DELIGHT AS SOD IS TURNED FOR NEW GAELSCOIL

School’s 22-year wait for permanent home is coming to an end

GAELSCOIL Chill Mhantáin’s long search for a permanent home reached a milestone moment on Thursday with the official sod-turning for the new school taking place at Merrymeeting.

The Gaelscoil is currently located on the grounds of the former Abbey Community College in Wicklow town and the new school will be located adjacent to St Coen’s National School in Rathnew, with both schools sharing the 2.7 acre site.

Principal Seán Ó Briain, school board members, staff members and pupils were all present for the sod turning.

The school was founded in 1996 and has been on the hunt for a permanent home ever since.

Mr Ó Briain said: ‘We have been waiting for 22 years for a permanent home so this is a very exciting time for everyone.

‘It has been a long journey and I would like to thank everyone for their combined efforts down through the years.

‘It hasn’t been easy and it involved a lot of hard work.’

Mr Ó Briain continued: ‘We have been in a few different locations over the years so it’s great to see construction starting on a permanent home for everyone involved.’

Construction on the new school has already started and it is hoped it will be complete by February of 2020. When complete, the school will consist of 16 classrooms, with the potential to accommodate more than 400 students.

Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin pupils Aoife O’Sullivan, Enan Kearney, Orla Reville and Oisín Kearney at the sod-turning.

RIGHT: Site manager Eamonn Nolan, Nora Bhreathnach, Gearóidín Ní Loingsigh, Katie Reville, Jan Kearney, contracts manager Jim Brogan and principal Seán Ó Briain. Front: Orla Reville, Aoife O’Sullivan, Enan Kearney and Oisín Kearney.