Construction works underway on new Birr school

Construction works are underway on the new site for Birr's Gaelscoil.

The Midland Tribune was invited out to see the works this week at the location near Lidl supermarket between the Banagher and Tullamore Roads.

Cllr John Carroll and Niamh Uí Chléirigh, Principal of the Gaelscoil, met with Site Manager Con McHugh (of Vision Contracting from Cork), who brought them up to speed with what has happened so far.

Con said it's a six acre greenfield site and the ground works are presently being carried out. It's expected that the new modular school building will start being constructed during the first week of October. The modular building should be complete by the end of October.

Cllr John Carroll pointed out that the new building will be state of the art and top quality.

The Príomhoide commented that she, the teachers and the pupils are very excited about this new chapter in their lives. She said they are expecting to move into their new school in December.

The Site Manager said the new school will be located off the North Western Distributor Road. The North Western Distributor Road has already been partially constructed to serve Lidl. “The Council plans to construct the rest of the road, a few hundred metres,” said Con, “during the first quarter of next year.”

Cllr Carroll said the new Distributor Road will be a welcome addition to the life of the town because it will alleviate traffic flow. “It will mean that parents dropping their children off at the Community School won't have to turn around but can drive on to the Distributor Road. It will make things a bit more freeflowing.”

The Site Manager added that the concrete foundation for the modular building should be installed this week.

The Príomhoide said the new school will have a sensory area, playing pitch, basketball court and a play yard. There will also be four new mainstream classrooms, accommodation for a special class, a library, a kitchen for students to develop life skills and a general purpose room.

The project is being managed and administered by LOETB (the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board).

Gaelscoil na Laochra has been in temporary accommodation since it opened its doors in 2015 and is currently based in Sandymount Haven. The school is co-educational and multi denominational.

There are still some places available for September 2023. Forms can be downloaded on their website www.gaelscoilnalaochra.com or they can be collected directly from the school in Sandymount Haven.

Cllr Carroll, who is Cathaoirleach of the Board of Management of Gaelscoil na Laochra, said the modular school will be a modern carbon friendly building with the type of BER rating only dreamed about in the past.