Our History

Down Syndrome Ireland started supporting families in 1971. Down Syndrome Limerick is an associated branch of Down Syndrome Ireland and has been operating from its current location in Castletroy since 2008.

Governance, fundraising and management of the centre is entirely voluntary.  Fundraising goes towards the provision of services to families and maintenance of the facility.  Both the Management Committee, fundraising committees and club supervisors all are volunteers.

Currently we have two Speech and Language Therapists and one Occupational Therapist working with us to provide much needed therapies to our members. We also provide a two year adult literacy course to adults with Down syndrome, called Latch-On.  We were the first branch in Ireland to offer the course.  We will hopefully be expanding the programme in 2021 to include another two modules – MOTE and the Work Skills programme.  We also work with employers in the region to secure work placements and employment opportunities for our members.

We provide support to schools for children with Down syndrome and pre-school, primary and secondary level. We provide Lámh and Numicon training to teachers and SNAs. Transition year students are often involved in projects and volunteering with us.

Currently we have almost 200 members registered with the branch.