SCHOOLS OFFICIALLY OPEN TO FANTASTIC FANFARE
Pupils Aimee Merrigan and Brian Kuleszko cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the Edmund Rice Senior School. The senior school, along with the Catherine McAuley Junior School, was officially opened to fantastic fanfare at a well-attended ceremony on Friday. The pupils are pictured with Paul Kehoe TD, Edmund Rice Senior School principal Brian McMahon, Bishop Denis Brennan, Mgr Joe McGrath and Brendan Howlin TD.
THE FANTASTIC new primary schools in New Ross were officially opened in glorious sunshine on Friday, on a proud day for the many people who battled to get the school built over three decades.
Hundreds of parents, former and present staff and board of management members attended the event at the Catherine McAuley junior school and Edmund Rice senior school in Castlemoyle where TDs Paul Kehoe and Brendan Howlin addressed the pupils. Both TDs praised principal Brian MacMahon and everyone involved in making the dream of a state-of-the-art school for the children of New Ross, a reality, 22 years after it was first applied for.
These included former Junior Minister and current CEO of the Dunbrody Visitor Centre Sean Connick, who was instrumental in getting the site and the school onto the building list, and members of the Michael Street, St Jospeh’s and CBS boards of management.
Bishop Denis Brennan, accompanied by Monsignor Joe McGrath, blessed the school and pupils Jake Purcell and Aoife Dreelan, who had perfect attendance records, cut the ribbon opening the school. A commemorative plaque was unveiled and 6th and 2nd class pupils enteratined the crowd.
Afterwards everyone went up to the senior school where pupils stood in a guard of honour. A tape cutting ceremony was held and the school choir entertained the guests. Everyone enjoyed a fantastic spread which included fresh Wexford strawberries and ice cream for the children.
Representatives of the schools’ builders Sammon Construction and architects NMA Associates, under project manager Gavin Arnold, who oversaw the construction of Catherine McAuley and Edmund Rice school buildings, were in attendance.
The school opened to 660 very excited pupils in March. The bright, ultra modern two-storey buildings boast the latest technology. Mr MacMahon, who is due to retire this summer after 43 years teaching, said despite delays, the school is now open for generations of New Ross children.