A Laois principal has shared exciting updates on the construction and timeline of their brand new school.

Ms Teresa Kennedy, Principal at Gaelscoil Shlí Dála in Ballaghmore, was excited to announce that the school will open in time to mark their 20th school year.

The new school has seen the removal of three prefabs, along with the refurbishment and relocation of two existing prefabs. Four new prefab classrooms, an activity hall, staff offices, a staff canteen, toilets, circulation corridors, outdoor play areas and a sensory playground are currently under construction on the site.

Provisions have also been made for additional car parking facilities and pedestrian footpaths.

Pictured: an image of the new building for Gaelscoil Shlí Dála.

"The plans for this new school began in 2022, we had been operating out of old prefabs and they were deteriorating greatly," Ms Kennedy told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"The school was established in 2025 by locals with a passion for the Irish language, it started with just one prefab and it has grown greatly since then," she explained.

"As our numbers grew, we ended up with five prefabs in total, including two ASD special classes and two mainstream classes. Our board of management chairman did a lot of work on our behalf to help push the plans for a new school."

In March of 2024, staff and students relocated to the Borris Innovation Centre, located at the old convent in Borris-in-Ossory. This was to allow for the extensive construction works to be carried out.

"We are still operating from the convent at the minute, they very kindly accommodated us to allow our 50 plus children and staff somewhere to set up in the meantime," Ms Kennedy explained.

Pictured: an artist's rendering of the new school under construction for Gaelscoil Shlí Dála

The new school was originally hoped to have been completed by September of 2023, and following delays a target of September 2024 was set. The principal explained that these delays were due to issues with the foundations, which have been resolved.

"Our building is progressing very well, we are waiting on our new activity hall to be delivered, we hope that it will come this January so we can move into the school in early March," Ms Kennedy said.

"It is a long ongoing process but a worthwhile one, there is great excitement among students over the new school. It is fantastic for students in our special classes in particular, as we will have new facilities and sensory rooms to assist with regulation, and equipment specific to their needs," she said.

"The community is very excited. Being a small Irish speaking school, we don't only focus on the language, but very much into Irish culture too. We have very strong music and drama groups, a lot of our students are involved in Scór and comhaltas. Any organisation with a link to Irish culture, we have ties," the principal explained.

"Our community has been very exposed to the school and this passion over the years, and most children in the locality have attended our school. Our first school year was 2005 to 2006, so this will be our 20th year. We are hoping to mark this anniversary with some celebrations," Ms Kennedy finished.

Local Fine Gael County Councillor Conor Bergin also welcomed the approach of the school's opening.

"It is great to see progress on the new Gaelscoil Sli Dála in Ballaghmore," Cllr Bergin said.

"This is a fantastic step forward for the community and well done to everyone on all their efforts to get the new school delivered. Delighted to see it moving ahead," the Cllr finished.

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