Lá mór ag Gaelscoil Lorgan

“The teachers have absolutely no excuse now!” Brendan O'Dufaigh, chairperson of the Board of Management, said to laughter as Gaelscoil Lorgan in Castleblayney was officially opened by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday, October 23.

Principal Michelle Uí Mhairtín acknowledged the attendees' "dedication to the Irish language” and also welcomed the Catholic school’s patrons, Bishop Larry Duffy and Fr Adi Walshe.

The school opened in 2008 with 24 pupils and two teachers, recalled the principal, who also served as MC. “We currently have 178 pupils on roll and 17 members of staff. Over the 18 years, Gaelscoil Lorgan has very much become embedded into the community in Castleblayney.

She added: “We are immensely proud that the first group of pupils that began with us are now finishing up university and trades."

Bean Uí Mhairtín thanked the parents "who trusted and believed in us" in those early days.

She called the spacious four-acre site “our forever home". The new Gaelscoil Lorgan boasts eight classrooms, two Special Education Teaching (SET) rooms, a library, secretary and principal’s office, general purpose hall and staffroom, plus “lots of fabulous outdoor spaces”, which the previous setting lacked.

The principal thanked the Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board for delivering the project to a very high standard; the Department of Education for its invaluable input; Oppermann Architects for the delightful design; as well as mechanical and electrical engineers Semple & McKellop; McGahon Surveyors; structural engineers Downes Associates; Tobins and contractor CJ Callan.

Bean Uí Mhairtín also thanked successive Boards of Management and the dedicated Parents’ Associations. She paid tribute to the teachers, Special Needs Assistants, caretaker and secretary, and recognised Naíonra Lorgan preschool as an integral part of the school community.

Brendan O'Dufaigh, chairperson of the Board of Management, echoed her comments.

"Back in 2007, we came up with the idea of a new Gaelscoil in Castleblayney. Some people told me I was mad or a fool; some wished me well, and some did not," he recalled.

He too thanked the first parents who put their trust in the school. "It is much easier now for parents … because we have proven ourselves through our results and the standards in the school.”

The school first operated from the old ToBriCo furniture factory, surrounded by commercial premises in a business-zoned area - an imperfect setting, but he recalled: “We were delighted to get it.” He thanked the business park’s landlord, Francie McGuigan.

"There was a Minister for Education [Batt O'Keeffe] who could not understand why a school should be started with 24 children … It took me a few meetings to make the case that, eight years down the road, those 24 or 25 children would be 200, it takes that.

“We now have everything. We can ask for no more. These facilities contribute to learning and support the teachers. The teachers have absolutely no excuse now!” he said to a chorus of laughter.

Principal Uí Mhairtín noted: “11.5% of students are in Irish medium education in Co Monaghan. We are without doubt the envy of every other county.”

The county’s four Irish medium primary schools - Scoil Rois in Carrickmacross, Gealscoil Ultain outside Monaghan Town, Gealscoil Éois in Clones and Castleblayney’s Gaelscoil Lorgan - all feed into Colaíste Oireall, the Irish medium secondary school at Monaghan Education Campus, she said.

Also thanking politicians for their support, Mr O Dufaigh reserved special mention for the principal’s enthusiasm, hard work and generosity with her time in “promoting Irish language education to the fullest”.

He observed: “County Monaghan has the greatest percentage of children attending Gaelscoileanna of any county outside the Gaeltacht areas, and we should be proud of that.”

Before An Taoiseach unveiled of the plaque, he delivered his address as Gaeilge. He only deviated from that to talk directly to the students, some of whom played music and recited poetry at the event.

“What enriches your life is your music, your participation in sport, your appreciation of the environment and people. Those are the things that make life much more worthwhile. I know you've got a great opportunity here in the school to do that.”

He urged the students to look after themselves and look out for each other, encouraging them to talk to someone they trust if they were having problems. “You will find later on in life, no matter where you go, that your greatest friends will be the friends you made in school.” He also asked them to embrace, celebrate and be confident in their talents.