Three new classrooms officially opened at Tullamore school following long campaign

THREE new state of the art classrooms have been officially opened at Charleville National in Tullamore.

The classrooms were secured after a campaign by the school's Board of Management which was championed by local public  representatives.

Performing the opening in bright sunshine on Friday morning, Education and Youth Minister, Helen McEntee praised the school for its inclusive ethos of encouraging children from all backgrounds to grow and reach their full potential.

Chairman of the Board of Management, Rev. Canon Isaac Delamere, Rector, said the "fantastic" new facilities include a special junior classroom for children with autism, an extra mainstream classroom and a new special education room.

Laying down a marker for the future, the Rector said the school needed an additional senior autism classroom and had the site for it.

He revealed work begun on the classrooms in April and was completed in time for the new school year earlier this month.

READ NEXT: Open invite to annual ecumenical service in historic cemetery in Offaly

Deputy John Clendennen recalled one of the first issues he raised in the Dail on his election was the need for the development at Charleville NS. He said he secured a commitment from the Government which had been delivered upon.

School Patron, the Bishop of Meath, Most Rev. Pat Storey dedicated the new units "to education, to God and to love."

READ NEXT; Tullamore Youth Centre launches student scholarship in honour of pioneering nun