The first day of spring sunshine marked celebrations at a northside school in Cork City, days after a reprieve from possible closure. The 170 boys — along with teachers and parents — of Scoil Mhuire Fatima took their party outdoors at lunchtime on Friday as they marked victory in their campaign against its planned closure.

Plans to close the North Monastery primary school in Cork City have been withdrawn after angry opposition by parents, pupils, staff and the wider local community.

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Cork to demand removal of plans that would close the North Monastery primary school on the city’s northside.