Minister returns to his old school for extension celebrations

By JACQUELINE HOGGE A MINISTERIAL visit with a difference was experienced in Kiltullagh last week when the local national school welcomed back a past pupil to perform the official opening of its new extension. Ciarán Cannon, Minister of State for Training and Skills joined his mother, Marie, a former principal at the school, and the current principal Maire Hansberry for the celebrations marking the expansion of facilities to cater for a growing school population. [private] School patron Bishop John Kirby and Fr Michael McNamara, PP and chairperson of the school's board of management were also present to mark the special day where the whole community came together at the newly extended school. Minister Cannon hailed the development as proof of what communities can do when given the support and autonomy by the government to oversee capital programmes in their areas. 'It is incredible the work that has been done here in recent years, where the pupils can enjoy first-class facilities and the staff have comfort in delivering education to the area,' he said. 'It is a very special day for me, as I spent many happy days here as a pupil, this school shaped me and I have wonderful memories from it. 'Coming back today to unveil a plaque with my name on it is a very special moment in my ministerial career and it is down to the hard work and ambition of all involved, most especially Fr McNamara who has steered this entire project and is an example to everyone on how to get a job done.' School principal Maire Hansberry paid tribute to everyone who had worked tirelessly over the past year to see the school building further enhanced. 'We had been through a pilot building project back in 2004 where we saw a total refurbishment of the old two-teacher school,' she said. 'That was the first time a board of management had been empowered to oversee the building work and such was its success that it is the model for most school extension projects now. 'The most recent extension was far more straight forward and was completed in time for us returning for a new school year in September. 'Our numbers have increased since the motorway was built as it has opened up the entire area, so now we have a marvelous school building to cater for the growing numbers we expect to continue to attract over the coming years.' Marie Cannon, who taught at the school for over 40 years, said she was very happy to witness its growth in recent years. 'This is a very proud day for me as I share in each and every achievement of the school even though I have been retired for nine years now,' she said. 'It's also a special occasion to have Ciarán back here as a Minister. I remember him well as a student and he wasn't the easiest by any stretch, but he along with my other six children all went to school here, so it is very much part of our family. Mayor of Co Galway Cllr Michael Maher performed the official opening ceremony alongside the Minister while Athenry councillor Peter Feeney was also in attendance. (See also Page 8b, Herald Extra) [/private]