between The Peoples Park and Saint Michael’s Church on Barrington Street. With just under 120 pupils, the school offers a close‑knit community where small class sizes enable personalised attention and an inclusive atmosphere. Families from more than twenty different countries are represented, and the school celebrates this cultural richness through regular events that promote respect and understanding for all backgrounds and abilities. The educational approach is rooted in the Church of Ireland ethos, providing religious education in line with its doctrines while fostering the formation of pupils in the faith. The curriculum is complemented by modern facilities, including four purpose‑built classrooms, a resource room, a gymnasium/hall, a library, a sensory garden (opened 2020), and a recent extension (opened October 2019). High‑speed broadband, introduced through the Department of Education’s programme, supports contemporary learning, and an after‑school service has been available since September 2024. Dedicated staff strive to create an enjoyable and supportive learning environment, encouraging each child to reach their full potential. The school’s commitment to special educational needs and English as an additional language is reflected in additional teaching and ancillary support funded by the Department of Education since 2000.
History
Saint Michael’s National School welcomed its first pupils in November 1882 and entered the National School system in January 1885, originally occupying a two‑room building with 34 girls and 43 boys. Early fees were six shillings, rising to eight shillings the following year, and the curriculum included reading, writing, spelling, grammar, geography, needlework and agriculture for boys. Located at 11 Barrington Street, the school was extended in 1953, 1964 and 1968; the latter year saw the amalgamation with Villiers Primary School. By 1971 the school employed five teachers, reducing to four in 1976. In 1984 new classrooms were added, providing four classrooms, a resource room, gymnasium/hall, library, staff room, office and storage. Since September 2008 there have been five mainstream class teachers, and from 2000 the Department of Education & Skills has funded additional staff for Special Educational Needs and English as an Additional Language pupils. A fundraising initiative in 2002 led to the publication of a living history of the school, with proceeds supporting field trips.
Applying to St Michaels
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 St Michaels. 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 St Michaels
How many pupils attend St Michaels?
St Michaels has 116 pupils enrolled, 54 girls and 62 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Michaels a DEIS school?
No. St Michaels 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 St Michaels?
St Michaels has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.