Sports stars at Gaelscoil's open evening

A packed room of parents and children from Ratoath were informed and entertained at last week's open evening to publicise Gaelscoil Ráth Tó (Ratoath Gaelscoil) which will be opening for classes in Ratoath Community Centre on 30th August. Sports personalities, boxer Bernard Dunne, Meath footballers Caoimhín King and Paddy O'Rourke with the Delaney Cup, and jockey Barry Geraghty, whose daughter will be attending the school in its first year, also attended the launch. The presentation was to let all interested members of Ratoath's community see the new classroom that has been set up for the first classes that will begin in just over a month's time and also gave a chance to parents to meet the school's new teacher, Tricia Ní Mhaolagáin, who has been working hard recently with the establishing committee, the parents' committee and the Irish-language organisations involved in the 'Aitheantas' campaign, to equip the room being used and make the new classroom a reality. Speaking on behalf of the establishing committee, Seán " Buachalla expressed the committee's delight that the night was such a success and so well-attended. "We were very lucky to have some prominent sports stars there to show us their support and we are very grateful to them for giving their time for this cause," he said. "We would also like to express our thanks to all the parents involved in organising the night and to the Irish-language organisations who have been supporting the establishment of the school so far as part of the 'Aitheantas' campaign," he added. The 'Aitheantas' campaign (Irish for 'Recognition') is an umbrella campaign under which a number of Irish-language organisations are co-operating to help establish the school on an unofficial basis, in order to pressurise the Department of Education to recognise the school as soon as possible. The organisations involved are Glór na nGael, Conradh na Gaeilge, Comhluadar and Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge. "We are very happy with the huge interest and positive attitude of all those who attended the night and we look forward to the successful opening of the school within a few weeks. Since the school is being funded on a unofficial basis and receives no State funding, we welcome all donations, big and small, to aid its success. Anyone wishing to donate to the school or simply to get more information about it can contact us at gaelscoilrathto@gmail.com or phone (087) 332 8650," Mr " Buachalla concluded.