Rotary Club swing in to help fund Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn playground

Mullingar Rotary Club have agreed to help fund the installation of new equipment in the playground of Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, to enhance the experience of the pupils.

Príomhoide, Bríd de Bhial, noting that existing facilities are basic, said the project had been a long-standing ambition for the school. She explained that funding for such initiatives typically relies on support from both the school and the local community.

“While we have already begun raising funds ourselves, this welcome contribution from the Rotary Club means we can begin work immediately and provide a significantly enhanced playtime experience for our páistí at the start of the new school year in September,” she said.

Ms de Bhial outlined the plans for the playground, which will include a multi-level climbing structure with soft rubber safety surfacing. There are also plans to add benches, shaded seating, and landscaped green space (to include raised garden beds and a sensory trail.

Dónal Lawlor, youth services officer at Mullingar Rotary Club, explained that this was a natural extension of their involvement with local schools over recent years.

Every spring, they organise a Young Writer Competition for the local primary schools and this year there were entries from eight of the schools. The winners go on to compete in a national competition. In the autumn, the Rotary Club organise a Youth Leadership Development Competition for students in fifth year in the local secondary schools.

Those selected from that go on to a national competition, and several young people, from north and south, are selected to go on a visit to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Dáil Éireann and the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

“The funds that the Rotary Club are giving are the result of fundraising from the local community in Mullingar,” said Dónal. “One of our main events is the Remembrance Tree on Dominick Square over Christmas, in conjunction with North Westmeath Hospice. At the Christmas Tree this year, pupils from the local schools were asked to come along and sing Christmas songs and carols at the tree.

“That was a great enhancement to the Christmas atmosphere on the street in the week before Christmas. Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn were one of the schools who took part last Christmas, and Ms de Bhial said that they all really enjoyed it and would certainly be back to support the initiative again this year.”

Ms de Bhial offered her sincere thanks, on behalf of all the school community to the Rotary Club and said that they are extremely grateful to the club for their kindness and community spirit in supporting this project for the school.

Mr Lawlor said Mullingar Rotary Club were delighted to be able to support this well thought out project and wished the school community all the best in their endeavours to get it up and running.