Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board recently marked the official opening of Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh’s brand new school campus at Clare Street in Limerick City. The multi-million-euro custom-designed building marks a new chapter in the all-Irish co-educational community college’s history, providing students with a state-of-the-art learning campus. The opening was undertaken by Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD. The event was also attended Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland, Patrick O’Donovan, the school community and other invited guests, including past pupil and Paris 2024 Paralympics champion, Róisín Ní Riain.
Minister Foley is welcomed by students at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh.
The new 8,000m² school, which accommodates 750 students, is located on the former Kerry Group site on Clare Street and involved an investment of more than €28 million by the school’s patron Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, funded by the Department of Education’s Capital Programme for Post-Primary Schools.
Speaking at today’s official opening, Minister Foley said: “What a truly wonderful welcome from the Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh school community here today. Thank you to the students who led me on a guided tour of this state-of-the-art new campus and to the students who spoke so passionately to me about their school and some of the exciting new facilities they’ve been enjoying, including the Fitness Suite, the Science Lab, the Home Economics Room and the Art Room. This exciting new development is an endorsement of the school community for their tireless commitment, passion, and endeavour to educating the young people of Limerick and the region through the medium of Irish.”
Róisín Ní Riain and her sisters Saibh, Sorcha and Maedbh who are students at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh.
The new campus boasts a range of cutting-edge facilities, including:
- Sustainable Design: The campus is designed to minimise its environmental impact and maximise energy efficiency.
- State-of-the-Art Technology: Every classroom is equipped with the latest technology to support interactive teaching, learning and assessment with a focus on each student’s personalised learning journey.
- Creative and Collaborative Spaces: The campus features numerous collaborative spaces where students can work together on projects, engage in discussions, and express their creativity.
- Extensive Sports Facilities: The campus includes a fully-equipped sports hall, a gymnasium, and outdoor all-weather playing fields to support the school’s strong sporting tradition.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan, Acting Chief Executive of Limerick and Clare ETB, Donncha O’Treasaigh, Minister Norma Foley, Róisín Ní Riain and Principal of Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh Kevin Ó Raghallaigh at the unveiling of the school plaque.
Acting Chief Executive, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, and Founding Principal of the school, Donncha Ó Treasaigh said: “We are delighted to share in the celebration of this special day in the history of the Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh school community. This new city-centre campus is an exemplar of partnership involving key stakeholders, including the Department of Education, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and Limerick City and County Council, all working in harmony to reimagine a city centre space to deliver such a landmark building that we can all be so proud of. The location of this campus was important for this college which serves the region and an important consideration the ETB emphasised in its own commitment to Limerick City.”
The new school campus features 70 teaching spaces including five Science Laboratories, two Home Economics Rooms, an Art and Textiles Room, Graphics Room, two Construction Studies Rooms, a Technology Room, a Multimedia Room, together with a PE Hall, General Classrooms, Staff Room, a range of External Play Areas including an Astroturf playing space, ancillary and support facilities.
Students showing Minister Foley around their new school campus.
Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh Principal, Kevin Ó Raghallaigh, said: “Since its establishment in 2006, Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh students have been achieving excellence in languages, the arts, science, technology, traditional Irish music, and sport. Students have always been at the heart of our school. Many talented athletes are alumni of the school, including Paris 2024 champion Róisín Ní Riain who we are delighted to welcome back to the school today. We have students all over the world on various scholarships and that is a great source of pride for us. Our students are the people who inspire us as educators, and we should never forget that everything we do is for the benefit of those students.”
Students making a presentation to Minister Foley.
The Design Team for the state-of-the-art new building was headed up by Thompson Architects and included Rogerson Reddan, Downes & Associates, Don O’Malley & Partners, and Integrated Risk Solutions. The main contractor for the project was Limerick company Conack Construction. Work commenced on site in 2022 and was completed for handover in January this year.
Look back at all of the excitement from the official opening day below:
Share this on...