New secondary school opens in Limerick

A LIMERICK city secondary school will welcome students in its brand-new building from this Thursday morning.

Sixth-years at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh which up to now had been based in Sir Harry's Mall in the city, will begin to attend the new campus located a short distance away at Clare Street.

The multi-million euro building's opening marks a new chapter in the history of the school, which welcomed its first students back in 2006.

Measuring 8,000 square metres the new building will accommodate 750 students.

It's located on the former Kerry Group site in Clare Street and has opened following an investment of more than €28m from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) funded by the Department of Education's capital programme for post-primary schools.

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George O’Callaghan, the ETB's chief executive said: "As Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh enters this exciting new era, I know the school remains committed to its core values of academic excellence, creativity, innovation, the Irish language and culture and community. This new campus will very much serve as a catalyst for further success, providing students with the tools and resources they will need to thrive in an ever-changing world."

The new campus boasts a range of facilities including design studios, creative and collaborative spaces.

There are also extensive sports facilities with the campus boasting a fully-equipped sports hall, a gymnasium, and outdoor all-weather playing field.

Principal Kevin Ó Raghallaigh said: "We are incredibly excited to open our new campus, which will provide our students and staff with world-class facilities and resources to reach their full potential. Our commitment to all our students will continue to be at the forefront of the educational experience."

The new school features 70 teaching spaces including five science laboratories, two home economics rooms, an art and textiles room, technical graphics room, two construction studies Rooms, technology rooms, a multimedia room, together with a PE hall, general classrooms and staff room.

On top of this, there will be a range of external play areas including an astroturf playing space, ancillary and support facilities.

Also present as student at the new school, Donncha Ó Treasaigh, ETB director of schools, and founding principal of Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, added: "This is a very special moment for Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh. When we began this journey back in 2006 with 32 students, we could have only dreamed of reaching a milestone like this. I want to congratulate everyone involved in making this dream a stunning reality and to wish Kevin and the entire school community all the very best in the years ahead."