Major extension on way for school in Offaly

COLAISTE Choilm, the all-boys second level school in Tullamore, has been sanctioned for a major extension.

The additional building, which will be over 2,000 sq m in size, will bring the school's potential enrolment up to 750. There are currently 696 students attending.

Last year the principal, Tadhg O'Sullivan, said the school was “packed to capacity” when two local boys could not find a place there in First Year and instead enrolled in Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan.

This afternoon (Tuesday, March 4) Mr O'Sullivan welcomed confirmation the extension will be built and said he expects a contractor to be appointed soon.

“I'm delighted to see it, especially for the community of Tullamore, as well as for all the staff of the school.”

He said the extra capacity will enable the school to meet extra demand in the coming years.

He said the provision of two special educational needs (SEN) base rooms is the most important aspect of the entire project.

“The whole ground floor will be a double SEN base,” he said.

The SEN classes are for entrants on the autism spectrum and the school's first special class was established in 2021.

In all, 11 classrooms will be added in a construction project which is valued at about €7.25m.

Along with the classrooms, 22 car parking spaces and other facilities, a sensory garden will be developed.

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Welcoming the announcement that the building can go ahead – planning permission had been granted in October 2022 – Deputy Tony McCormack said the “significant” extension will provide more space, better facilities, and, most importantly, more opportunities for local students.

The Tullamore-based Fianna Fail TD said: “This is a major step forward in ensuring that children in our community have access to high-quality education without having to travel outside the jurisdiction to find a suitable school place.”

Deputy McCormack said the 11 classrooms will comprise three mainstream rooms, one technology room, two science laboratories, one Design and Communication Graphics room, an art room, a multimedia room, and the two rooms for those with special educational needs.

“The addition of two special classes is particularly significant, providing much-needed support for students who require additional resources,” said the TD.

Deputy McCormack said he had been working with Barry Cowen MEP to ensure the extension was provided, along with advocating for improved educational facilities in Offaly.

“As a past pupil of the Brothers, I know first hand the incredible role Coláiste Choilm plays in our community. This extension is not just about bricks and mortar—it’s about giving every child the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and well-equipped learning environment.

“The inclusion of two special classes is a crucial step forward, but we need to do more. There is a growing demand for special education places in Offaly, and I am committed to ensuring that every child has access to the education they deserve, without having to leave their own county.”

He added: “Every child has the right to a proper education, and that means having the right facilities in place. We need more special classes at both primary and secondary level, and I will continue to push for these improvements.

“Coláiste Choilm’s extension is a big step forward, but it’s just the beginning. I want to see every school in Offaly properly resourced to meet the needs of all students.”

While the development at Coláiste Choilm is a “clear sign of progress”, it also highlights the ongoing need for investment in education across the county.

He said the hard work of the principal, Mr O'Sullivan, his staff, and the board of management had played a crucial role in moving the Tullamore project forward.

The existing school welcomed its first students in September 2011 and in that school year it had an enrolment of about 540, a figure which was close to double the roll from about eight years earlier.

It was designed to cater for 575 and quickly grew to that number, and substantially beyond.

Construction work on the existing school began in 2010 and that facility was built on the site of its predecessor, which had been demolished.

The school's origins date back to the Christian Brothers Classical School close to the Grand Canal in 1912 and in 1961 it was established in its current location with a substantial extension added in 1988.

The new three-storey extension is expected to take about 15 months to complete.

Along with the classrooms, sensory garden and car parking spaces, there will be electric car charging points and many more bicycle parking spaces.

The extension will be built at the Bachelor's Walk (New Road) end of the Colaiste Choilm complex.

The main entrance to the school is on O'Moore Street, opposite the Tullamore Court Hotel.