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University of Limerick Teddy Bear Hospital hosts 700 primary school students for heartwarming intiative

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University of Limerick Teddy Bear Hospital 2026 hosts 700 primary school students for heartwarming intiative. Bronagh, Theodora and Fionn from Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh, Castletroy pictured with Ashley Meelu and Brittany Lau, students in UL’s School of Medicine and co-presidents of UL’s Teddy Bear Hospital, at University of Limerick’s Teddy Bear Hospital.Pic Arthur Ellis

The University of Limerick Teddy Bear Hospital 2026 hosted 700 primary school students from 13 schools across to meet with students from UL’s School of Medicine

The University of Limerick Teddy Bear Hospital 2026 hosted 700 primary school students from 13 schools across to meet with students from UL’s School of Medicine
Logan from Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh, Castletroy, pictured with 2nd year Student Eva Baumann at University of Limerick’s Teddy Bear Hospital. Pic Arthur Ellis

The 2026 Teddy Bear Hospital at University of Limerick welcomed 700 primary school students from 13 schools across Limerick as the pupils got to meet with students from the UL School of Medicine.

The UL Teddy Bear Hospital is a unique and interactive initiative that aims to alleviate childhood anxiety surrounding hospitals and doctors, and trains medical students to develop empathy and compassion in a fun way with children.

The event welcomed the primary school children, typically aged between four and six, who attended the Teddy Bear Hospital with their own stuffed toy as the “patient” for the day.


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Organised by 230 volunteers, the medical students stepped into the role of doctors, guiding the children through a series of interactive, role-play scenarios that simulate common healthcare encounters.

Vinoj Kehalwathugoda, UL, Minal, Debbie and Victoria, Salesians Primary School Limerick and Pritika Thevasingha, UL student, at University of Limerick’s Teddy Bear Hospital. Pic Arthur Ellis

The children got a chance to take blood pressure and use stethoscopes at the Vital Signs Station, learned proper handwashing at the Hand Hygiene Station, basic wound care at the First Aid Station and ‘scan’ their teddies for broken bones at the X-ray Station. At the pharmacy station, the children got to fill “paw-scriptions” with coloured balls instead of medicine, bringing a playful twist to the process.

One of the standout attractions was the ambulance station run by students from UL’s Paramedic Studies programme, where the children got a tour inside the vehicle and saw things from the perspective of the emergency responders.

Jack, Callum, Harry, Nacy and Zoe, Junior and Senior Infants from Cloverfield National School Dromkeen Co Limerick pictured at University of Limerick’s Teddy Bear Hospital. Pic Arthur Ellis
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