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Education first for Cherry Orchard |
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The foundation stone has been laid on a state-of-the-art primary school
multiplex in Cherry Orchard. Bishop Raymond Field blessed and an
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern formally inaugurated the construction of Saint
Ultan's on April 25 in front of a large crowd of local people and
community group representatives.
An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern with local children at the inauguration
Picture - Urban Multimedia
Saint Ultan's is the first primary school complex of it's kind to be
undertaken by the Department of Education and marks the successful end
to a 35 year campaign which was begun by Fr Liam Browne in 1970. Saint
Ultan's will house sixteen class rooms as well as a purpose built early
childhood education unit, a fully equipped canteen, a pre-school
nursery and a care unit that will cater for children before, during and
after school hours.
The thinking behind the school was inspired by work done in Ballyfermot
and Cherry Orchard by Marian Taggart. She has not only managed a prize
winning nursery but has also run, together with a dedicated staff, an
outstanding after school service since 1991. This service, which
combines education, care and play in a home-like atmosphere, has given
young people unexpected opportunities to achieve academically and to
find employment through a nurturing facility.
The school, named after St Ultan - a seventh century Irish saint
renowned for his care and education of children - is due to open in
September of 2006.
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