Rift over site for new school

A RIFT has developed between the Department of Education and the Educate Together organisation over plans to provide a multi-denominational school in the Castlebar area.

The department is insisting that the facility be located in the former Burren National School, three miles or so north of the county town, in a premises donated free gratis by the Archdiocese of Tuam.

However, Educate Together, which has 10 pupils lined up to start classes in early September, say the Burren property is ‘totally unsuitable’ as a modern school building.

“It would require considerable redevelopment work and it is in too remote a location to be accessible to Castlebar families,” Luke O’Shaughnessy, communications manager, Educate Together, said in a statement.

The department, however, appears to be strongly digging its heels in on the issue.

Despite the crux that’s arisen, Educate Together's regional coordinator, Jarlath Munnelly, says Educate Together is determined to open a school in Castlebar next month as scheduled.