History
History of the School / Stair na Scoile
OUR CBS SCHOOL
The Start
On June 26th 1816 three Christian Brothers arrived in Limerick to set up a school. They had been invited by the bishop of Limerick, Dr. Touhy. They lived in a rented house in Hill’ s Lane. One year later they moved to a house in Denmark Street. After another year they moved to 44 Clare St.
The Brothers had been teaching in Charlotte’s quay but in 1821 the Brothers bought the old protestant school in Clare Street and had 648 pupils in a few weeks.
New Premises
The Brothers had been looking around for a new site for a school and monastery. In 1825 they bought the fields in Sexton Street. Building started immediately. In June 1827 the Brothers moved to the new monastery in Sexton Street. One year later the boys moved when the new school was opened. This is the building on Roxboro Road.
The Plague
In 1832 the plague, the Asiatic Cholera, attacked the city. The school was turned into a hospitatl from May to October and the Brothers helped in looking after the sicki and dying. Over 525 patients were looked after in the school and 225 of them died. During the cholera food and fuel was scarce in the city as people from the country side would not travel into the city in case they caught the plague.
Some Interesting Stories
In these early years there may have been over 220 boys in a classroom learning everything by rote. It was then decided to build other schools such as St. Munchin’s and a school in Quay Lane.
The old courthouse was bought as part of the new school and one of Ireland’s most famous court cases, the trial of the Colleen Ban, took place there and the judge’s chair was given to the Brothers.
Our Wall
In 1863 the railway company donated some more land to the Brothers and the wall is built. This stone wall is still the boundary around our school.
Following tradition of Edmund Rice
Many of the boys in Limerick at that time were very poor and so the Brothers set up a clothes making room to give them proper clothes for coming to school. On first Holy Communion morning all the boys were given a special breakfast in the school.
The Orphanage
The tall stone building at the front of the school was built originally as an orphanage. Building started in 1872 and today it looks as impressive as when it was first built. This building was used as an orphanage until 1928. Then the orphans were moved to a new building in the town of Glin. The tall stone building was then used for pupils of the primary school.
Hungarian Refugees
In 1957 the people of Hungary tried to make their country free from communist control. There was much fighting and some people escaped and came to Ireland. For a number of months 34 Hungarians were looked after at the CBS.
CBS Pipe Band
In 1963 the CBS pipe band started. Over the years many boys have learned their music from this great band. Today some of the Primary school students still are members. They learn the pipes and drums and take part in many parades and charity events.
New Primary School
Our new school was opened in 1966 by the President of Ireland, Eamon de Valera. The building was a very strange looking zig zag shape and over 1500 pupils in the 24 classrooms. The building was up on large cement pillars so that as much space as possible could be available. The school was named Iosagain which means the baby Jesus. Today there are no Christian Brothers in the school but the school still continues the great Christian Brother traditions of learing, sport, culture and being proud of our city and country.
Opening of Computer Room
In 1994 the Mayor, Cllr. Jan O Sullivan, opened the computer room which had been set up by the work of the teachers and parents' council through fundraising.
Visit of the President 2006
In 2006 President Mary Robinson visited the school as part of the celebrations for the Beatification of Edmund Rice. She spoke to all the students and parents and visited the new computer room and parents' room. Here she met other pupils and spoke to them about school life.
 Opening Day 1966 |
 Opening Day 1966 |
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