This article is from page 20 of the 2013-10-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
AFTER lying empty for almost a month, the old Ennis National School will re-open on Friday for the upcoming referendum.
The building has traditionally served as polling station for elections and referendums and will swing open its doors once again on October 4.
The site has been practically vacant for the best part of a month since pupils and teachers moved to the new school building at Ashline at the start of September.
The project involved the construction of a new 32-classroom school including ancillary accommodation. The design is of a St Bridget’s Cross layout – a central area with four separate wings of eight classrooms ema- nating from the core.
The school has moved from its former site on the Kilrush Road near Carmody Street where it had been located since 1973.
Ennis Town Football Club, who have been based at the Kilrush Road for a number of years, have retained the use of the pitch and dressing rooms at the old site but the building has been vacant. The Ennis Parish Council were asked about the possibility of opening the builder to cater for voters on referendum day.
Electricity will also be re-connected at the building this week. Polling cards have already been printed bearing the name of the old school. Voters are being asked to decide whether or not to abolish the Seanad and whether or the country needs a new Court of Appeal.