New Gaelcholáiste for Carrigaline

Leagan Gaeilge

After two years of campaigning the people of Carrigaline have great cause for celebration, with the announcement that provisional recognition has been granted for the new Gaelcholáiste, (Irish) due to open its doors in 2012. The opening of this school will make it the biggest Irish campus of its kind, with an all-Irish primary and secondary school along with a school for children with special needs all on one site.

GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. welcome the Department's decision to purchase a 21 acre site for the school in Ballinrea, Carrigaline. The great news was received last weekend by the Gaelcholáiste's founding committee from local TD Michael McGrath.

Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, C.E.O. of the organisation stated that "this is a very positive decision that ensures that parents and children in Carrigaline and the surrounding areas will have the opportunity to avail of Irish-medium education. GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. would like to congratulate the founding committee on their achievement and the Department of Education and Skills on recognising the need and parents' demand for Irish-medium education".
The VEC has agreed to patron the Gaelcholáiste and there are plans to develop the site so that it will have the facility to cater for up to 700 students. Over 460 pupils have already been enrolled by their parents in the new school, according to the founding committee's chairman, Noel O'Regan, which confirms that Irish-medium education remains a very strong educational system of choice in the community.

Applications are welcome from parents of children attending both Irish and English speaking primary schools. Children coming from English speaking primary schools will be given extra help at the beginning of the school year if they require it. "We will do our best to ensure our Gaelcholáiste will be open to all children in the area finishing their primary education" said Mr. O'Regan.

On behalf of the founding committee Mr O'Regan thanked all those involved in the project to date including Batt O'Keeffe, TD (during his term as Minister for Education), Barry Cogan, former TD and Barra O'Briain, Chairman of Cork VEC.