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Smith performs official opening of €1.9 million extension to Farnham NS
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Cavan/Monaghan T.D., Mr. Brendan Smith, has performed the official opening of a new extension and refurbishment project at Farnham National School, Drumelis.
The new project, which received a grant of €1.9 million from the Department of Education and Science, is very extensive in nature and comprises of three new classrooms, a large sports hall, two learning support rooms, an administrative office and a principal’s office. The project also received a local contribution from the Board of Management of €31,500.
Minister Smith alluded to the rich history of the school which can be traced back to 1801, when Lord Farnham set up a school for the education of children of the staff he employed on his estate. Noted for its very progressive ethos, which is retained to this day, the Minister said that children of all denominations and all abilities have been and continue to be welcomed in the school.
Minister Smith remarked on the importance of sport in the school, which will be greatly enhanced by the new sports hall and all weather pitch. He noted the importance of the promotion of Gaelic games to the school which has won four Cumann na mBunscoil titles since 1995. He also remarked that a former principal of the school, Sony Magee, was a former all-Ireland football championship winner in 1933 and 1935.
Congratulating the Board of Management, together with Principal Bernard Donohoe and the teachers for their key role in steering the completion of the project, Minister Smith paid a special tribute to the contribution of the parents, “Your ongoing efforts to galvanise support locally for this school and generosity of spirit is remarkable. The new extension will, I am sure, not only be a valuable resource but a source of affirmation to you as well, in all your efforts on behalf of your children”, he said.
The Minister also congratulated the builders Sandar properties Ltd, and Frank Cooney of Cooney Architects, for delivering such a fine new development.
Green Flag for Carrigabruise NS
Speaking later that day at a ceremony to raise the first Green Flag at Carrigabruise NS, Virginia, Minister Smith said to the assembled school children, teachers and their parents that winning the right to fly the green flag was a considerable achievement and a matter of great pride for all associated with the school. The Minister spoke particularly warmly of the children: “I’m delighted to see young people like you doing a very important job in helping to make our environment as clean and healthy as possible. With all your good work on waste, litter, energy and now water - you are creating an improved environment for everyone, both in Carrigabruise National School and the surrounding area”.
Minister Smith also thanked school principal Ms. Una Keogan-McDonnell, the teachers, parents, caretaker and cleaners at Carrigabruise, as well as the Board of Management and the Pegola Nursery for providing garden shrubs and compost at cost price.
He also acknowledged the role of Mr. Colin Morgan, Dr. Tina Aughney and Mr. Cathal Markey from Cavan County Council for their much valued contribution in helping Carrigabruise NS achieve its green flag.
