An exciting night is approaching in Maigh Cuilinn this Saturday as Scoil Bhaile Nua prepares for its fundraising auction in Wildlands at 8pm. Holding its first major public fundraiser since 2018, this small vibrant Gaeltacht school is aiming to raise much-needed funds to upgrade facilities.
This Gaeltacht school now has pupils spanning from Maigh Cuilinn to Oughterard, with the school becoming more accessible for all since the introduction of two new bus services in recent years, one from the Maigh Cuilinn area and another from Oughterard and Rosscahill.
The school is now looking forward to raising funds to further develop its Gaeltacht school offering and facilities for the community at large.
Speaking ahead of the auction night, Chair of the Fundraising Committee, Cóilí Gavin Snr, said the school is very special to all in Baile Nua.
“The school goes back to 1900 and many of the children attending today are the third and fourth generation of the same family.
“We are very proud of our school’s history and of our pupils both past and present. Among our past pupils are club and Galway county footballers Sean Kelly (Galway captain ), his brothers Eoghan and Paul as well as Dessie Conneely and James McLoughlin, ladies footballer Aine McDonagh, world champion dancers Sylvia and Anna Carroll, and soccer player Vincent Faherty.
“The community has really backed us with this venture and while I can’t disclose all the items up for auction, I can say that it will be lots of craic, with huge bargains to be had from bales of hay, club memberships to a PlayStation, hotel getaways, pieces from local artists, a bespoke designer headpiece and perhaps a sporting item or two!”
Auctioneer on the night is Páidí Ó Lionáird formerly of TG4 and RTE who now heads up Communications for the office of An Choimisin Na Teanga in An Spideal.
School Principal, Áíne Ní Fhógartaigh, said this is a very exciting time for them.
“Over the last number of years, we have expanded by adding on two classrooms, office spaces and a resource room. We have also purchased an adjoining pitch. We hope to repay the remainder of our loan for these additions and develop them further to provide the best education facilities for our 81 pupils.”
“It’s also important to note that in undertaking our fundraiser we have decided to team up with children’s charity ‘Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin’. Ten per cent of the proceeds of our event will go towards this worthy cause and in doing so we hope to help support the care of critically ill children.”
