Children excited and some a little 'awe-struck' on their return to Glasheen Boys National School

It's good to be back!!! David Blackshields, Diarmuid Coffey and Mark Donnelly jump with joy in front of the newly constructed 'extension' to the school building. Picture: Larry Cummins

When Michael Daly, the principal of Glasheen Boys National School, started on his first day in the school back in 1972, he was one of the first pupils to be welcomed into a brand new building.

On Thursday, as he greeted students as the new term began, he was also welcoming them back to another new building on the school grounds in Cork city. “I was telling the boys on their way in that they all had something in common with me,” Mr Daly told the Irish Examiner.