This article is from page 29 of the 2007-05-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
AFTER 20 years waiting for this day a little inclement weather was never going to dampen the joy of the teach- ers, pupils and parishioners of Clon- lara as Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen opened a €1.1 million extension of Conlara National school on Wednesday afternoon last.
The extension, which services one of the biggest rural national schools in the county, sees Clonlara receive three new classrooms, three learning Support rooms, a staff room and an administrative office.
Clonlara National school has grown to house in 2007 a huge total of 334 pupils with 15 teachers and other support staff. Bishop Willie Walshe was on hand to bless the new build- ing in the presence of Father Brendan Cleary chairperson of the board of management along with board mem- bers.
School principal and Clare minor hurling team manager PJ Fitzpatrick said that it was the culmination of many years effort, lobbying and promises that finally led to this great day for the school.
The school has grown to be recog-
nised as one of the best centres of formative education in the region and was in dire need of this extension.
It will service the needs of an ever erowing hinterland population wise. Fitzpatrick thanked the architect Dermot Merry for “the excellent design and management of construc- none
He reserved special praise for the construction firm of Kerlim Building Ltd who went about their business in a “quiet considerate way considering the pupils and staff alike”. The effi- ciency of Kerlim must also be noted according to the school principal as
“the project was finished two months ahead of schedule”’.
PJ also thanked all the local contri- butions that helped to fund the con- struction after the 95 per cent fund- ing was granted from central funds.
After the formalities a reception was held in the new premises for guests and parishioners alike to cel- ebrate another success for Clonlara eynenee