School’s farewell events open to all
June 19, 2012
The principal of a primary school that is poised to move to a new building has issued an invitation to all to a series of farewell events.
Gabriel Ó Cathasaigh, the founding principal of Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin in Ballincollig, Co Cork, will host a reunion for past pupils and their families tomorrow night.
It will be the first of several marking the end of the school’s three decades at Inniscarra Rd, close to the former home of poet Seán Ó Ríordáin — after whom the school is named.
Mr Ó Cathasaigh was the first teacher when the school opened in 1983 with 20 junior infants. By September, the 24 teachers will have 525 pupils. The new school building is due to be ready in September.
Mr Ó Cathasaigh invited anyone with a connection to the gaelscoil to attend tomorrow night’s reunion where old roll books and photos will be on display.
“We thought it would be nice to give people an opportunity to come in and walk around, and I suppose, just say goodbye,” he said.
There is a barbecue for neighbouring residents on Wednesday, and another event for sixth class pupils and their parents on Thursday.
“We have lots of fond memories of this school. But it’s the people that make the memories and they are all moving to the new school,” Mr Ó Cathasaigh said. Glenman Corporation is building a three-storey 24-classroom school on the Kilumney Rd, Carriganarra, under the department of education’s Rapid Build School Programme.
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