St Patricks Girls National School
Limerick
Key facts
- DEIS
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 197 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16444C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Patrick’s Girls’ National School is an all‑girls Catholic primary school situated on Dublin Road, Limerick City. Operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Limerick, the school cultivates a Christian atmosphere founded on compassion, mutual respect and honest endeavour. Its educational philosophy seeks to develop each pupil holistically – spiritually, emotionally, culturally, physically and intellectually – encouraging confidence, self‑discipline and respect for others. The school currently educates around 214 pupils and is staffed by a principal, eight mainstream teachers, four learning‑support teachers, two special‑needs assistants, a secretary and a caretaker. Recent investment has modernised the campus: a single, safe outdoor play yard was created in 2006, prefabricated classrooms added in 2007 to meet growing demand, and a new building programme (2021‑2022) delivered three permanent classrooms and a staff room, replacing the temporary structures. These facilities support a broad curriculum and a range of extracurricular activities within a supportive, community‑focused environment.
History
The school’s origins date to 1915 when a new stone building with five classrooms was erected on Dublin Road to replace the earlier St Patrick’s Boys’ and Girls’ schools located behind the church. Officially opened on 1 February 1916, the school was funded by a Treasury Grant, local contributions and voluntary labour. Early staff included Principal Mrs Seoirse Clancy and teachers Miss McCarthy O’Sullivan and Mrs Sheehan. Expansion followed the post‑war housing boom: in 1954 two additional classrooms, cloakrooms and teachers’ toilets were added; in 1966 a separate boys’ school was built across the road. Continued residential development in Corbally and Rhebogue prompted further upgrades, including a unified school yard in 2006 and prefabricated classrooms in 2007. A major building programme began in November 2021, delivering three new classrooms and a staff room, completed by August 2022, to replace the prefabs and enhance the learning environment.
Applying to St Patricks Girls 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 St Patricks Girls 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 St Patricks Girls National School
How many pupils attend St Patricks Girls National School?
St Patricks Girls National School has 197 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Patricks Girls National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Patricks Girls National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of St Patricks Girls National School?
St Patricks Girls National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.