'Difficult days' ahead for students as language school closes in Limerick

The Limerick Language Centre on Mallow Street has now closed. Picture: Manon Gilbart

A language school has closed down in Limerick, an "extremely difficult moment" after welcoming students from around the world for more than 35 years.

Limerick Language Centre, located on Mallow St, have announced the closure, which is in effect from this Monday.

"It is with deep sadness that we confirm that Limerick Language Centre will close its operations from Monday, 31 September 2026, following the Centre's removal from the ILEP list", the school said in a statement.

The Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) is an official data base which approves courses for students seeking study visas, who are not from the European Economic Area (EEA).

The school said their priority was now to support students through the next steps.

"Students in our system covered by the applicable Learner Protection arrangements, including enrolled and pre-enrolled students, have had their details provided for the Learner Protection access.

"We have been working with the provider since Friday to organise the next steps and facilitate transfers to another suitable education provider as quickly as possible," they said.

They have urged students not to contact the provider directly at this stage.

"Due to the large number of students involved we have been advised that the complete process may take up to three weeks," the school warned.

"Our staff are deeply sorry for what has happened. 

"Even while facing uncertainty themselves, our team has continued working to support our students throughout these difficult days. 

"We will continue assisting our students through this transition and will share confirmed information as it becomes available," they added.

The Limerick Language Centre is the second language school to close in Limerick in recent months, after the Student Campus English school on Patrick St closed down without notice in June.

At the time, students protested to ask the Government to urgently intervene as they were concerned about their immigration status and needed to be transferred to another language school to be eligible to remain in the country.

A High Court hearing heard in August that the Limerick Language Centre could face closure if not restored to the ELIP programme.