The Childrens Ark
Limerick · Roll number 20234N
- Special school
- Multi Denominational ethos
- Not DEIS
- Pupils in 2025/26
- 44
- +10 on 2024/25
- Over 10 years
- +120%
- Up 24 from 20 in 2015/16
- Girls and boys
- 22 / 22
- 50% girls
The Department of Education publishes only the number of pupils, girls and boys in each special school, not pupils by class, so this page has no class or class size figures. Pupils in special schools can be aged 4 to 18. All special schools
Pupils since 2007
Total enrolment each school year
Shaded: the last 10 years, 2015/16 to 2025/26. Until 2010/11 the Department listed special schools with mainstream schools; from 2011/12 they have their own list. Pupils on 30 September each year. Known data issues
Nearby
The special schools closest to The Childrens Ark, and the mainstream schools within 10 km that have special classes, measured in a straight line.
Nearest special schools
| Number on map | School | Distance | Pupils | Since 2015/16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Childrens ArkThis school | – | 44 |
+120.0%
|
|
| 1 | St Gabriels School0.2 km · Limerick · Physical disability | 0.2 km | 64 |
+10.3%
|
| 2 | Catherine MC Auley SP S1.9 km · Limerick · Mild general learning disability | 1.9 km | 278 |
+16.8%
|
| 3 | Limerick Community Special School2.0 km · Limerick · Community special school | 2.0 km | 47 | – |
| 4 | Mid West School For the Deaf2.0 km · Limerick · School for deaf pupils | 2.0 km | 44 |
+57.1%
|
| 5 | Red Hill School3.1 km · Patrickswell, Co. Limerick · Autism | 3.1 km | 61 |
−18.7%
|
Special classes within 10 km54 classes in 28 mainstream schools in 2025/26, from the NCSE
| Number on map | School | Distance | Classes | 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Scoil Neassain1.2 km · An autism class | 1.2 km | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Limerick City East Educate Together NS2.0 km · 2 autism classes and an early intervention class | 2.0 km | 3 | 3 |
| 8 | Our Lady of Lourdes N S2.0 km · 2 autism classes | 2.0 km | 2 | 2 |
| 9 | Scoil Mathair de2.1 km · 2 autism classes and 2 speech and language classes | 2.1 km | 4 | 4 |
| 10 | Our Lady Queen of Peace School2.6 km · An autism classA new class in 2026/27 | 2.6 km | 1 | 2 |
| 11 | Gaelscoil Sheoirse3.1 km · An early intervention class and an autism classA new class in 2026/27 | 3.1 km | 2 | 3 |
| 12 | Le Chéile National School3.1 km · 2 autism classes and an emotional disturbance class | 3.1 km | 3 | 3 |
| 13 | Presentation Primary School3.3 km · 2 autism classes | 3.3 km | 2 | 2 |
About this school
Inspection reports open on gov.ie, under the name the school had when it was inspected. Newer schools may not have one yet.
Contact
- Principal
- Olive Dillon
- Phone
- 061485303
- [email protected]
- Address
- Midwestern Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle, Limerick, V94 YVH0
School
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Patron
- Health Service Executive
- School type
- Special school
- DEIS
- Not DEIS
Language and area
- Irish classification
- No subjects through Irish
- Gaeltacht
- Non-Gaeltacht
- Island
- Not on an island
- Local authority
- Limerick City Council
- Planning area
- Limerick City
Each detail is the latest one the Department of Education has recorded for this school. The designation is the need the NCSE lists the school as set up for; many special schools now take pupils with a wider range of needs. Known data issues
Data by year
19 school years from 2007/08 to 2025/26.
| Year | Total | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | 44 | 22 | 22 |
| 2024/25 | 34 | 16 | 18 |
| 2023/24 | 25 | 19 | 6 |
| 2022/23 | 14 | 10 | 4 |
| 2021/22 | 30 | 10 | 20 |
| 2020/21 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| 2019/20 | 22 | 12 | 10 |
| 2018/19 | 22 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017/18 | 28 | 16 | 12 |
| 2016/17 | 26 | 13 | 13 |
| 2015/16 | 20 | 5 | 15 |
| 2014/15 | 25 | 9 | 16 |
| 2013/14 | 26 | 12 | 14 |
| 2012/13 | 20 | 8 | 12 |
| 2011/12 | 21 | 9 | 12 |
| 2010/11 | 21 | 12 | 9 |
| 2009/10 | 20 | 9 | 11 |
| 2008/09 | 19 | 10 | 9 |
| 2007/08 | 16 | 5 | 11 |