NEW ERA FOR SCHOOLS IN ATHENRY

Great news this week that the new Presentation College in Athenry will open for classes on Monday.
The school costing €20 million will serve 1,000 pupils in a state of the art modern facility.
The school’s opening is the result of a very intensive campaign over many years by parents, staff and the community in Athenry.
The investment in the school has seen many false dawns and many unfulfilled promises but now the dream has become a reality.
I am delighted for the school and for Principal Cathal Moore and his staff. They have waited a long time for this day to come.
I am also pleased with the progress that is being made with Clarin College, where construction is well under way.
Together these schools will meet the present and future demands for second level education in Athenry.
When Clarin College is completed, the way will then be open to move ahead with a Gaelscoil campus for both a new national and secondary school on Clarin College’s current site.
As a former third level lecturer, I fully understand the importance of providing modern facilities for top class education. In that way, we enable students to maximise their full potential.
Great progress has been made in Athenry in that regard over the last three years.