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Limerick

133 primary schools and 21,953 pupils in 2025/26.

Pupils in 2025/26
21,953
−227 on 2024/25
Schools
133
No change on 2024/25
Average school size
165.1
−1.7 on 2024/25
Average class size
21.83
−0.32 on 2024/25

Counts every school that reported in each year, including schools that have since closed. Dotted lines bridge 1983/84 to 1992/93. 1974/75 is left out because that year's source file is missing five counties.

Pupils

21,953

−227 on 2024/25

1975/762025/26

Schools

133

157 in 1975/76

1975/762025/26

Average pupils per school

165.1

166.9 in 1975/76

1975/762025/26

Average class size

21.83

−0.32 on 2024/25

2006/072025/26

Growing and falling since 2015/16

Each school's change in pupils over 10 years, from 2015/16 to 2025/26. A change of 10% or more either way counts as growing or falling.

Every school's change

131 schools with figures for both years

Schools still filling their classes in 2015/16, and schools opened since, are listed separately.

55fell by 10% or more
38within 10%
38grew by 10% or more
Down 25% or more · 26Down 10 to 25% · 29Within 10% · 38Up 10 to 25% · 13Up 25% or more · 25

Grown most

Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26

  1. 1 Meenkilly N SAbbeyfeale, Co. Limerick 53 → 101 +90.6%
  2. 2 Kilbehenny N SMitchelstown, Co. Limerick 54 → 100 +85.2%
  3. 3 Corpus Christi N SLimerick, Co. Limerick 234 → 403 +72.2%
  4. 4 S N Cill LachtainNewcastle West, Co. Limerick 138 → 235 +70.3%
  5. 5 Gaelscoil SairsealLuimneach, Co. Limerick 228 → 369 +61.8%

Fallen most

Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26

  1. 1 Glenbrohane N SKilmallock, Co. Limerick 66 → 23 −65.2%
  2. 2 Carnane MXD N SFedamore, Co. Limerick 67 → 30 −55.2%
  3. 3 S N Toinn an TairbhCappamore, Co. Limerick 140 → 79 −43.6%
  4. 4 Gearoid Ui GhriobhthaLoughill, Co. Limerick 51 → 30 −41.2%
  5. 5 Cloverfield N SDromkeen, Co. Limerick 70 → 42 −40.0%

Ranked by percentage change. Only schools with 50 or more pupils in 2015/16 are ranked, leaving out any still filling their classes then, because a few pupils make a big percentage in a small or new school. An amalgamation or a new school nearby can also explain a big rise or fall.

Newer schools

2 schools still filling their classes in 2015/16 or opened since, with 518 pupils between them. They aren’t in the figures above.

Break Limerick down

Select a group to see its schools, pupils and class sizes.

Planning areas

Change over
Limerick City 43 12,159 282.8 22.46 528
+4.1%
Newcastlewest 11 1,730 157.3 21.29 77
+7.3%
Bruff–Hospital 11 1,164 105.8 21.86 51
−13.5%
Doon–Cappamore 11 1,130 102.7 21.52 50
−12.3%
Askeaton/Foynes/Shanagolden/Pallaskenry 9 1,038 115.3 21.51 47
+3.6%
Abbeyfeale 9 866 96.2 21.46 39
−2.3%
Rathkeale 8 844 105.5 20.12 41
+10.8%
Croom 7 799 114.1 23.33 33
+19.4%
Kilmallock 4 556 139.0 18.41 29
−14.5%
Newport 2 380 190.0 23.75 16
+0.3%
Dromcollogher 4 310 77.5 19.38 16
−10.7%
Kilfinane 4 270 67.5 18.14 14
−25.8%
Tarbert 4 248 62.0 19.67 12
+12.2%
Mitchelstown 3 198 66.0 18.90 10
+40.4%
Rath Luirc–Charleville 2 194 97.0 20.33 9
−11.4%
Tipperary 1 67 67.0 22.33 3
−27.2%

Change since 2015/16 counts today's schools and any that closed from 2023/24; earlier closures aren't in any planning area. All planning areas in Ireland

Patrons
Bishop of Limerick 94 16,955 180.4 21.74 756
Archbishop of Cashel & Emly 28 2,563 91.5 21.02 116
Bishop of Killaloe 3 675 225.0 24.78 27
Minister for Education & Skills 1 578 578.0 24.08 24
Educate Together 2 576 288.0 23.25 24
An Foras Pátrúnachta 1 412 412.0 24.24 17
Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI 2 130 65.0 18.57 7
Named Individual 1 54 54.0 18.00 3
Limerick and Clare ETB 1 10 10.0 10.00 1

Local authorities
Limerick County Council 109 15,270 140.1 21.81 678
Limerick City Council 24 6,683 278.5 21.88 297

Class sizes

Mainstream class groups only. The source does not identify which standard/year group each class group belongs to. Figures for 2025/26: 21,285 pupils in mainstream classes.

Average class size
21.83
Mainstream classes
975
Largest class
36
Classes of 30 or more
56
Schools with a class of 30+
34

Teachers

Teachers in the 133 mainstream primary schools here, 2006/07 to 2025/26. Class teachers are counted every year; all teaching posts where they're known.

How we count teachers
Class teachers in 2025/26
975
Up 131 since 2006/07, while pupils rose 7%
Teaching posts in 2025/26
about 1,647
Estimate: 975 class teachers, 73 principals and deputies, 481 special education and 118 special class teachers
Teachers in 2015/16
1,373
The Department's last count of every teacher
Since 2024/25
13 / 11
13 schools gained a class teacher, 11 lost one

Class teachers since 2006/07

One for each mainstream class, every school year

Special schools and special classes

9 special schools in Limerick, and the special classes in its 133 mainstream schools. Special schools aren't counted in the pupils, class sizes or teachers above.

All special schools
Pupils in special schools
669
In 9 schools, up from 557 in 2015/16
Special classes in 2025/26
118
In 64 of 133 schools. 48 in 2020/21
Allocated for 2026/27
134
In 74 schools: 16 new classes, 10 schools with their first
Autism classes
103
87% of special classes

Special classes since 2020/21

In Limerick's mainstream schools, from the NCSE's yearly lists

  • 2020/21 48
  • 2021/22 62
  • 2022/23 75
  • 2023/24 88
  • 2024/25 104
  • 2025/26 118
  • 2026/27 134

2026/27, dashed: allocated for next year.

Special school Pupils Since 2015/16 Teaching posts SNAs
Catherine MC Auley SP SLimerick · Mild general learning disability 278
+16.8%
32 33
St Vincents SP SchoolLisnagry · Moderate general learning disability 100
+1.0%
21 51.5
St Gabriels SchoolLimerick · Physical disability 64
+10.3%
10 27.25
Red Hill SchoolPatrickswell · Autism 61
−18.7%
12 34.15
Limerick Community Special SchoolLimerick · Community special school 47 – 10 25
Mid West School For the DeafLimerick · School for deaf pupils 44
+57.1%
9 14.33
The Childrens ArkLimerick 44
+120.0%
– –
St Augustines Spec SCHLimerick 24
0.0%
– –
St Canices Special SchoolMulgrave St 7
−53.3%
– –

Sources: Department of Education enrolment lists; NCSE special class lists and special school allocations (CC BY 4.0).

Schools in Limerick

133 schools with 2025/26 figures, largest first.

Every school in Limerick (CSV)
Change over

Select a column heading to sort

Roll number
Scoil Moin A LinCastletroy 17937H 847
+4.2%
32 26.28 30 1
Scoil NeassainMungret 14409N 668
−7.9%
26 25.69 29 0
Scoil IdeLimerick 18872K 654
−17.4%
28 23.36 29 0
An Mhodh ScoilLuimneach 19894C 578
−11.9%
24 24.08 27 0
Scoil Phoil NaofaDooradoyle 19336O 573
−13.4%
24 23.88 26 0
Milford Grange N SchoolCastletroy 19800N 479
−4.2%
19 25.21 33 8
St Brigids NSLimerick 19475F 457
−4.0%
18 24.72 28 0
Gaelscoil Chaladh an TreoighCaladh an Treoigh 20148U 412
+32.5%
17 24.24 29 0
Corpus Christi N SLimerick 19830W 403
+72.2%
20 18.90 24 0
Gaelscoil an RaithinLuimneach 20181S 389
+37.0%
16 24.31 29 0
Limerick City East Educate Together NSMungret 20175A 373
+52.9%
16 22.19 28 0
Gaelscoil SairsealLuimneach 19956V 369
+61.8%
14 26.36 30 1
Scoil Mathair deLimerick City 18677M 362
+24.4%
16 21.12 30 2
Salesian Primary SchoolLimerick 20496U 361 – 16 22.56 29 0
Our Lady Queen of Peace SchoolLimerick 17737W 326
+5.2%
16 20.00 23 0
S N Lios na GroiLisnagry 18516L 295
−3.0%
11 26.27 32 2
S N Naomh IosefClarina 19272O 290
+6.6%
12 23.67 30 1
Scoil MocheallógKilmallock 20193C 281
−10.5%
15 17.60 25 0
Presentation Primary SchoolLimerick 20018H 279
+4.5%
14 19.07 27 0
Scoil Chriost Ri BLimerick 19331E 278
−4.1%
12 22.17 26 0
Scoil an Spioraid NaomhBallysheedy 15680J 267
−8.6%
11 24.27 30 2
S N Muire na hEireannLimerick 19332G 262
−10.9%
11 23.27 28 0
Courtenay National SchoolNewcastle West 17951B 251
+0.8%
12 18.33 29 0
Castleconnell N SCastleconnell 18161A 241
+16.4%
9 26.78 32 4
Mahoonagh N SCastlemahon 11422N 237
+18.5%
10 22.60 30 1
S N Cill LachtainNewcastle West 18708U 235
+70.3%
10 22.30 31 2
St Josephs ConventNewcastle West 12975N 225
−2.2%
11 18.91 29 0
Scoil Aine NaofaRathkeale 18177P 224
+38.3%
11 19.36 24 0
St Johns ConventLimerick 06936R 223
−25.4%
12 17.50 24 0
Scoil IosagainLimerick 16910F 222
+1.4%
12 17.50 23 0
Scoil Dean CussenBruff 20133H 219
−28.4%
9 23.11 29 0
J F K Memorial SchoolLimerick 18991S 218
−9.5%
9 24.22 35 1
Thomond Primary SchoolLimerick 20460W 215
−11.5%
11 18.45 27 0
Scoil Cre CumhraCrecora 17101A 214
+5.4%
8 26.00 30 1
Monagea National SchoolNewcastle West 09401Q 206
+24.8%
8 25.25 30 1
Scoil Chriost an SlanaitheoirBallingarry 20094A 204
+21.4%
8 25.50 30 1
Limerick School ProjectLimerick 19934L 203
−6.9%
8 25.38 28 0
Gaelscoil O DoghairCaisleán Nua Thiar 19883U 201
−15.2%
8 24.38 31 1
Scoil Nais Cnoc AineHospital 17212J 200
+53.8%
7 26.86 32 2
Scoil Padraig Naofa BLimerick 16443A 197
−10.0%
8 23.88 30 2
Scoil Padraig Naofa CLimerick 16444C 197
−14.7%
8 24.62 30 2
Knockea National SchoolBallyneety 06539H 191
−8.2%
8 23.88 29 0
S N AilbheBrittas 07857D 187
+15.4%
7 24.14 33 1
Caherline N SCaherconlish 15226K 183
+2.2%
7 24.43 35 2
Le Chéile National SchoolLimerick 20459O 174
−7.4%
11 14.09 23 0
Scoil Cill ChurnainKilcornan 17871D 174
+50.0%
7 24.86 32 2
Athea N SchoolAthea 15685T 171
+13.2%
6 25.67 28 0
Croom National SchoolCroom 09306W 169
+27.1%
7 22.43 32 2
Bruree National SchoolBruree 08572P 168
−9.7%
7 24.00 32 1
Our Lady of Lourdes N SLimerick 19667O 161
+11.8%
8 18.62 22 0
St Fergus Primary SchoolGlin 20102T 159
+51.4%
6 24.50 27 0
Scoil Naomh Muire, Eas GéitineAskeaton 20561F 157 – 7 21.14 35 1
Hospital NSHospital 19952N 156
−20.4%
6 25.33 31 2
St Mary's National SchoolLimerick 20405O 152
+35.7%
7 20.00 25 0
Kilfinane Convent Primary SchoolKilfinane 13026P 145
−5.2%
6 22.17 25 0
Scoil Tobar PadraigPatrickswell 17738B 143
−4.7%
6 22.00 24 0
S N Ma RuaLimerick 18600A 142
−18.9%
6 23.67 35 1
Scoil MhuireCharleville 18260C 141
−8.4%
6 23.50 29 0
Donoughmore N SDonoughmore 16118M 140
−34.9%
6 21.33 29 0
Scoil Naomh IosafAdare 16712B 140
−1.4%
6 23.33 35 1
Scoil AthainLisnagry 16508C 139
−19.2%
7 19.86 33 1
Kildimo National SchoolKildimo 06516S 138
−25.0%
6 23.00 26 0
Pallaskenry N SPallaskenry 12631E 135
−18.7%
6 20.50 27 0
S N GallbhaileGalbally 13459A 135
+5.5%
6 21.50 25 0
Ballylanders N SKIlmallock 14305B 128
+2.4%
6 21.33 26 0
Scoil Sean TsraideAdare 17068F 127
−14.8%
5 25.40 36 2
St Michaels NSLimerick 15320C 126
+55.6%
6 19.00 20 0
Our Ladys AbbeyAdare 09296W 125
0.0%
7 17.86 30 1
Dromtrasna N Slimerick 16237U 122
−26.5%
5 23.20 28 0
Doon Convent N SDoon 14625T 116
0.0%
5 21.40 27 0
St MichaelsLimerick 12834S 116
−9.4%
5 23.20 25 0
Glengurt N SBallagh 07317R 115
+36.9%
5 21.80 29 0
Nicker N SPallasgreen 14231V 113
−15.0%
5 22.60 28 0
Convent of Mercy N SAbbeyfeale 17060M 110
−15.4%
6 18.33 23 0
St James N SAskeaton 09702H 110
−19.1%
5 20.80 23 0
S N Beal Atha GreanKilmallock 19323F 109
+19.8%
5 19.60 27 0
Scoil MhuireBallingarry 18612H 107
−18.9%
5 21.40 28 0
Scoil AilbheKilmallock 18030I 104
−22.4%
4 23.00 30 1
Ballymartin N SCroom 04466T 103
+22.6%
4 25.75 35 1
Meenkilly N SAbbeyfeale 16239B 101
+90.6%
4 25.25 26 0
Bohermore N SBallysimon 08342V 100
+185.7%
4 19.00 26 0
Kilbehenny N SMitchelstown 17298W 100
+85.2%
4 25.00 29 0
Scoil Nais Cathair Chinn LisCaherconlish 17487C 100
−9.9%
5 20.00 31 1
S N SheanainFoynes 02813E 99
+1.0%
4 23.25 34 1
Scoil Cill ColmainArd Achadh 17138A 99
−14.7%
5 19.80 23 0
Abbeyfeale B N S 1Abbeyfeale 16264A 97
−33.1%
5 19.40 23 0
Banogue National SchoolCroom 07222G 97
+115.6%
4 21.50 25 0
Bilboa N SchoolCappamore 15692Q 95
−18.1%
4 23.75 29 0
Shanagolden N SShanagolden 17438M 92
−32.8%
5 18.40 29 0
Scoil Ide NaofaBallagh 18426K 89
+3.5%
4 20.75 25 0
Athlacca N SKilmallock 17155A 88
−20.0%
5 16.60 22 0
Scoil Naomh IosefRathkeale 18653V 86
+24.6%
5 16.80 22 0
Scoil MhuireKilmallock 17299B 85
−33.6%
4 21.25 24 0
Scoil Baile an AirdHerbertstown 17364J 83
−27.8%
4 20.75 23 0
Gaelscoil SheoirseLuimneach 19931F 82
−9.9%
5 14.00 20 0
S N Molua BArdagh 14075K 82
−19.6%
4 19.50 26 0
Scoil ChaitríonaCappamore 20233L 82
+15.5%
4 17.75 24 0
S N Toinn an TairbhCappamore 18367U 79
−43.6%
4 19.75 21 0
Croagh National SchoolRathkeale 02007A 78
−3.7%
4 19.50 27 0
Templeglantine N STempleglantine East 02358G 76
−15.6%
3 25.33 28 0
Granagh National SchoolKilmallock 09927I 74
+1.4%
3 24.67 27 0
St JosephsCharleville 19966B 74
−22.9%
4 18.50 22 0
S N FiodhnachKilmallock 04469C 73
0.0%
4 18.25 21 0
Scoil Cnoc Loinge BKnocklong 18142T 72
−36.8%
3 24.00 27 0
St John the Baptist Boys N SLimerick 16715H 68
+83.8%
4 14.50 20 0
Oola National SchoolOola 17184H 67
−27.2%
3 22.33 27 0
S N CiarainAdare 18717V 66
+88.6%
3 22.00 23 0
S N Naomh PadraigAbbeyfeale 12368P 61
+64.9%
3 20.33 26 0
Scoil na mBraithreDoon 16713D 56
−22.2%
3 18.67 23 0
Coolcappa N SArdagh 11955C 54
+17.4%
3 18.00 23 0
Martinstown N SKilmallock 09915B 54
−28.9%
3 16.67 22 0
St. Nicholas Church of Ireland SchoolAdare 08926B 54
−22.9%
3 18.00 22 0
S N Gleann gCreabharKilmallock 17981K 50
−13.8%
3 13.67 16 0
Carrickerry N SAthea 11280T 49
+6.5%
3 16.33 18 0
Ardpatrick N SKilmallock 08419H 48
−30.4%
3 16.00 21 0
Kilmeedy N SKilmeedy 16764U 48
+77.8%
2 24.00 28 0
S N Cnoch A DeagaKilmallock 11809O 48
+65.5%
3 16.00 21 0
Cloverfield N SDromkeen 15700M 42
−40.0%
3 14.00 22 0
Scoil Naomh Mhuire National SchoolBeal Atha Da Thuille 18236F 39
+25.8%
2 19.50 21 0
Scoil na mBearnanPallasagreen 16439J 35
−36.4%
2 15.50 18 0
Kilteely N SKilteely 14005M 32
+45.5%
2 14.00 18 0
Carnane MXD N SFedamore 09132P 30
−55.2%
2 15.00 20 0
Gearoid Ui GhriobhthaLoughill 17814O 30
−41.2%
2 15.00 20 0
Garrydoolis N SPallasgreen 10991B 29
−23.7%
2 14.50 15 0
Glenbrohane N SKilmallock 12613C 23
−65.2%
2 11.50 16 0
Scoil Naomh IdeBallagh 16896O 22
−8.3%
2 11.00 12 0
Ballyguiltenane N SGlin 11307N 20
−41.2%
2 10.00 10 0
Bulgaden N SKilmallock 13790G 19
−52.5%
2 9.50 10 0
Ballysteen N SAskeaton 07900B 17
−52.8%
2 8.50 9 0
Church Street National SchoolRathkeale 10929T 14
−48.1%
2 7.00 7 0
Scoil Naomh MhuireAbbeyfeale 17593B 13
−56.7%
2 6.50 9 0
Fedamore CNSKilmallock 14067L 10
−63.0%
1 10.00 10 0
S N Loch GuirBruff 07117J 6
−83.8%
2 3.00 5 0