WATCH: Junior infants reveal 'playing with friends and toys' is what they love about school

IT WAS a summer of record rainfall but it wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of junior infants across Limerick City and County as thousands of students started back and are starting school for the very first time this week. 

As summer drew to a close, school bags were packed, new stationary bought and the brand new uniform folded neatly, ready to be worn. 

As young as four-years-old, these children will embark on a new period of learning and growth as they take their seats in their new classroom and make new friends.

Bohermore National School was a hive of activity as junior infants finished up small break and returned to their classroom after playing in the yard on their first day in the school. 

Piper, aged five, said that "playing with friends and toys" is her favourite thing about school.

Danny, who is also five, added that: "playing with all my friends, I've loads of friends".

Maeve smiled: "when it's near home time like now". 

In Doon Convent National School, which is 23km from Bohermore, Principal Derek Walsh has been busy as the school prepares to open a brand new unit.

"It's certainly back-to-school and it has been a terrible summer for the poor children with the bad weather but they are delighted to come back-to-school today and we saw happy faces coming in. 

"Our new junior infants are in with Miss Ryan. We have 17 junior infants and we're opening a new autistic unit this year in which we have three junior infants in it," he added. 

Riley, who is from Doon told the Limerick Leader that "going outside" is her favourite thing to do at school. 

"My favourite thing is the dolls, I like feeding them" Olivia explained as she and her classmates played with toys in the colourful classroom. 

"Playing with the dolls and the kitchen," five year old Alice revealed. 

Robbie, who is from Oola, loves hurling and said that "Daragh O'Donovan" is his favourite hurler.