This article is from page 3 of the 2011-11-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
THE former GAA grounds at Roslevan has emerged as a possible new home for Ennis Educate Together National School
The 5.25 acre site on the outskirts of Ennis will be among the sites recommended to the Department of Education and Skills as a new location for the school.
The land on the outskirts of Ennis will be included in a “portfolio of sites” currently being prepared by the school’s Board of Management.
The development comes after the Department stated that a new 16classroom unit should be provided for the school.
In a statement yesterday, Principal Sean Ó Confhaola explained, “The Department of Education and Skills has informed Ennis Educate Together NS that a 16-classroom unit should be provided for the school.” He added, “It is projected that this accommodation begins to be required by September 2012. The department is currently looking for a suitable site for Ennis Educate Together NS.”
The school is currently located on the Gort Road and caters for almost 200 children. Mr Ó Conf haola told The Clare People that the Gort Road and Roslevan “would be the most preferred areas for a new school”.
Among the other potential areas currently being examined by the school is the former GAMA site on the Tulla Road.
Our Lady’s hospital, which was mentioned as a possible site in a recent report by Ennis Town Council, has also been touted. “We have looked at Our Lady’s that’s a possibility too”, said Mr Ó Conf haola.
He said the communication from the department is a boost to the school’s long-term search for a new permanent home. “It wasn’t completely out of the blue. The slight difficulty was always getting a suitable site.”
Interest in the former home of St Joseph’s Doora Barefield has been high in recent months. A number of local sports clubs have been credited with an interest in the grounds. Last month town manager Ger Dollard said that while Ennis Town Council had given detailed consideration to purchasing the grounds, a bid had not been lodged and that the local authority was no longer interested in the site.