Newbridge, Swords, & Monkstown Celebrate Long-awaited Buildings

Accommodation

Schools celebrate long-awaited buildings

Having attended an Educate Together school which spent a decade in prefabs, I vividly remember the excitement of moving into a new school building. This feeling was mixed, however, with a certain ‘survivor mentality’ amongst the older children – nostalgia for the days when you could kick a hole through the classroom wall was mixed with a certain sense of superiority as against the pampered infant classes who had only ever known spacious shared areas and functioning toilets. This September, a number of schools have seen years of effort come to fruition.

  • Newbridge ETNS finally moved into a primary home, six years after it was first opened.

“It’s great to have solid walls so we can hang art work and regulate class room temperature. I’ll even have my own office at last. To be honest we have been building up to this moment for three years so it is a dream come true for us. The pupils deserve this – and they have been so good and never once complained. We are so excited – it’s gorgeous Principal Eimear Carey

  • Swords ETNS is to receive its permanent accommodation – gone to planning and to tender.
  • The new building housing Monkstown ETNS was officially opened in June by Minister Mary Hanafin TD, at Kill Avenue in Dún Laoghaire. The new school building is welcomed after an 11-year wait.
  • Limerick East ETNS moved from the Young Munster Rugby Club into a building which formerly housed Mungret College.
  • Major extension work is underway in Gorey ETNS, due for completion this autumn.

Carrigaline ETNS (featured in our school focus) secured approval for payment of rent in respect of a modern, purpose-built facility.