First day at school for Buncrana's new Scoil Íosagáin

A new chapter in the history of Scoil Íosagáin began today as pupils and staff moved into the first phase of the school’s €21 million redevelopment.

There was a real sense of excitement around the school as fourth, fifth and sixth class pupils walked through the doors of the impressive new state-of-the-art building. They were joined by pupils from some of the school’s special classes, emphasising the school’s pioneering vision of bringing mainstream and special education together in a modern, inclusive environment.

After years of planning, and 18 months of construction, the new building was a striking change from the prefabs and ageing accommodation that pupils and staff had become accustomed to.

The new accommodation provides bright, modern classrooms and spacious corridors, with facilities designed to meet the needs of the school’s growing community.

For the senior pupils in particular, there was the excitement of being the first generation of pupils to experience the new school.

With the first phase now occupied, construction work is already under way on the second phase, which will be built on the site of the old Sacred Heart school building that was demolished earlier this year.

When complete, the development will provide additional classrooms, a library, PE hall and reception area, bringing the school together on one modern campus.

For now, however, the focus is firmly on the present - and on the excitement of a new school year beginning in a building that represents a new era for Donegal’s largest primary school.