The new national school in Oughterard, designed by award-winning Simon J Kelly & Sons, will hold its official opening at 5pm on Saturday May 17.
Scoil Chuimin agus Chaitriona Oughterard is extending an invitation to all people associated with it over the years to attend this special event, including all past and present staff, pupils, parents and board of management members.
The newly-built school, which boasts state-of-the- art-facilities, will be opened by national icon, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, who is coming to Oughterard for the occasion. Micheál O Muircheartaigh is a former teacher turned broadcaster who is better known as the "voice of Gaelic Games" and he continues to defy the age barrier with a career that has spanned a remarkable six decades. School patron, Bishop Martin Drennan, will bless the building.
The new school was finally open for pupils at the start of this school year after more than 25 years of campaigning by successive boards of management.
School principal, Micheál Ó Domhnaill, believes the Government should now target larger capital spend projects to try to boost the economy in long-suffering local communities, like Oughterard.
"Thisisaunique occasion in the Oughterard community that has really given everyone a badly- needed boost, so we intend to mark the event appropriately," he says.
"Maybe the long wait for the new school has been worth it, for as well as having an all-weather astro-turf pitch, the new school also has a music room and school orchestra, outdoor gardens, general purpose school hall, and handball court. " In addition a new library will be operated by the school's senior pupils.
