The Board of Management of Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh has confirmed that Jack Chambers, Government Chief-Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Irish Language, Sport and Media will officially open the new Irish language centre at the site of Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in Knocknacarra tomorrow Friday September 30.
The new Irish language centre, Áras Mhic Amhlaigh: Ionad Gaeilge Chnoc na Cathrach, currently provides Irish-medium pre-school and after-school facilities and will also offer supports and services in the development, promotion and acquisition of the Irish language to the local community.
The facility comprises three rooms to accommodate Irish-medium preschool and after school activities, a multi-purpose facility with space for meetings and school activities, as well as office space.
Principal of the schoo,l Dairíona Nic Con Iomaire said they are proud to be part of this very significant project that will enhance the promotion of the Irish language in the Knocknacarra area.
“Áras Mhic Amhlaigh, which acts as a seedbed for the school and the surrounding area, also supports the development and maintenance of the Irish language and indeed the implementation of the Gaeltacht Education Policy 2017-2022 in which the school has been involved from the outset. “More importantly it is intended that Áras Mhic Amhlaigh language centre will have a central role in the implementation of the Irish language plan which has been approved for the Bearna and Knocknacarra Language Planning Area.”
He added that Áras Mhic Amhlaigh is a very important resource for everyone.
“It will be at the heart of supporting the use of Irish in the school and all those living and working in the wider Knocknacarra community.”
Since the school and the naíonra (preschool ) first opened in temporary accommodation in 1993, it has always been the vision of the Board of Management to provide permanent facilities for the school and the naíonra, as well as other facilities and services that would support the development of the Irish language in the area.
Chairman of the Board of Management, Seán Ó Leidhinn said this will be a historic day for them and for the Knocknacarra community.
“The founders of the school were acutely aware of the importance of early-years education through Irish, and the very important role it plays in supporting the transmission of Irish from one generation to the next.
“I have no doubt that the Gaelscoil, Áras Mhic Amhlaigh and the naíonra is among the most significant and fruitful developments in fostering the Irish language in the Knocknacarra area. Now this centre will also be available as a resource for the wider community and we hope that it can become central to fostering other Irish language activities in the area.”
“I wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my fellow Board members, Parents’ Committee members, parents, staff and pupils for their continued support and cooperation over the years, particularly during the most challenging periods,” he added.
Mr Ó Leidhinn said he would also like to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by previous Boards of Management and Parents’ Committees who have worked tirelessly over the years to bring the development of Campas Mhic Amhlaigh to fruition and in doing so realising the vision of the founders back in 1993.
