Gaelscoil Bhréifne opens state-of-the-art two storey extension
School underwent a vital restoration project; numbers grow from single-digit in 2018 to almost 200 students today.
Gaelscoil Bhréifne has returned to full capacity following the completion of a major two-storey extension project at the former convent that created four additional classrooms.
This is the fourth large upgrade works completed at the Cavan town school, allowing it to grow into a full stream school with almost 200 pupils today.
The latest redevelopment was led by Galetech Contracts, a subsidiary business of Stradone-based Galetech Group.
The redevelopment and expansion of Gaelscoil Bhréifne began as an initial conversion of the old convent into a school in 2018 before modular classrooms were added during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. This was followed by the construction of a new mainstream building and an extension with two autism spectrum disorder (ASD) units in 2022.
The new two-storey A3 energy rated extension, completed in just nine months, includes four mainstream classrooms and provides 400m² of a modern teaching space with one full classroom per class.
Niamh Ní Cheallaigh, Principal of Gaelscoil Bhréifne, explained how Gaelscoil Bhréifne moved to this site in Cockhill, Cavan in 2018, and the numbers have grown from 32 to 200 pupils.
“In partnership with Galetech, An Foras Pátrúnachta and the Department of Education, the building has been refurbished and expanded,” she said. “Today, we have a beautiful purpose-built building containing eight mainstream classrooms, two autism classrooms, three resource rooms and a full-sized hall.”
Outside the school had added two purpose-built schoolyards, a basketball court and a greenspace for football.
“The Department of Education’s purchase of this building from Galetech is a fine example of how a public-private partnership has worked to benefit the whole community,” noted Ms Ní Cheallaigh. “Cavan can boast a state-of-the-art Gaelscoil providing multi denominational education through Irish. The Gaelscoil Bhréifne community is most grateful to Galetech, the Department of Education and An Foras Pátrúnachta for bringing this project to fruition.”
Alan Morton, Managing Director of Galetach Contracts, meanwhile stated that seeing students of Gaelscoil Bhréifne return to their classrooms after the mid-term break to their new state-of-the-art classrooms is a “great reward” showcasing the hard work that has gone into restoring the old convent.
Using modern methods of design, manufacture and construction, Galetech supports projects at every stage of development - from initial site assessment and planning through to fully coordinated, build-ready designs and project delivery.
“We at Galetech are proud of the large-scale, expert construction work we deliver and we have a strong track record of delivering best-in-class projects in the education sector,” he said. “From modular solutions and deep retrofits to construction of brand new, innovative school facilities, Galetech Contracts has considerable expertise in delivering projects in the education sector.”