Minister Foley views new school plans in Carraig na bhFear
There was great excitement in Scoil an Athar Tadhg in Carraig na bhFear as Minister for Education Norma Foley TD called to see the children in their soonto-be-replaced school building last Friday.
The new school site, adjacent to CLG Carraig na bhFear pitches, is set to be complete in July, so children can expect to be in their new school building for the coming autumn term.
Minister Foley, with Padraig O’Sullivan TD, Colm Burke TD and Cllr Sheila O’Callaghan, was greeted by Board of Management chairperson, Mr Oliver Manley; school principal, Mr Cormac Duggan and deputy principal, Mr Philip O’Brien. Board of management members Kathleen Murphy and Carmel O’Keeffe along with Tom Howard, chairperson of Carraig na bhFear Community Council, were also present.
Mr. Manley presented the layout plans of the new school to Minister Foley, while members of the school’s Student Council greeted her with local Gaelic poet Tadhg Ó Donnachadha’s famed ‘Fáilte is daichead.’
Sophia Manley invited Minister Foley to view the work being done in the special classes in An Neidín. Minister Foley engaged with the children and complimented the work of a very committed staff.
POETRY HERITAGE HONOURED
Having viewed a display in honour of the late Mr Dermot G O’Driscoll, former principal of the school, Mr Duggan told the Minister of the rich poetic history associated with the Carraig na bhFear area, a heritage lauded by President Michael D Higgíns ten years ago on a school visit when he said Carraig na bhFear residents could proudly say, “I come from a place where we honour poets.”
Three young poets, Sinéad O’Brien, Izabella Sirr and Emma Cashman who won prizes at a recently held poetry competition held in conjunction with Carraig na bhFear Community Council, read their poems for the Minister.
Minister Foley derived great satisfaction from the words of the young poets, herself being a former English teacher in Carrigtwohill before entering national politics. She spoke fondly of her time as an English teacher in Cork and her love of the profession. She complimented the teaching, SNA and support staff in the school for their dedication to the children in such challenging times, as recently experienced throughout Covid.
While addressing the children, the Minister emphasised the importance of belonging and the pride and respect for each other which was evident, even in such a short visit to the children in An Neidín. Minister Foley answered some tricky questions from the children, even telling a sixth-class pupil that she differed from the recently expressed views of President Higgins in relation to homework.
Sixth class pupil Ciarán Tattan and Junior Infant Pippa Cashman presented Minister Foley with flowers and the school CD which previously raised more than €28,000 for Marymount Hospice.