From 'mould to magnificent' - Laois town's school transformed by green retrofit

The Scoil Mhuire building in Abbeyleix that teachers, pupils and parents thought to be only fit for demolition has been transformed into a 'magnificent' building, according to its school principal.

Just three years after parents and teachers demanded action from politicians ahead of the 2020 General Election, the staff are now in awe of what has been achieved through a deep retrofit that has transformed the school.

At a public meeting organised by the INTO in late 2019 parents spoke publicly about the leaking ceilings, blocked toilets and broken heating system. Damp and mould was another problem and insulation was non-existant.

Classrooms had been condemned and sealed off and all believed that the only option left was to knock the building and start again. Buckets had to be placed in classrooms to collect water from the roofs of the 40-year-old parts of the school.

But an alternative was found. The Department of Education committed to action in late 2021 after the Minister for Education Noram Foley heard directly from the school community about the extent of the problems.

Department of Education confirmed in October 2021 that the Abbeyleix school had been selected for inclusion in the 2022 Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder Programme for works to the original 1980s blocks. It would be modernised but also converted into a sustainable low energy building.

Under the plan the school was earmarked for substantial energy upgrading, internal completion refurbishment works and renewable energy systems. A renewable heating system, extensive insulation and external fabric upgrade was promised alongside new LED lighting and solar Photovoltaic panels and air tightness works.

Just over three years after the school community went public, school principal Margaret Slevin gave a progess report to the Leinster Express / Laois Live which has reported extensively on the issues faced. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"We are well and truly settled into our newly retrofitted classrooms. What a change! Heat, working toilets, mould-free walls, windows no longer rattling, beautiful newly fitted furniture,  bright walls and floor coverings without holes to name but a few improvements," she said. 

Ms Slevin who succeded, Aidan McEvoy, outlined what's left to do.

"Builders are currently working on a fabulous sensory garden attached to Naomh Brīd. Our playgrounds are still not fully accessible. They are still tipping away at little jobs inside the building," she said. 

The Principal looked forward to a grand unveiling when work is fully completed which she hopes will be attended by the Minister of Education Norma Foley.

Ms Slevin said the school features in a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) video promoting refurbishment projects carried out through the Pathfinder Project which was carried out in partnership with the Department of Education. The progamme is linked to climate action decarbonisation targets. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Ms Slevin was interviewed for the video.

"It was a really unpleasant building to come into. It was dark gloomy; we had a lot of problems with the roof. There was mould and spores. No matter how much heat and oil we poured into the school it was never warm. 

"With the broadest stretch of my imagination that in a relatively short period, the builders came in and completed the retrofit, that we would end up with a school as magnificent as we have now," she said.

This view was endorsed by pupils. 

"It's amazing. Everything is more modern. The bathrooms were terrible now they are so nice," she said.

Fiona Hayes, Deputy Principal, is also happy.

"It is fabulous. It is bright it is clean. It is fresh. It is a much nicer environment to work in and for the children to learn in," she said.

Ms Slevin concluded her contribution to the video by urging other schools to embrace retrofitting.  WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW.

A total of 42 schools around Irelan have undergone retrofitting with 24 at various stages. A national rollout is promised.