Minister for Disability visits Mayo forest school Ros na Réaltóg

THE Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, has seen the wonderful work being carried out at Ros na Réaltóg in Crimlin, Castlebar.

She was welcomed to the school by Róisín Geddes, director of Ros na Réaltóg, along with Deputy Michael Ring, staff members and young attendees.

Ros na Réaltóg, which opened in 2019, offers a holistic approach to teaching and learning and the forest school is at the heart of the rural community.

Deputy Ring explained how it has grown: “This school opened in September 2019. There were five children registered. There was a classroom and an outdoor space that needed work. A community grant was made available and the area was fenced and equipment was provided for children.

“A few months after this there were nine children registered with the school. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit and the school had to close but they reopened in September 2020. They worked hard to get the outdoor space established. Within a few weeks, they had 16 children, including children with additional needs.

“They have continued to grow from strength to strength, even running summer camps, with children coming from near and far to attend.

“In 2021, Ros na Réaltóg opened their school with 19 children and started their forest club for afterschool. They had 22 children by the end of the year and 15 children attending afterschool.”

Added Deputy Ring: “Róisín Geddes along with other staff members and professionals pointed out the wonderful work being carried out at their forest school to Minister Rabbitte. Róisín feels that this programme can be developed in to many other areas of education.

“Ros na Réaltóg are an inclusive school offering tremendous benefits to children and their learning.

“I wish to commend Róisín Geddes on her vision and delivery of a wonderful service to the children of the locality and beyond and I wish Róisín, the staff members, pupils and all at Ros na Réaltóg continued success.”