All bets off as school opens on greenfield site

It was opening day for Scoil Oilibheir Naofa as well as the first day for junior infants attending it in Laytown, Co Meath, yesterday…

It was opening day for Scoil Oilibheir Naofa as well as the first day for junior infants attending it in Laytown, Co Meath, yesterday.

The school made national headlines last year when it was originally proposed that junior infants be accommodated in part of Bellewstown racecourse.

Instead the junior school operated out of two-storey pre-fabs built on part of the playground of Laytown senior school.

East Meath has seen some of the largest population growth in the country and the Department of Education came under criticism for not providing a proper site for the school before the situation had reached crisis point.

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However, yesterday was "a great day for the school", said principal Mary Carpenter, as she welcomed 260 children into the school.

The 16-class school is in a large building, albeit a temporary one, a short walk from the senior school and is on a greenfield site.

The department is expected to seek planning permission for the permanent school later this year and there is also room on the site for a secondary school.

According to Sharon Tolan, of the parents association: "We are absolutely overjoyed that finally the children finally have a roof over their heads that is not part of a racecourse, or another school or in another school's gym."

Among the four classes of junior infants who began their education there yesterday was Rory Herridge, aged 4 1/2 who was looking forward "to seeing my friends Ryan and Ross". His mum Leonie said the school was the result of parent pressure.

Twins Gavin and Gerard Nolan had Superman capes on their bags to ensure they got to school on time.

They came with Patricia Farrell who said: "It is a perfect school building and most definitely a step up on last year."