GRAND OPENING: Two pupils from St Clare’s NS cut the ribbon to officially open their new state-of-the-art facility while the Bishop of KIlmore, The Reverend Martin Hayes, Principal, Alma Leonard, Chaplain Fr Kevin Fay, Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) and other well-wishers look on.

Blessed with new facilities

Zoe Tunney

Published: Sun 10 May 2026, 2:00 PM

ST CLARE’S National School in Cavan Town officially opened its new extension, which, was blessed by the Bishop of Kilmore in a ceremony last week.

The extension added 10 new classrooms to the school, which now boasts 29 mainstream classrooms, 16 Special Education Teaching rooms, one Mild General Learning Disability (MGLD) classroom and a sensory room to serve its 550 students.

The old or original part of the school was also completely renovated so that the entire complex is a spacious, light-filled, contemporary space with state-of-the-art facilities.

On Friday last, May 1, the Bishop of Kilmore, the Most Reverend Martin Hayes, came to St Clare’s where he joined with pupils, staff past and present, the school’s chaplain, Fr Kevin Fay, members of the board of management and Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) for a blessing of the new school.

Following speeches from the principal Alma Leonard, Fr Fay and chairman of the Board of Management, Paul Surlis, guests were treated to a performance of some of the songs from the St Clare’s Musical Society’s recent production of the Wizard of OZ in the school’s new-look PE hall complete with stage.

In the afternoon, parents and members of the public were invited to tour the school with refreshments served afterwards over a chat with staff.

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GRAND OPENING: Two pupils from St Clare’s NS cut the ribbon to officially open their new state-of-the-art facility while the Bishop of KIlmore, The Reverend Martin Hayes, Principal, Alma Leonard, Chaplain Fr Kevin Fay, Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) and other well-wishers look on., TOP OF PAGE: The staff of St Clare’s National School gathered for a photograph on the day their new extension was officially opened

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The staff of St Clare’s National School gathered for a photograph on the day their new extension was officially opened. More photos in next week’s issue.

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RIGHT: Lilly Walsh McCanny, the youngest pupil in the school, joined by Tobi Alao, the eldest pupil, officially cut the ribbon to open the new extension at St Clare’s NS last Friday, May 1. Alma Leonard, principal; Marie Brady, deputy principal, Bishop Martin Hayes, Fr Kevin Fay, Minister Brendan Smith and Paul Surlis, chairman BOM, were also present for the celebrations. SHEILA MARIE ROONEY

In her speech, Ms Leonard said the new school facilities “reflect our shared belief that every child deserves the very best opportunities to learn, to grow, and to thrive”.

“The facilities we open today will support not only academic achievement but also wellbeing, creativity, inclusion for generations to come,” the principal of St Clare’s said.

She also extended a special welcome to the retired teachers “who worked their whole lives in St Clare’s” and acknowledged both past and present boards of management for “their leadership, dedication, and long-term vision for St Clare’s”.