Call for a Gaelcholáiste for Cavan

“I wish to formally propose that this ETB support and initiate the process of establishing a Gaelcholáiste (Irish-medium secondary school) in Cavan Town,” Cllr Áine Smith declared at last week’s meeting of the Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB).

Having raised the issue at previous council and ETB meeting, the Irish teacher said she was moving the motion at the request of parents of children currently attending Gaelscoil Bhreifne in the county town.

Gaelscoil Bhreifne currently has 191 pupils enrolled, with numbers projected to increase further. There is also a waiting list. But those students who want to progress their secondary education through the medium of Irish must travel outside the county to do so.

“This clearly demonstrates sustained and growing demand for Irish-medium education at primary level in Cavan Town,” said Cllr Smith (FF).

“Families who have chosen education through Irish for their children should have the opportunity to allow them to complete their post-primary education as Gaeilge within their own town,” she continued.

She praised the staff at Gaelscoil Bhreifne for the “quality” of education being delivered and the “strong community support” for Irish-medium education in Cavan.

Cllr Smith asked the ETB to formally assess the demand for an Irish-medium secondary school in Cavan Town; engage with the Department of Education regarding the viability and process for establishing a Gaelcholáiste and to begin preliminary planning to ensure that students currently in Gaelscoil Bhreifne have a pathway to continue their education through Irish at second level.

Cllr Colm Carthy said that, as a Monaghan representative, he wholeheartedly supported the motion.

Referring to the success of Coláiste Oiriall in Monaghan Town, the Sinn Féin representative highlighted how Monaghan has the highest amount of students in Irish schools per capita in the State.

“If we build it, they will come. Irish-medium primary schools are growing. But even if students don’t go to an Irish school at primary level and are immersed in it at secondary level they pick it up almost as quick as those who did it in primary school.”

Sinn Féin Cllr Damien Brady also lent his full support, adding that it is heartening to see such huge interest in the native language.

Independent Cllr Brendan Fay agreed that the board should do everything in its power to support the establishment of a gaelcholáiste in Cavan Town.

Director of Schools Paddy Flood agreed that the motion is “most welcome”.