THERE was nothing unlucky about Friday September 13 for Limerick Educate Together Secondary School as students, staff, parents and the school’s board of management were welcomed into a new state-of-the-art school building.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD, together with Minister of State for the OPW, Kieran O’Donnell, officially opened the new Limerick ETSS school building and unveiled a plaque at an event attended by the school community, public representatives and the school’s patron, Educate Together.
Eoin Shinners, Limerick ETSS school principal said, “Today marks an incredible milestone for the school community. The new campus is truly spectacular but that said, our amazing school has grown and developed through the hard work, dedication and commitment of our staff, parents and students since we opened in 2018. We are delighted to be finally located in our permanent home here in Castletroy and we look forward to becoming a real focal point for the community in the years to come.”
This marks a significant milestone for the Limerick ETSS school community which has operated since it first opened its doors to students in temporary accommodation on a premises at the old Salesian school in Fernbank in 2018.
In keeping with the occasion, three Salesian Sisters were invited to the event to unveil a plaque in memory of the school’s time in the old Salesian school from 2018-2023.
The Salesian Sisters gifted the school a bell, fittingly named the ‘Fernbank Bell’, which now sits proudly on the wall adjacent to the main school entrance.
The new building is located on a premises in the townland of Towlerton. It is part three-storey, part two-storey, 1000 pupil building with a four special class facility, large outdoor learning courtyard, sports hall with a fitness suite and gender-neutral toilets throughout the complex.
This state-of-the-art school was designed by Reddy Architecture & Urbanism with JJ Rhatigan as the building contractor.
Educate Together has had a presence in Limerick since the late 1980s; Limerick School Project opened in and Limerick Educate Together National School opened in 2004.
In 2015, A group of parents in Limerick launched a campaign for an Educate Together second-level school for the city and their vision was realised after a successful campaign a number of years later.
Limerick ETSS opened in with 56 students and 12 staff initially. The school moved into its new building with 710 students, 84 school staff and a therapy this week. It is expected that the school’s enrolment will eventually reach 1,000 students.
