What a way to start the new year for the hundreds of pupils of Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh — a span new school designed to inspire, educate and accommodate. The beginning of a new era for the school commenced on Monday when they moved into their new building at Millars’ Lane.
The new school, which will be one of the biggest primary schools in Ireland operating through the medium of Irish, can accommodate up to 720 pupils. The new school building contains 24 classrooms, five support rooms, library, staff room, two multi-purpose rooms, offices, suitable playing areas as well as parking facilities.
Father Tadhg Quinn, the Parish Priest of St John the Apostles Parish, Knocknacarra visited the school on the day and blessed the school building. Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh will celebrate 25 years since its foundation later this year. As part of its activities to mark this significant milestone it is intended that the new school will be officially opened at that juncture.
Speaking this week, school principal Dairíona Nic Con Iomaire said this marks another significant milestone in the short history of Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh. “Commencing in 1993 with only 20 pupils we have grown over the years to cater for the increasing demand of education through the medium of the Irish in Knocknacarra.
“This new school, which is the first phase in the development of Campus Mhic Amhlaigh, will not alone be of benefit to the school community in keeping abreast with the demands of the school but it will also enable us to provide additional support in promoting the Irish language in the wider community, which is the only Gaeltacht area in Ireland located in a suburban area”.
Chairperson of the Board of Management Seán Ó Leidhinn said this was certainly a great day for our school community and indeed the community of Knocknacarra in general.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank most sincerely my colleagues on the board, the parents committee, the parents, pupils and teaching staff for their support, understanding, patience and cooperation.
“I also wish to recognise and pay tribute to previous boards of management and parent committees who worked tirelessly and diligently over a long number of years, some of which were very challenging, to bring this project to fruition. We have indeed come a long way in a relatively short period of time,” she concluded.
