New Gaelscoil building in Clonakilty finally gets the go-ahead
THERE was good news for Clonakilty this week with the announcement that An Bórd Pleanála has granted planning permission for the immediate construction of a new purpose-built Gaelscoil in the town.
Since 1994, when the Gaelscoil started with 20 pupils and Carmel Nic Airt, as the sole teacher, it has been housed in various rented buildings around Clonakilty.
It has expanded over the years and now has almost 250 pupils on the roll and over 20 staff.
Welcoming the news, Príomhoide Carmel Nic Airt, who has been principal since 1994, said: ‘This is a great and historic day for the pupils, parents and staff of An Gaelscoil.
‘At last, we can proceed with the building of a proper purpose-build school building that will be suitable for the needs of the children and staff with all the facilities that they should have had years ago as a right.
‘I want to pay tribute and say a sincere “Go raibh maith agat”, to the families who, through the many hard years, supported our school when we had far from ideal conditions for their children.
‘Likewise, I want to salute all our staff, both current and past, whose patience in often very difficult working conditions, I commend again today.
‘Collectively, we have over the last 18 years provided top class primary school, eduction through the medium of the Irish language to boys and girls from the Clonakilty area. It is ironic today that there are young students enrolled in our school whose parents were here in the early years. We also have one teacher on our staff who attended here as a pupil. That gives you an idea of how long we have waited for this day, and also the loyalty and support we have always had from the community.
‘Over the years, we have had a number of false dawns, particularly around election times, when politicians and candidates gave us false information. These experiences made us very wary of such announcements. But today is the real thing!
‘On behalf of everyone at the Gaelscoil, I want to thank Clonakilty Town Council who granted the planning condition some months ago, and An Bórd Pleanála who today gave us the best news we’ve had in 18 years.
‘We are now moving forward as we prepare to commence the building of An Gaelscoil Nua at the site at Fernhill Road which has been sitting there waiting for it for the last seven years.
‘The children, families and staff of An Gaelscoil will be delighted, and the taxpayers of the country will be relieved to know that their money will no longer to expended on rented private properties, thankful through we are to have had those over the years.’
Clonakilty Mayor, Cllr Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin welcomed this week’s news that An Bórd Pleánala has granted planning permission for the construction of a new purpose-built Gaelscoil school building in the town.
The Mayor (who works as the Rúnaí Scoile – School Secretary at the Gaelscoil) said: ‘There will be a widespread “Céad Míle Fáilte” for today's news that after 18 years and several moves in various rented properties around Clonakilty, the Gaelscoil, has at last been granted planning permission to build a proper, purpose built school building.
‘I want to pay tribute to all involved who have been associated with An Gaelscoil since it opened in September 1994, with 20 pupils and Carmel Nic Airt, as the sole teacher.
‘Now with almost 250 pupils on the roll and over 20 staff, tribute has to be paid to the Príomhoide, Carmel Nic Airt who has persevered in spite of many challenges and obstacles, to ensure that the daltaí have always received a top class education. Likewise the Múinteoirí who worked in difficult conditions.
‘Most of all, this announcement is good for the children and families who, despite so many obstacles over the years, have always believed in and supported the school and the staff, to make the best out of often impossible situations.
‘Seven years ago, the Dept of Education secured a site at Fernhill Road, but it is only now, at long last that the building is about to start. I extend mo comhgháirdeas to all involved and wish the Gaelscoil continued success.’
