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St. Martin’s Training Centre Celebrates 50 Years in Limerick St. Martin’s Training Centre Celebrates 50 Years in Limerick

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St. Martin’s Centre Celebrates 50 Years of Changing Young Lives in Limerick

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St. Martin’s Centre – pictured above is President Mary Robinson visiting St Martins Centre in Autumn 1993. Pictured Sr Mary Carmel O’Donoghue (on Presidents right), founder of St Martins Centre.

St. Martin’s Centre celebrate 50th anniversary with an event at Learning Hub Limerick on Friday, September 4, 2026

Past trainees Sharon Fitzgerald, Philly Williams, and Jennifer Bowman at St. Martin’s Centre Training Centre in the mid 80’s

St. Martin’s Centre will mark its 50th anniversary with a special celebratory event at Learning Hub Limerick on Friday, September 4, 2026 and is inviting everyone who has worked at, or was trained at the centre, to join the celebrations of St. Martin’s long lasting legacy training young people and changing lives. 

Everyone is welcome!

The centre was established in November 1976 by Sr. Mary Carmel O’Donoghue, a member of the Salesian Sisters community in Fernbank, North Circular Road. Sr. Mary Carmel O’Donoghue comes from O’Connell Avenue in Limerick city centre. The centre’s beginnings were modest, with the first classes taking place in a garage on Francis Street, Limerick, on the site now occupied by the Tesco shopping mall at Arthur’s Quay.


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The vision was simple but ambitious, to provide early school leavers with opportunities for further education, training and personal development.

From the outset, St. Martin’s Centre welcomed young people from across Limerick, including members of the Travelling community. Despite limited resources, Sr. Mary Carmel worked tirelessly to secure support from FÁS and Limerick City VEC. Both organisations played an important role in helping the centre expand its programmes and increase the skills and opportunities available to its trainees.

St. Martin’s Centre Training Centre
From a Francis Street garage to five decades of opportunity, St Martin’s changed young peoples lives. Pictured is Claire Rainsford who worked in administration at St Martins (far right) with youths outside the building in 1993.

In its early years, the centre catered for groups of young people. One programme supported those aged between 12 and 15 for whom large primary-school classes had proved challenging. Students followed a Sixth Class curriculum designed to build confidence and prepare them for further training.

Practical training was at the heart of the centre’s work, with young people developing skills in woodwork, metalwork, sewing, industrial knitting, catering and computers. Education was complemented by swimming lessons, games and outdoor activities, while trips abroad provided further opportunities for learning and new experiences. The young people themselves also took part in fundraising activities to help make these trips possible.

As numbers increased, the original Francis Street premises quickly became too small and basic. In 1982, following fundraising efforts, careful consideration and the establishment of a professional Board of Directors, a new property at The Rectory on New Road, Thomondgate, was purchased and became the new home of St. Martin’s Centre.

The centre continued its FÁS and VEC programmes until the summer of 2002, when the Salesian Sisters withdrew from management. Sr. Mary Carmel, having trained in London as an Arts Therapist, went on to establish a new project, The Blue Box.

The premises, however, continued to play an important role in supporting young people outside the traditional classroom setting and became known as Learning Hub Limerick in September 2006. Under new management, the work continues to this day, with the buildings and grounds generously donated by the St Martin’s Centre Trust and Salesian Order and held in an educational trust.

The 50th anniversary celebration will honour the vision and dedication of Sr. Mary Carmel and the many staff members, volunteers and young people who helped shape the centre over the decades.

St. Martin’s Centre Training Centre
In 1982, following fundraising efforts, a new property at The Rectory on New Road, Thomondgate became the new home of St. Martin’s Centre. Pictured in 1986, Myra Butler (in white, far right) and Eileen Ryan (in pink, far left) worked with 12 to 15 year olds.

A special service of remembrance will also be held for former trainees and staff members who have passed away, acknowledging the contribution they made to the St. Martin’s Centre story.

The legacy is fondly remembered by former trainees. Among those reflecting on the centre’s lasting impact is former trainee Philly Williams, who spoke on behalf of a group of Limerick people who received training there as young people.

“We’d just like to take a moment to thank some very special people who made such a difference to our lives through St Martin’s Centre,” said Philly.

“Founded by the wonderful Sister Mary Carmel, St Martin’s gave so many of us opportunities, support and memories we will never forget.”

Philly also paid tribute to the staff who supported generations of young people, including Sister Theresa, Ms Rainsford, Betty Walsh, John Fitzgerald and Eileen Ryan.

“We have such happy memories of our time there, with plenty of laughs, jokes and great times,” she said.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for everything you did for us and for making those years so special. We want to thank you for everything you have done for all of us.”

St. Martin’s Centre Training Centre
Willie O’Dea presenting an award to a student in the early 80’s.

Fifty years after its humble beginnings in a Francis Street garage, the St. Martin’s Centre legacy remains rooted in the same principle that inspired its foundation — giving young people the confidence, skills and opportunities to build a brighter future.

Learning Hub Limerick (formerly St Martin’s Centre) is located at Killeely House, New Road, Thomondgate, Limerick, V94 YT26, Ireland.

Education was complemented by swimming lessons, games and outdoor activities, while trips abroad provided further opportunities for learning and new experiences. A group of youths pictured in 2000. Woodwork teacher Pat Rainsford (in white shirt) pictured far right and John Fitzgerald, (in striped green and white shirt), pictured far left, who worked as a chef at the centre.

About Learning Hub Limerick

The Learning Hub works in partnership with parents, education providers, statutory agencies and the wider Limerick community to provide a safe, welcoming and inspiring learning environment where young people can reach their true potential.

The building dates back to c.1790-1810. In the latter half of the twentieth century, the building became known as St Martin’s Centre following its acquisition by the Salesian Order. Today, it is home to Learning Hub Limerick, which was established in September 2006. The organisation was founded to work collaboratively with local schools and education providers, families, and young people to address the significant levels of educational disadvantage and early school leaving affecting communities on the northside of Limerick city. Its central focus is on developing and delivering practical, solution-oriented initiatives that support young people’s educational opportunities and long-term development.

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