Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí set to move into building - after 25 years in prefabs

The principal of Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí has commended those who “fought for years” as the staff and pupils have finally got to move into a new building.

Eoghan Ó Gráda, in his first year in charge having taken over from Colmán Mac Cumhaill, believes it is just a reward for all involved after the school spent 24 years in prefabs. The 52 schoolchildren will enter their new surroundings for the first time on Monday.

“I’m a newly-appointed principal and I just have to say well done to the school community who battled for this for so long,” Mr Ó Gráda told DonegalLive. “After having to be so patient, they have got their rewards having fought for years and on Monday we will be moving into the new state-of-the-art building at last.”

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An open night will be held at the new school building at Brookfield, Drumbar, on Monday from 7pm-8:30pm, where parents will be encouraged to give their children the gift of bilingualism. As well as the new building, they are offering preschool and wraparound service provision on site from 8am-6pm five days a week; cognitive benefits of immersion education; free hot meals, extra-curricular activities and a bus service.

“Over the years there has been a lot of letter writing, email sending, begging, minister for education meetings and even protesting, but thankfully it’s now ready to move into,” Donegal County Councillor Jimmy Brogan posted.

“The prefabs will be taken away this week and the kids went back for one last look at them over the weekend. Despite the cold and dampness, the leaking roof and the broken windows, this was their school and they all had a wonderful school experience with great friends and wonderful teachers as well as a great love for the Irish language and culture.

“Parents interested in sending their kids to the school can come along to the open night on Monday evening to meet the teachers and see the state-of-the-art building.”

The new build had been due to start in the first quarter of last year, and a contractor had been appointed. But as quarter one slipped into quarter two without the letter of commencement arriving, there was a shock announcement that funding had been withheld. A subsequent campaign led to a reversal of the decision and the sod was officially turned on the site last June.