Pupils celebrate move from prefabs to building they can bank on

HURRAY!

An estimated 245 children will be cheering as they return to school next week.

It will be, for many of them, their first time in a concrete school building.

They all attend a gaelscoil in Clonakilty which had the unenviable record of boasting the most temporary classrooms of any school in the country – a total of 29 prefabs.

But their trials and tribulations are now at an end following a 12-year campaign for a new school.

Gaelscoil Cloch na Coillte was formed in 1994 and was recognised by the Department of Education a short time later.

Principal Carmel Ni Airt fought long and hard for a new school but, despite promises, the money never materialised.

However, the Department of Education has agreed to lease a premises in the town for a year, with an option to renew.

The children and staff are to move into the newly-built 15,500sq ft premises at the town’s waterfront development site which was constructed as a bank.

Developer Bobby Hilliard constructed the building on the site of the former GAA club for Ulster Bank. But the financial institution then pulled out of the project.

And in stepped the gaelscoil, leaving behind the 29 prefabs which were costing an astonishing €262,000 a year to rent.

“The children simply won’t know themselves. They have gone from probably the worst conditions of any school in the country to the best,” Ms Ni Airt said.

“The new building is in the realm of the unbelievable. I was overwhelmed when I first saw it.”

Parents are helping to move all the equipment into the new building, a project which will take a number of days.

“The staff will be coming back tomorrow to get the rooms ready. Parents and grandparents have volunteered to help with the move. Even people who aren’t connected with the school are helping out. One man has offered us the use of his lorry which he will drive himself,” the principal said.

To celebrate the occasion, all the children will wear specially printed t-shirts next Monday saying “on the crest of a wave”, which will aptly sum up their euphoria at the move.

Bobby Hilliard said a deal to lease his premises was agreed with the Department of Education last week.

“Their own school was falling down. The children were being educated in absolutely appalling conditions, so the move will be great for them. They will also be able to use a pitch at the back of the building. It’s a positive move all round for everybody,” Mr Hilliard said.

The developer said he hoped the lease arrangement wouldn’t last forever and that, one day, the gaelscoil would find a permanent home.

“Hopefully in the years to come they will get the necessary finance to do this,” Mr Hilliard said.