Mayo Gaeltacht to get new Irish-medium early childhood education centre

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has approved a grant of €224,231 to Coiste Naíonra na Corrchloiche in Erris to build an early childhood education centre through Irish alongside the primary school.

The centre will be able to cater for 22 children and is expected to be ready for the 2026/2027 school year.

There is currently no early childhood education service in the area and this centre will greatly enhance the early childhood education and language experience of local children.

Announcing the grant, Minister Calleary said: “Early education services through Irish are a significant support to the Gaeltacht education policy and the language planning process in the Gaeltacht. This centre will be located on the site of Scoil Náisiúnta na Corrchloiche and is an important resource for the community and local families as they raise their children through Irish.

“I am delighted to be able to support this committee and this project is a good example of the type of support available under the Community and Language Supports Programme in my department. I want to thank local councillor, cathaoirleach Sean Carey, for his support of this project.”

This grant has been approved under the Community and Language Supports Programme which provides capital funding to Gaeltacht committees to build or renovate community and language facilities.