A remarkable revival

What was once feared would become “a school in darkness” is now being hailed as one of rural education’s great comeback stories.

St Bricin’s College in Belturbet - previously resigned to closure amid controversial amalgamation plans - is now experiencing renewed growth, rising student numbers, expanding facilities and what local leaders describe as a powerful rebirth driven by community spirit.

Addressing a meeting of the Cavan Monaghan ETB hosted at St Bricin’s, chair of the school’s Board of Management and local Independent Councillor Brendan Fay spoke with emotion and pride about the transformation that has unfolded in recent years.

“I once thought this school would be in darkness, in a dilapidated state. But it’s the opposite,” he said.

Earmarked alongside St Mogue’s in Bawnboy for replacement by a merged school in Ballyconnell, St Bricin’s instead defied expectations. Last year’s intake of First Year students was the largest in more than a decade - a milestone many once believed impossible.

“It is a place of growth, warmth, vision,” said Cllr Fay, who described the school as now sitting at the “heart of this community”.

He credited much of the turnaround to Principal Jody Ó Gallchóir, appointed in 2022, whose leadership he said brought “continued growth in student and staff numbers”, alongside a “renewed energy and an excellent reputation for no-nonsense, student-centred development, and quality teaching and learning.”

Momentum

The school’s momentum is continuing to build. A fourth special class is set to open in September, prompting Cllr Fay to propose that the ETB invite Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, to officially open the new facility, as well as cut the ribbon on the school’s recently installed modular building.

But Cllr Fay explained that the school's ambitions stretch further, with plans advancing for a major new community and sports facility through the purchase of adjacent lands.

He praised the ETB executive for how they have supported the project and the community.

ETB Chair Aprilanna Barker said the passion behind the revival was unmistakable.

“I could hear the passion” in Cllr Fay’s voice, she said, reflecting on the extraordinary “community buy in” that now surrounds the school.

She recalled a recent volunteer-led community effort to repaint the school.

The optimism was echoed by Cavan County Councillor Áine Smith, who said it was “fantastic” to witness the enthusiasm surrounding St Bricin’s - sentiments equally shared in nearby St Mogue’s, where she teaches.

“To think back...” she reflected, recalling the difficult years faced with the threat of closures, the schools’ successes today are a “credit to the community”.

Cllr Smith invited board members to visit St Mogue’s to witness for themselves the “lovely environment” within the school.

Closing the discussion, Ms Barker reflected on the ETB’s broader mission and the direction now being taken by schools like St Bricin’s.

The outlook, she said, was “always forward, never backwards.”