St Patrick's CS embracing the future with opening of extension
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Minister Helen McEntee accompanied by Bishop Tom Deenihan, principal Harry McGarry and board of management chairperson, Fr Gerry Stuart unveils a plaque to mark the opening of the new extension at St Patrick’s Classical School extension Photos: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net David MullenImage 2 of 6
Class prefects Senan Enright, Tom Condon, Sean McLoughlin and Thomas Morgan in one of the IT classrooms. Photos: Davy Mullen - See more photos , Gallery, page 62. David MullenImage 3 of 6
Class Prefects Jack Reid and Matthew Moan helping out at the official opening of the new extension at St Patricks Classical School. David MullenImage 4 of 6
Minister Helen McEntee with principal, Harry McGarry and Bishop Tom Deenihan cut the ribbon to officially open the new extension. David MullenImage 5 of 6
St Patrick’s Classical School students from yesteryear Brendan Walsh and Phil Donnelly, who graduated in 1953, with former school principal, Colm O’Rourke. David MullenImage 6 of 6
Cathriona Reilly, Joanne Cleary Holdforth and Angela Alder. David MullenA two-storey extension to St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, was officially opened on Friday last by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, with a blessing by the Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan.
The new facilities consist of four new mainstream classrooms, a science laboratory, home economics room, textiles room, applied technology room, a technology preparation area, two new DCG rooms, administration offices, and a large locker room, as the school welcomes a number of new subjects such as applied technology and home economics.
Principal Harry McGarry described how thrilled he was that this project had finally been completed, thanking a number of people who were instrumental in the project, including Bishop Deenihan, Fr Gerry Stuart, chairperson of the Board of Management, the design team under the leadership of David Cullivan of Gaffney & Cullivan Architects Ltd, the building contractor, Rodney Brady from RBC Contracting Ltd, and Des Foley, Meath County Council, amongst others.
He also paid tribute to former principals, Brian Kennedy and Colm O'Rourke, stating it was the vision and hard work of Colm O'Rourke that made this latest project possible.
"It was Mr O'Rourke who, in 2019, secured approval under the Additional Accommodation Scheme for this extension. His leadership and commitment to the school’s growth laid the foundation for what we see before us now," he stated.
The theme of the day was 'Celebrating our Past. Embracing our Future', as Bishop Deenihan spoke of his pride in the school and how Catholic ethos based education continues to flourish in modern Ireland, paying tribute to the diligent work of both the current principal, Harry McGarry and former principal, Colm O’Rourke.
Bishop Deenihan blessed the building while Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, cut the ribbon, unveiled the plaque and officially opened the new facilities, in her last official act as a TD in the 33rd Dáil.
The minister spoke about how the investment in this new building was also an investment in the students themselves, stating that “investing in young people is investing in the future”. She also spoke to various students as she enjoyed a tour of the new facilities and tasted some cheesecake that had been prepared in the home economics room.
This project is the start of a series of enhancements that are being made at St Patrick's Classical School and Sports Campus. In 2024, Mr McGarry secured approval for an additional €7m expansion under the ASA Scheme, which will see the construction of six Additional Education Needs (AEN) classrooms, ancillary accommodation, and new car-parking facilities. This year also sees the replacement of the school’s all-weather pitch with a top of the line 4G pitch.