Norma Ní Chonchúir, principal of the new Gaelscoil in Kildare town, welcomed her first pupils to the new Gaelscoil in Kildare town on Thursday August 29th.
Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha is one of three new Gaelscoileanna under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta which were opened on the day. The school is to be temporarily based in the former vocational school building in Kildare town and is to move to a permanent building at a new educational campus at Magee Barracks.
In March 2012, the demand for Irish medium education in Kildare town was recognised by the Department of Education and it was announced that a Gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta would be opened. Preparations for the opening of the school have been underway since.
Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha is a multidenominational Gaelscoil. The new school will start out with Junior Infants only this year but it is expected that it will grow rapidly.
“The opening of this school shows the demand for Irish medium education which is multidenominational and multicultural,” said Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta.
“An Foras Pátrúnachta is delighted to be able to cater for these parents and children and to provide them with an excellent school and excellent education. Schools under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta ensure the growth and development of the language not only amongst pupils and the school community but amongst the entire community in the area.”
Norma Ní Chonchúir, principal of Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha, is extremely proud of what the school community in Kildare town has achieved to date.
“The parents have given me great support,” said Ní Chonchúir. “They have decided on a lovely uniform and have designed the school crest. I am really looking forward to the year ahead.
“It is a great honour for me to be the principal of Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha. There is a great demand for education through Irish in the Kildare town area and it is brilliant that this new school is opening to cater for that demand.”