LIMERICK College of Further Education (LCFE), formerly Limerick Senior College, has undergone many changes in recent times. To celebrate a new building project, a new strategic plan 2009-2012 and a new College name, with a logo to match, the College hosted an event recently where the keynote speakers were Minister of State, Peter Power and the Chairman of the City of Limerick VEC, Councillor Kieran O’Hanlon. The College Director, Mr Paul Patton, also addressed the audience and explained the many new changes undergone.
The Strategic Plan outlines details of definitive forward plans for the College, at a time when learners numbers are at an all-time high. This trend is predicted to continue. The College was fortunate enough to obtain an additional 170 places from the DES for this year, as well as €500,000 for much-needed building works. Internal refurbishment of the College has also greatly enhanced the appearance and atmosphere within.
The logo, designed by Neville Design, reflects the distinctive Tuscan columns at the front of the College, and gives a modern College an old-world twist, reflecting as it does the late Georgian architecture of the College, constructed in 1811.
Limerick College of Education has had a varied history, in terms of being either a medical or educational institution at different points in time. It was once the County Home, a sanatorium for TB victims in the 1950’s and became the School of Commerce in the early 1960’s. This school was for post-primary pupils and secretarial learners. The early 1990’s saw the phasing out of the post-primary school and the introduction of a wider variety of post-leaving certificate courses. Nowadays, it has evolved into a modern college providing a multitude of quality, accredited further education courses with 1204 day learners and 2500 night learners. It is the largest provider of Further Education in the Mid West region.
