Planning permission being sought for Offaly Gaelscoil

THE Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board has stated its intention to seek planning permission for a new home for Birr's Gaelscoil, Gaelscoil na Laochra.

Gaelscoil na Laochra has been a great success since it opened its doors in 2015 but it's operating in constrained circumstances in Sandymount and is seeking more spacious accommodation.

The plan is to build on a greenfield site near Lidl near the Tullamore Road, using modular buildings and hopefully open in September this year. Many people are keen for this to happen.

The councillors of Birr Municipal District this week discussed the draft Birr Local Area Plan (2023 to 2029) and the proposed Northern Distributor Road, to be built between Tullamore Road and Banagher Road over a distance of 380 metres.

It's proposed that Gaelscoil na Laochra, if granted planning permission, will be built to the left (the south) of the proposed Tullamore Road - Banagher Road Distributor Road. Left (south) of the Distributor Road will be Lidl, the Gaelscoil and possible future residential development.

The Distributor Road will run from right beside Lidl across 380 metres of land and will emerge at a layby attractively planted by Birr Tidy Towns. This layby will be removed as part of the development. Cllr Carroll said it's hoped to work with Tidy Towns to create another planted area at the Banagher Road entrance to the town.

Gaelscoil na Laochra was the first multi denominational school in Offaly. It had been hoped that the school would move into the former location of Birr Mental Health Services in the former Convent on Wilmer Road, but this fell through.

The new school near the distributor road will have four classrooms, a Special Education Needs base, a general purpose hall and ancillary teaching space and service.