A WEST Cork Gaelscoil will offer classes in a purpose-built school for the first time in 18 years following planning approval by An Bord Pleanála.
Staff at Gaelscoil Chloch na gCoillte (Clonakilty) have taught pupils in a variety of makeshift classroom locations including a disco, a former Church of Ireland teachers’ residence, a mobile home, a holiday home and 29 prefab buildings since its inception in 1994.
The Department of Education secured a four-acre site at Fernhill Road in the town purchased from Cork County Council for €675,000 in 2007.
Planning for a 16-classroom school was granted by Clonakilty town council last April but local objectors appealed the decision on grounds of road safety, visibility and parking. The planning appeals board granted planning permission this week, 18 weeks after the town council’s decision.