Taoiseach to open new Clifden school
The new €8 million secondary school that has been provided in Clifden, following many years of campaigning, will be officially opened by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar next week.
The state-of-the-art Clifden Community School was completed last year and the students and staff moved in to their new building last October. The old school to the rear was then demolished.
“The official opening of the new school by the Taoiseach is the culmination of years of campaigning and hard work and it will be a day of celebration for the whole community,” according to local councillor and former Cathaoirleach Eileen Mannion.
Cllr Mannion paid tribute to all the staff at Clifden Community School for their patience over the past two years while the new school was being built in front of the existing school and for their hard work and dedication in ensuring a smooth transition to the new building.
Planning permission for the new €8 million school was originally granted back in 2011 and this was after a 10-year campaign at the time – but works did not commence as there was no funding made available at the time. Then there was an extension of planning permission granted in 2016 at which point the necessary funds were provided and works commenced much to the delight of parents and the local community in general.
The new school building, part two-storey and part three-storey, has been fitted out to a very high standard and with the latest technology. It also has a new school entrance and landscaping.
The old school building that was demolished has made way for play areas and parking. JJ Rhatigan and Co were awarded the contract and work began in June 2016.
The Parents Association are currently fundraising for a new astroturf pitch to complement the new school complex.
The school serves students from West Connemara stretching from Cashel and Maam to Ballyconneely, Renvyle and Inishbofin. The previous school was constructed in May 1979.
But it was back in 1972 when a decision was taken to amalgamate schools run by the Sisters of Mercy and the Franciscan Brothers – one was a boys' school and the other a girls'.
The following year the first meeting of the board of management took place in the Convent of Mercy and a foundation stone of the previous school building was laid on February 1974.
The new school will be officially opened by Taoiseach Varadkar on Wednesday next.
Mr Varadkar will also visit Coláiste Naomh on Inis Meáin on Wednesday to mark the fact it has recently been recognised by the Dept of Education as an independent school, having previously been under the patronage of Coláiste Cholmcille, Indreabhán.
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