'Good news': Limerick school granted planning permission on the second go-around

A GAELSCOIL in County Limerick has received a major boost after it received planning permission for a significant expansion.

Gaelscoil Ó Doghair in Newcastle West has been granted planning permission to build a pre-school / afterschool facility and an all-weather pitch featuring floodlights, a ball wall and goal nets in close proximity to the school’s main building. 

The Irish-language primary school is located at Station Road in the county town. 

According to planning documents, the Principal of the school - Cáitlín Móinbhíol - nominated the Minister for Gaeltacht Affairs Patrick O’Donovan to represent the school during the planning process. 

Initially the school had sought planning permission that was deemed invalid due to being incomplete in nature - the north point was not located properly on the plans submitted and the full description and extent of the planning permission was not alluded to in the initial application. 

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Welcoming the decision of the local authority to grant planning permission, Newcastle West Councillor Michael Collins said: “Any development like that is good news.”

He has a personal connection to the school - having put all three of his now-adult children through the gaelscoil. 

The school currently hosts afterschool hours from 2.45pm to 5.30pm at a cost of €50 per week, according to the school’s website. 

Gaelscoil Ó Doghair also hosts a special class for students with autism spectrum disorder. 

Following the granting or permission, the focus will now turn to securing a contractor to progress the development.