Community spirit keeps Limerick preschool open after three decades

A cornerstone of early education in Killeedy is entering a new chapter, as the local community-run Montessori continues to thrive more than 30 years after first opening its doors.

Last weekend, the preschool celebrated its official reopening, with Minister Patrick O'Donovan in attendance alonw with Limerick City and County Councillors Adam Teskey, Tom Ruddle, and Michael Collins.

Locals turned out in force for the happy occasion, which featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches from the committee, marking the next chapter in the school’s future.

Established over three decades ago, the Montessori has long been woven into the fabric of the parish. Originally founded by a committee before being run privately, the preschool was brought back under community ownership from the Limerick Diocese two years ago, securing its future for generations to come.

The building itself has deep local roots. Once a girls’ national school, it remains a hub of education and community life. The current committee now hopes to further develop the site with the support of the Limerick City and County Council, which provided initial start-up funding.

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“When the opportunity came up to purchase it, the community came together,” explained committee member Theresa Casey, who is part of the four-person team now managing the facility. “The owner of the business at the time had gone to renew the lease from the Diocese, but the school was forced to close.

The committee were then given the chance to buy the property back for a nominal fee of €10,000. Council funding was used to buy essential equipment, and through a series of fundraisers and an iDonate page, we raised the money to purchase the building. Since then, it’s been run entirely on a not-for-profit basis, with any profit going straight back into the preschool.”

In the years since becoming community-led, the Montessori has gone from strength to strength. “The preschool is absolutely flying,” said Theresa.

“It’s at full capacity, it’s thriving, there’s even a waiting list.”

Looking ahead, the committee has big ambitions for the future. Plans include creating a sensory playground, a small community library, and an outdoor room for after-school activities.

“The indoor space isn’t really suitable for the after-schoolers at the moment," Theresa said, “so we’re hoping to develop that side of it to make it a proper community facility.”

While the preschool is at a high point, the committee remains realistic about the challenges ahead.

“Our goal is simple,” said Theresa.

“We want to keep developing it for the community, for the children here now, and for those who’ll come after them.”