Seir Kieran NS, Clareen, Birr, Co. Offaly

New Extension

In 1991 due to an increase in numbers, a third teacher was appointed to the staff of Seir Kieran’s N.S. As no other accommodation was available, the parish hall was used for a number of weeks. Due to health and safety reasons, classes soon had to leave the parish hall and the only option was for the corridor between the original building and the 1983 extension to be used as a classroom. As a matter of urgency a small, one room prefabricated building was purchased and placed on the school grounds. In 1993 this prefab was replaced by a larger one. While we were very happy with this prefab, it certainly did not fulfil the basic needs of the pupils. It had no toilet facilities or no running water. It encroached on the school yard, thus deceasing the play area for break times.

In 1999, due to increasing numbers, the Board of Management applied for an extension to the school. It would be almost ten years later before this would finally come to pass. In 2001 a further increase in numbers resulted in a fourth teacher being appointed. Pupils were accommodated in the Parish Hall once again. Classes were taught in the Parish Hall until October 2002 when the school was given a new prefabricated structure which consisted of two classrooms, an office and a resource classroom. To accommodate the removal of the older prefab and the erection of the new one, the middle classes had to join the junior classes in the hall for a number of weeks. Once everything was in place, 1, 2nd 5 and 6 classes moved into the prefabs, as did Mrs. Guinan, for Resource Teaching, and Mrs, Hannon, our school secretary, moved into the office/staffroom.This arrangement continued until June 2008.

In August 2007 work on our present new extension commenced. Throughout the year pupils became very knowledgeable in the basics of both demolition and construction. Not a day went by when something new didn’t appear on the horizon from cranes to cement lorries, diggers, dumpers etc. During August 2008 the Board of Management were given the keys to this new extension. It was with great excitement we finally moved into our new premises in September 2008 - we have never witnessed such enthusiasm from both pupils and staff alike to get back inside the school after the summer holidays!

For more pictures of our school, please see the photographs section of our website.