Education Minister Norma Foley turns sod on new county Tipperary Gaelscoil
The ceremony took place at the site of the next Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire in Carrick-on-Suir
Education Minister Norma Foley turned the sod on the site of Carrick-on-Suir's new Gaelscoil yesterday(Thursday) afternoon at a ceremony watched by the school's students, staff and board of management members.
Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire Principal Linda Nic an Bháird accompanied Minister Foley in turning the sod for the new eight-classroom school.
Building work was suspended for a short period on the school project on the site of the former St Joseph's College to facilitate the ceremony.
Gaelscoil Charraig na Siuire Principal Linda Nic an Bháird, in her speech, said this moment symbolised the school's commitment to growth and the pursuit of excellence in education for all their pupils.
“The turning of the sod represents more than just the beginning of a construction project; it signifies the seeds of opportunity we show for generations to come,” she said.
Minister Foley said she was thrilled and delighted as Minister for Education to visit the site of the new Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire and meet everyone associated with the school and project. She said this was a great day for the school and she was proud to be part of it
Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire's young traditional musicians performed a numbers of well known Irish airs for the Minister during the ceremony.
Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire was founded 25 years ago and has been based in temporary accommodation on the grounds of Carrick-on-Suir United FC in Carrickbeg for much of that time. The next school is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The sod turning ceremony was also attended by Cathaoirleach of Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Cllr Kieran Bourke (FF), Cllr David Dunne (SF), Independent TD Mattie McGrath along with representatives of Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District, the school's patron Foras Patrúnachta, Carrickbeg/Windap Parish, the building contractors JJ Rattigan & Co and ABM Design & Build and An Garda Síochána.
Read full report with photos in next week's edition of The Nationalist that will be on sale in local shops next Wednesday.