Campaign to avert closure of well-known Limerick boarding school

ATTEMPTS are being made to avert the closure of a well-known Limerick boarding school.

There was shock over the weekend after the closure, within the next two years, of Glenstal Abbey School in Murroe was announced, with its trustees saying the environment in which boarding education operates has changed.

"Demand for boarding education has declined over time, while the cost of operating a small boarding school and providing the quality of education, care and facilities expected of Glenstal has continued to rise. A detailed external assessment of the school has confirmed that the kind of school we have here at Glenstal is not sustainable into the future,” the trustees said.

The closure of the 200-student school, which marks its centenary in 2032, has prompted shock, especially given it underwent a major refurbishment in recent years.

Now, two groups have urged Columba McCann, the Abbot of Glenstal, to consider “alternative options” to the closure.

In a letter – reported by the Irish Times – concerned parents said their “over-riding priority is to explore whether there is a viable way to keep Glenstal open for all current pupils to complete their education”.

This would involve the school remaining open at least until 2032 if current first years were to continue their education to Leaving Certificate, including Transition Year.

There is confidence among parents given what happened at Cistercian College at Roscrea in Tipperary.

Its closure was announced in 2017, but there was a change of tack after parents campaigned, and the boarding school is still in operation to this day.

The parents’ letter states that this “shows that a community-led alternative can sometimes prevent closure. We recognise that Glenstal’s circumstances may differ but believe it is important to establish whether a similar opportunity exists before options narrow further.”

Ideas including external investment, an independent trust, or an alternative operator for the Benedictine school have also been suggested.

Another group, the Glenstal Old Boys Society, have also made contact with Abbot McCann in a bid to halt the closure plan, including putting in place an expert committee to pore over the school’s finances.

It's understood the letter received more than 200 signatures.

Sadness has been expressed from the wider public to the closure of the school, which has an impressive list of alumni.

These include business magnate John Magnier, web summit founder Paddy Cosgrave plus rugby stars Duncan Casey and Ben Healy.

Noel Malone, former principal at Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom bemoaned the news.

Writing on Facebook, he stated: “This is so so disappointing. This is a school with an incredible history and tradition. Unfortunately like many others, whether in the private or public sector, school leadership needs to embrace change and re-imagine a school of the future. We can't rely on the past. It can be done! It needs courage and dynamism.”

All students at Glenstal Abbey will be able to continue their education through the school through this current academic year up to June 2027. For the next academic year, it’s the intention to allow second and fifth year students to complete their Junior and Senior Cycle of education.

School bosses will this week start to hold meetings with parents who are impacted by the planned closure, announced on Friday.