Historic day as sod turned on €10 million school
At the sod turning for a new €10 million building for Scoil Íosa NS in Ballina were, from left: April McFarlane (Dept. of Education and Youth), Monica Duffy (Deputy Principal), Michael Tunney (Principal), Senator Mark Duffy, Sr Elizabeth Tierney (Sisters of Mercy), Sr Mary Glynn (Sisters of Mercy), Christy McDonagh (Chairperson, Board of Management) Patrick Gardiner (Coolsivna Construction Ltd.), Elaine Naughton (SJK Architects) and Fr Kieran Holmes (Board of Management) with Minister Dara Calleary and members of Scoil Iosa's student council. Picture: John O'Grady
A landmark sod-turning ceremony has marked the official start of construction on a new, state-of-the-art school building for Scoil Iosa, Ballina. The €10 million project signals a bright new chapter for the community, promising enhanced educational facilities for future generations.
The celebratory event was led by the school’s students, with Nevaeh Hopkins and Frank Maughan of the Student Council warmly welcoming the distinguished attendees. The gathering represented the strong community and collaborative effort behind the project, bringing together past and present in a shared vision for the future.
Attendees included Sr. Mary Glynn and Sr. Elizabeth Tierney from the Sisters of Mercy, the Board of Management led by chairperson Christy McDonagh, and a representative group of staff members who are all past pupils of the school. Also in attendance were April McFarlane from the Department of Education and Youth, principal Michael Tunney, deputy principal Monica Duffy, Fr Kieran Holmes, and the project's design team led by Elaine Naughton of SJK Architects.
The event was honoured by the presence of Minister Dara Calleary, who performed the official sod-turning, and Senator Mark Duffy. The managing director of Coolsivna Construction, Patrick Gardner, and members of Scoil Iosa's Student Council were also present to witness the milestone.
Following the sod-turning, the site for the new school was blessed by Fr Kieran Holmes.
The new development will be a significant expansion of the school’s capacity and specialist facilities. The project includes twelve mainstream classrooms, one speech and language classroom and two classrooms for children with autism.
With construction managed by Coolsivna Construction, the project is scheduled for completion within two years.
Principal Michael Tunney and Deputy Principal Monica Duffy described the day as a momentous occasion for the entire school community.
“This is a great day for Scoil Iosa,” they said. “We look forward to this fantastic new facility for the wonderful children and staff of our school.
“We wish to express our most sincere gratitude to all present at the event who have contributed to bringing this vital project to fruition. This new building will provide an inspiring and modern learning environment for many years to come.”
