Second primary gaelscoil considered

The development of a second primary gaelscoil in the south east of the county is being explored as a way to help build a viable pupil population to feed a dedicated Irish language post primary facility in Cavan.

As revealed by The Anglo-Celt earlier this year, the Department of Education and Skills wrote to Cavan Monaghan ETB about exploring the possibility of locating a permanent secondary gaelscoil within the grounds of the former Dun Ui Neill barracks in Cavan Town.

At present there is no post primary school in Cavan for pupils from local primary gaelscoil to progress - the closest being either Coláiste Oriall in Monaghan Town or Coláiste Phobail Ráth Cairn in Athboy, Co Meath.

If a such a project were to materialise for Cavan, it would almost certainly mirror the plans successfully realised on the grounds of the former Monaghan barracks.

Located on the outskirts of Monaghan Town, and decommissioned from military purpose in January 2009, CMETB developed both a 16-classroom all-Irish primary school and a 400-pupil all-Irish post primary school for Coláiste Oiriall.

CMETB believe there is potential at the former Dun Ui Neill site in Cavan to accommodate both primary and post primary gael scoileanna, as well as recreational facilities, and the inclusion of dedicated SEN units for both schools.

But in order to build scale and ensure demand for places,The Anglo-Celthas learned of proposals to develop a second primary gaelscoil in the south east of the county.

The existing bunscoil in Cavan Town only recently moved to a new school site at the former St Clare’s Convent site at Tullymongan Lower due to demand.

In its 25-year lifespan, the school has held temporary accommodation at the Scout Den on Railway Road and the former Jackson’s Garage site on Farnham Street.

Adding an additional gaelscoil within the county is one of may recommendations expected to be included in the new County Development Plan currently being drafted.

A spokesperson for CMETB confirmed to theCelt: “There is potential to develop a second primary gaelscoil in the south east of the county, which would become an additional feeder school to a post-primary school in Cavan Town.”

Other school developments

Along with the announcement last week of a nine-classroom extension, lab and special education facilities at Virginia College, CMETB is continuing to press ahead with proposals to develop other school sites across the county.

More than €2 million in funding has been secured by the local educational body to develop a Training Centre of Excellence for Supply Chain, Logistics and Procurement at Cavan Institute’s campus at the Dún Uí Néill campus on the Dublin Road.

This will tie in with a major new multi-million euro extension to the Cavan Institute building at Cathedral Road.

Planning has already been granted for a suite of new modular units at the Dublin Road site to assist in accommodating learners being moved from the former St Clare’s building in Cavan Town.

Funding for the extension with a capacity for up to 600 additional students has also been approved by the Department.

Meanwhile, an application has been submitted in respect of Breifne College in Cavan Town, where further development is planned for the existing school facility to accommodate projected enrolments in terms of space and subject range.

The post primary school only opened a new €10M extension in 2018 to meet the needs of a school population now peaking above 700 in number.

Similar plans have been submitted for Coláiste Dun an Rí in Kingscourt, which only opened the doors of its €15 million new school in 2018.

Already the school is operating at close to full capacity.