St Fergus Primary School
School Details
Location
About
St. Fergus’ National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Glin, overlooking the Shannon Estuary in West Limerick. The school provides a safe, healthy and inclusive environment for children to develop academically, socially and emotionally. With a team of eight teachers, specialist resource staff and several Special Needs Assistants, the school delivers a child‑centred curriculum that supports learners of all abilities, including dedicated provision for pupils with autism and additional learning needs. The school’s facilities have been continually upgraded to meet modern standards. A 1989 extension added a spacious school hall, kitchen, offices and extra classrooms, while a stage and sound system were installed in 2001 to enhance performances and community events. Classrooms benefit from high‑ventilation windows, new furniture, blinds and flooring, and the school day runs from 9.20 am to 3.05 pm with supervised breaks. The ethos emphasises individual care, encouraging each child to reach their full potential in a nurturing setting.
History
St. Fergus’ National School opened its doors in 1963, replacing the original National School built in 1843 on The Mall. Initially operating as two separate entities – St. Fergus Junior School and St. Fergus Senior School – the school housed six classrooms, employed six teachers and enrolled 228 pupils. In 1967 the nearby Ballygoughlin National School was amalgamated, adding 43 pupils and introducing a school‑bus service. A major extension in 1989, opened by Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich, provided a hall, kitchen, toilets and offices; a stage and sound system were added in 2001. The junior and senior schools merged in 1999, creating a unified primary school. Recent improvements include a 2005 refurbishment with new furniture and flooring, a 2009 re‑organisation of classroom spaces to accommodate the New Primary Curriculum, and the installation of high‑ventilation windows throughout the school.