'It was worth the wait,' says Carrick-on-Suir principal following move to new school

The students and staff of Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire have moved into their stunning new school premises on the site of the town’s former St Joseph’s College ending a 25-year residency on the grounds of Carrick United FC.

The school’s pupils and staff walked in procession from Carrick Utd’s Tom Drohan Park at Coolnamuck Road, Carrickbeg at 11.30am on Wednesday, May 14 across the Old Bridge to their new permanent school - a light filled airy state-of-the-art two-storey building located between the North Quay and N24 Clonmel Road.

Principal Linda Nic an Bháird said members of Carrick United and the local community were present to say goodbye to them as they left their home of 25 years. A local playschool displayed a banner wishing them well as they passed.

She confessed it was an emotional occasion as she locked up the school’s old temporary rented premises for the last time and thought back to how the school was founded 27 years ago with just six pupils.

READ ALSO: Community volunteers honoured with Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District awards

Ms Nic an Bháird paid tribute to Carrick United for accommodating the school on its grounds and allowing them the use of their playing facilities for so many years.

“Carrick United have been fantastic. They are a huge part of our story and will always be. If they didn’t allow us on their grounds, we wouldn’t be here now.”

She also thanked St Molleran’s GAA Club next door for allowing the Gaelscoil the use of their playing facilities during its time on the Coolnamuck Road.

The previous day parents and guardians of the school’s 111 pupils were invited to visit the new school and received a tour of its eight teaching classrooms, a library, general purpose hall, support teaching rooms, outdoor play and nature areas and shown where to drop off and collect children.

“So many people turned up and we had a lovely occasion,” said Ms Nic an Bháird. 

A view of the front of Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire facing onto the North Quay in Carrick-on-Suir. Photo Anne Marie Magorrian

The green light to begin construction of the Gaelscoil was given by the Government in late 2023 and former Education Minister Norma Foley performed the official sod turning ceremony on the site in March, 2024 following demolition of the old St Joseph’s College buildings.

Building contractors ABM completed the project on schedule at the end of March and the keys were handed over to the school on April 30.  The new school is located just a short distance from the Gaelscoil's first home on Greystone Street. 

ABM workers are still on site putting the final finishing touches on the building and addressing any outstanding issues.
Ms Nic an Bháird said they were delighted to have moved into the school in May rather than waiting longer.

Overall the school community has experienced a “soft landing” with the move in, she continued.

“I thought it would take a long time to settle in but we are now settled.

“I visited all the classrooms yesterday and asked what they would like to change and the response was ‘nothing’. They are just so happy. There is a sense of calmness around the school.”

She noted that so far there hasn’t been any traffic congestion outside the school at school drop off and collection times and they use the sports facilities of Carrick Davins GAA Club’s Davin Park just three minutes walk away across the N24 road.

“Aesthetically it’s a very beautiful building,” said Ms Nic an Bháird.

“There is a lot of light in the building. All the classrooms are south facing, overlooking the river.

“It’s a lovely landscape. We have a very generous hall and have every modern resource you can think of. We are very lucky. It was worth the wait.”

Check out this report and more photos from the new Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire in this week's edition of The Nationalist now on sale in local shops.