Green light for de Valera school to be redeveloped

A former school attended by Eamon de Valera is to be declassified as a protected structure following a campaign by local groups who want to see it redeveloped.

The old Christian Brothers School in Main Street, Charleville, is in a serious state of disrepair and both the local chamber of commerce and community council have successfully campaigned to get it removed from the council’s protected structure list.

De Valera attended school there from 1896-1898, but a consultant archaeologist and heritage expert employed by the two organisations argued that as the school had been completely remodelled in the 1920s there was nothing tangible left to associate with his days there.

Both groups want to see the building purchased by a developer who would do it up, thus enhancing the Main Street.

Their wishes were brought before a council meeting earlier this week at which Charleville-based Cllr Ian Doyle (FF) managed to persuade officials to declassify the building.

He said that an appropriate plaque or bust should be placed outside the building to mark its link with the country’s longest-serving president.

“It would acknowledge his presence in our town and allow the site to be developed and fit into the economic and social plan for Charleville’s busy Main Street,” Cllr Doyle said.

He was supported by Cllrs Bernard Moynihan (FF) and Gerard Murphy (FG).