St Andrew's College, at Booterstown Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, has acquired three acres adjacent to its school grounds from the Sisters of Mercy in Booterstown. The price paid was not disclosed but while development land in this location would probably make in excess of £2 million an acre, it is understood that the Sisters of Mercy sold for considerably less than this valuation. Arthur Godsil, headmaster of St Andrew's College, said the college had been anxious to acquire the land for the past 27 years. He praised the Sisters of Mercy for the way in which they dealt with the issue.
"As a growing school, we needed more land to expand both our buildings and recreational facilities and this would not have been possible if the Sisters of Mercy had not agreed to release the land."
The site runs along the southern boundary of St Andrew's and will be used to install new sports facilities. The school has won a number of hockey trophies in recent years.
Sister Helena of the Sisters of Mercy said they were delighted to be able to advance the cause of education. She described St Andrew's as progressive school.
"As neighbours and fellow educationists we are full of praise for the excellent work carried out by the staff and pupils at St Andrew's College.
"We see this transaction as ensuring facilities for young people well into the future and at the same time retaining open green space in a densely populated area."
St Andrew's, which describes itself as "the only truly international school in Ireland", is an inter-denominational co-educational school catering for boys and girls from kindergarten to graduation through International Baccalaureate or the Leaving Certificate. The 1,200 pupils are drawn from 40 countries and the teaching staff also reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the college.