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Gaelcholáiste Phort Láirge Official Opening

April 9, 2008

Minister Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Social and Family Affairs on Friday last opened Waterford’s new Gaelcholáiste Phort Lairge located at Six Cross Roads, Waterford city.

Minister Cullen TD said the newly-established school which is an all Irish secondary school and the first such second level school in the city was "a symbol of Waterford residents identifying a need, working towards an outcome, taking action that at times was not easy, but now stands as a tribute to local initiative."

He added: "The students currently in First Year are trailblazers and are setting the tone and expectations for students to come."

Minister Martin Cullen TD also remarked: "I am delighted to see that the students here study English, French and German as well as Irish. Research shows that students studying two or more languages develop a facility to pick up others. We will not only need linguists in the future but the richness to be derived from additional languages will be of personal enrichment to the students in their own lives and nationally as we try to develop increased intercultural dialogue and understanding."

Minister Martin Cullen TD concluded his remarks by congratulating Nollaig Ó Cionnaith, Príomh-oide of the school and the Chair of the Board of Management of the school Steven Beatty, and all members of the Board for bringing the project to fruition. Martin Cullen TD said: "I am delighted that Waterford city has joined all those other towns and cities in Ireland where a Post-Primary education can be pursued through the medium of Irish. We need to keep our language alive. Those who through the Gaelscoil movement work to perpetuate its use for future generations deserve our thanks and support. Deanaim comharghairdeas le bord bainistíochta na scoile agus leis an gCathaoirleach, agus dar ndóigh le Nollaig Ó Cionnaith, príomh-oide, as ucht an méid atá déanta cheana féin chun an Gaelcholáiste a chur chun seoil. Guím gach rath ar thodhchaí an choláiste seo. Go maire sibh!"

Article from Waterford Today.