Minister officially opens new Kilbeggan secondary school

A "joyous celebration" was held in Kilbeggan recently as the new Mercy Secondary School was officially opened by Minister for Education Norma Foley in front of a large crowd.

A project that was in the pipeline for almost 20 years finally came to fruition earlier this year, and its completion was greeted with delight, and more than a little relief, from the school and local community.

The new two-storey building includes general teaching and administration rooms, a four-classroom special educational needs unit, PE hall and fitness suite, full size all-weather pitch, two construction rooms, an engineering room, high tech multimedia rooms, a library, four science labs and a general purpose area.

The day’s proceedings began with the arrival of the minister, where she was greeted by students, staff and members of the community involved with the project. Fr Brendan Corrigan blessed the new school as well as all those in attendance.

Minister Foley acknowledged the teachers, students and the wider school community for their contribution to school life at Mercy Kilbeggan and for how they coped with the transition between the old and new buildings.

"I know this doesn’t happen by magic, I know to have everything in place for the start of the academic year took many hands and hearts within the school and the wider community.

"To the staff at the school, and I include everyone who contributes to the running of the school, I say a sincere thank-you. We are forever grateful for your generosity, resilience and imagination," she said.

Minister Foley paid a special tribute to the Sisters of Mercy Order, who founded the school in the late 1940s, saying their "forward thinking" played a key role in gifting the ethos and spirit to the school.

"We had women of courage, wisdom and vision who gave extraordinary dedication at a time where we so desperately needed it. We are where we are today because of that vision and foresight and we are forever indebted to the mercy order for that" she said.

School principal Garrett Farrell told those who had gathered in the large gym hall that the day marked the "culmination of years of hard work and perseverance by so many people and organisations over the last 20 years."

"With thanks to everyone who has made our dream come true we now, finally, have a fantastic new school campus that matches that same excellence in education that Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan delivers." he said.

Chairperson of the board of management, Senator Paul Daly, recognised the huge contribution made by the past and present boards of management who put in "many hours of dedication" for the school.

"All members of the board both past and present had one aim and one ambition only and that was the maintenance and betterment of our school. This project may not have come to fruition without their significant contribution over the years," said Senator Daly.

As the formalities came to a close, music was provided by the school’s trad group under the direction of teacher Neasa Mangan Lynch. Invited guests then enjoyed refreshments in the general purpose area.