The Gaelscoil on the Mountrath Rd, Portlaoise want sacraments, involving the school, celebrated through the Irish language. The school had proposed to pull out of First Confession, which will take place on March 9, but are now hopeful that a resolution can be found.

School principal Dominic Ó Braonain said that there were a number of meetings between the school and the parish.

“It is not a case of the Gaelscoil withdrawing from the sacraments, but we are seeking alternative dates so that we can celebrate the sacraments through the Irish language, which is the medium our children are educated in and in which they have been prepared by their teacher most diligently. We are in consultation with the parish priest on this point,” Mr O’Braonain told the Leinster Express yesterday (Tuesday February 9).

A decision to pull out of First Confession was outlined in letter to parents, dated February 4, and signed by Mr Ó Braonain. “Arising from a meeting of second class parents and school management, it has been decided not to proceed with the First Confession, as planned on March 9. It is the express will of the parents and school management that the sacraments be celebrated in Irish," said the letter.

It continued: "The school and the parent body are extremely unhappy with the arrangements that the Parish proposes for the celebration of the Sacraments, involving the Gaelscoil."

They proposed that the sacraments be carried out with a visiting priest, with the permission of the Parish. The letter urged parents to write to the local parish priest, Monsignor John Byrne, to "register their dissatisfaction."

The letter asked that parents; "request the Parish to provide the sacraments through the medium of Irish only, and if this could not be met the school required permission to have the sacraments celebrated in Irish with a visiting priest."

Chairperson of Parents Council, Pauline Madigan, has also offered her resignation over the issue. She said she feels she cannot represent the parents if she does not share their viewpoint.

Speaking to the Leinster Express on Tuesday morning, Ms Madigan said: "I think it's more important to be part of the overall community of Portlaoise."

Ms Madigan offered her resignation at a meeting on Monday night (February 8), but it was not accepted. "My resignation was not accepted but I still don't feel that it is fair for me to represent the parents, when I have a different opinion to them."

Ms Madigan said she did not wish to tarnish the good name of the school, as the staff and principal do exemplary work.

"I am proud to have my children attend the Gaelscoil," she said, "but I feel it is far more important for my child to receive the sacrament with the rest of the Parish."

Msgr Byrne could not be contacted for comment.