Friday, 12th June 2026 marked a very special and historic day for Glencastle National School as our newly developed school building and facilities were officially launched and blessed.

​

It was a joyful occasion for pupils, staff, families, neighbours, past pupils, former staff members, members of the Board of Management, clergy, invited guests and the wider Glencastle and Erris community. We were honoured to welcome Most Reverend Bishop Duffy, Reverend Fathers, distinguished guests and all those who joined us to celebrate this important milestone in the life of our school.

​

While the day was a celebration of our wonderful new facilities, it was also an opportunity to look back with gratitude on the long journey that brought us here.

​

The Beginning of a Special Journey

Prior to 1991, there was no facility in Erris for children with special educational needs. The nearest school was in Ballina, meaning that children as young as five years of age were collected by bus on a Monday, placed with host families during the school week, and returned home to their own families on a Friday evening.

​

For families in Erris, this was a very difficult and unsatisfactory arrangement. A group of parents, led by Pat Reidy, began campaigning for children with additional needs to be educated at home in their own community. They lobbied politicians, clergy, Western Care and the Department of Education.

​

At that time, a vacant classroom was identified in Glencastle National School. The school was approached, and in Principal Mary Gaughan, the parents found a great ally. With the support of Fr. Gerry Gillespie and the Board of Management of 1991, a Special Class was established in Glencastle National School.

​

This was a remarkable and forward-thinking step. At the time, a Special Class in a mainstream primary school setting was very rare, and Glencastle became only the second such school in Ireland.

​

The first children came into the Special Class on 8th October 1991. The original staff included Catherine Irwin, Aoife Lavelle and Willie O’Sullivan, working alongside Mary Gaughan and PJ Moran. The classroom and facilities were basic by today’s standards, long before the days of hoists, adjustable tables or interactive whiteboards, but from those humble beginnings began a journey that has changed the lives of so many children and families in Erris.

​

Community Support and the Crinnish Challenge

From the very beginning, Glencastle National School was supported by an extraordinary community. As the need for a purpose-built classroom and improved facilities became clear, the local community once again stepped forward.

​

One night in the Glenside Tavern, a discussion began about who could cross the hill to Crinnish the fastest. From that conversation, the Crinnish Challenge was born. John Murphy, Charlie Donaghy RIP and Val Ruddy RIP helped start an event that would go on to raise thousands of pounds for the school over many years.

That contribution has never been forgotten, and it is fitting that the hall in our school proudly bears the name Halla Crinnish.

​

In 1998, work began on a new Special Class unit. The site was once again generously donated by the McLoughlin family. A Department of Education contribution, originally intended for a prefab, was put towards the building, while the remainder was raised locally through the Crinnish Challenge, the Erris London Association, the Erris Leeds Association, pub quizzes, card games, cake sales and many other community efforts.

In October 1999, the Special Class moved into its new building. The extra space and freedom meant so much to the children and staff. During his speech at the official launch, Willie O’Sullivan recalled one young boy’s excitement as he ran down the corridor and into the PE hall, shouting “Wow, look, we have a new home.”

Those simple words captured the heart of what Glencastle National School has meant to so many children and families over the years. It was never just about classrooms, corridors or facilities. It was about belonging. It was about children being educated in their own community, close to their families, surrounded by people who knew them, cared for them and believed in them.

​

Willie’s words reminded everyone present that the story of Glencastle’s Special Class began with parents who simply wanted their children to have a place at home in Erris. From that first classroom in 1991, to the purpose-built unit in 1999, and now to the wonderful new facilities officially launched and blessed on Friday, 12th June 2026, that same spirit has carried through.

​

Growing and Adapting

Over the years, Glencastle Special Class continued to grow and adapt to meet the needs of the children. A new kitchen and dining room extension was added in the mid-2000s, creating a wonderful space for cookery lessons, celebrations and daily school life.

​

However, the heart of the Special Class was never simply the building. It was always about the children, their families, the staff and the relationships built over many years. Every member of staff who worked in Glencastle contributed to the special story of the school.

​

As time moved on, needs changed again. In 2016, a separate ASD Class was opened in a prefab at the front of the school. As numbers continued to grow, and the need for an Early Intervention Class became clear, a new class opened in 2020. This was accommodated by dividing the existing Special Class building, but it was only ever a short-term solution.

​

With growing pupil numbers, limited space and issues including pyrite in the building, the need for a major new development became urgent. Led by Principal Catherine McIntyre, plans were put in place for a new Special Class building and a complete revamp of the school and yard.

​

A Vision for an Integrated School Community

During the official opening, Tom McAndrew, Chairperson of the Board of Management, reflected on his own journey with Glencastle National School. Having retired from his work with the Department of Education as an educational psychologist, Tom recalled that he had planned to spend his retirement travelling, reading, walking and playing bridge. However, when Catherine McIntyre asked him to become involved with the Board of Management, he agreed.

​

Tom has chaired the Board of Management for the past fifteen years and has seen many changes during that time, from PJ Moran’s retirement and Catherine McIntyre’s appointment as Principal, to the official opening of the new school building. He spoke warmly of the school staff, Principal, parents and his colleagues on the Board of Management, acknowledging the many issues and hurdles that were successfully navigated over the years. He noted that when he began in 2011, the school had approximately six staff members, a number which has now trebled.

​

Tom also spoke about the clear vision that guided this building project from the beginning. In his work with the Department of Education, he had seen many examples of mainstream schools with attached special classes throughout the country. While those schools did excellent work, he felt there were aspects that Glencastle wanted to approach differently.

​

At Glencastle, the aim was to create an integrated model of education. The vision was for one whole school community, where all children would come in the same front door, mix with each other as far as practicable during the school day, and learn in an environment where difference would be acknowledged and respected.

This vision is central to the new school building. It is a school where all children can learn from one another, where inclusion is part of everyday life, and where every child is valued as an important member of the school community.

​

Tom also paid tribute to the staff, describing them as critical to the success of the school. From the beginning, staff were encouraged to develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide the best possible learning experiences for all children. He praised them as outstanding professionals and spoke of the hugely important work they do each day.

 

Thanks from the Board of Management

Tom McAndrew used his address to thank the many people who helped bring the project to completion.

He thanked the current Board of Management, including Fr. Tom Doherty, Catherine McIntyre, Thomas Meenaghan, Sinead Barrett, Noel McLoughlin and Mary Lavelle, as well as former Boards of Management, all of whom gave their time voluntarily in support of the school.

​

He also acknowledged the support of public representatives, including Dara Calleary, Minister Ring, Alan Dillon, Rose Conway-Walsh, Keira Keogh, and Councillors Sean Carey and Gerry Coyle.

​

Tom expressed sincere thanks to the design team who helped create the beautifully designed new building. This included Ml Horan, Conor Callaghan and Joanna Nunes from AXO Architects; Jacinta Kelly, Pat Howley and Anne Taafe from the ETB; Olivia and Leonard from Leonard Gildea QS; Eamonn O’Neill from Taylor & Boyd; John Carr and Ross from Heavey Kenny Associates; and Laura and Michelle from Safety Solutions.

​

A very special word of thanks was given to Kellmans, the builders of the project, including Cathal Kelly, John Sheridan, Mark Corrigan and Fred Kelly. Tom said the school was blessed to have them involved. He praised them for listening to the school, taking views on board, speaking honestly about what could and could not be done, and making every effort to work with the school while minimising disruption.

​

One of the great achievements of the project was that all children remained on site throughout the build. This required great cooperation, planning and understanding from everyone involved. Tom said that above all, Kellmans wanted the best result for Glencastle National School: a building that would meet the needs of the pupils and the wider school community.

 

A Tribute to Principal Catherine McIntyre

One of the most heartfelt moments of Tom McAndrew’s address was his tribute to Principal Catherine McIntyre.

Tom said that no words could fully describe the work Catherine carried out, particularly over the previous three or four years. When the project began, Catherine was teaching a class, running the school, dealing with builders, architects and members of the design team, engaging with the Department of Education and the ETB, communicating with parents, answering phone calls and managing countless other queries.

​

When her post became administrative, the workload became a little easier in one sense, but no less demanding. Throughout the build, Catherine dealt with builders, planners, tenders, the Department of Education, the ETB and the many practical and financial demands of the project.

​

Together with Maeve McDonnell of the Board of Management and school secretary Mary Meenaghan, Catherine oversaw the financial side of the project. Tom noted that the project was initially expected to cost just over €1 million, but due to changes requested by the Department of Education, the final cost came to €5.1 million. He praised Catherine’s financial oversight, noting that the books balanced exactly at the end.

​

Tom also spoke of Catherine’s patience, persistence and determination in dealing with drawdowns, VAT and other issues with the Department of Education. He acknowledged that there were difficult conversations along the way, but through great commitment and perseverance, all matters were successfully resolved.

​

He recalled Catherine often still working in the school at six or seven o’clock in the evening, as well as at weekends and during holidays. Even when encouraged to go home to her family, her reply was often, “But I have things to do.”

​

On behalf of the Board of Management, Tom commended Catherine for her hard work, diligence and dedication, saying that the fine new building is a result of her extraordinary commitment.

​

Míle buíochas, Catherine.

 

A New Chapter for Glencastle NS

The project we celebrated on 12th June 2026 did not happen overnight. It was the result of years of vision, planning, determination and hard work by a great many people.

​

We are deeply grateful to every Board of Management, past and present, whose leadership and commitment helped bring us to this day. We also thank the many families, individuals, organisations and community groups who fundraised, donated, volunteered, sponsored events and supported the school in any way.

​

Special thanks were expressed to all those involved in the Crinnish Challenge, Seán and Geraldine Ruddy and all supporters of The Erris Exiles, Community Cycling Club, Bobby Carty, Margaret Lennon, Linda Conway, Teresa and Ray Whelan, Jimmy Donoghue, Teresa and Peter Keegan, Lennon Quarries, Cathal Shevlin, Maidstone, the Carey family, Paul and Andrea Barrett, Bernie Rowe, and most recently, The Northampton Irish Vintage Tractor Club.

​

Sincere gratitude was also expressed to the McLoughlin family for their continued generosity and support, especially Noel and Marion, and Tom and Noreen, for donating the site on which the new building and playground now stand.

​

The school remembered with gratitude Orla Cawley, go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a hanam, who assisted with the initial application paperwork and was a loyal supporter and friend of the school community.

​

Thanks were also extended to John Culhane, former Special Educational Needs Organiser, Flor O’Mahony, Visiting Teacher for the Deaf, and the many people within the Department of Education who guided and supported the project, including Daniel Hourigan, Jessica O’Meara, Edel O’Mara, Cathal Whitney and Ross Cassidy.

​

The school also acknowledged Tom, David and Sarah McLoughlin for allowing access to the building site through their private property and for providing parking facilities throughout the project, as well as the patience and understanding of neighbours Noel McLoughlin and Fiona Reilly, David and Sarah McLoughlin, Bríd and John McDermott, and Gerry and Ann McAndrew throughout more than two years of construction.

​

Thanks to All Who Helped

A very special word of thanks was given to the dedicated staff, their spouses and families, and school caretaker Aidan Doherty, who gave so much of their own time throughout the different phases of the project. Their work included dismantling classrooms, packing and storing furniture and equipment, setting up classrooms and helping to ensure that disruption to pupils’ learning was kept to a minimum.

​

Thanks were also expressed to Mark, Fred, Cathal and John from Kellmans Development, whose cooperation and hard work helped ensure that the school could reopen on schedule.

​

The school is also grateful to local businesses who provided storage boxes, to Mary Hickey for generously allowing the school to use her shed for storage, and to Christina Hopkins and Mary Ellen Rowland and their families for their outstanding work in cleaning, organising and preparing the school.

​

Further thanks were extended to Vermilion Energy Belmullet and Brendan Lynch for funding which enabled the purchase of the swing and trampette for the playground, to Gerry Coyle for assistance with the Oweninny Fund application which supported the purchase of the spinning bowl, and to T.J. and Irene Lennon for their generous support in funding the paving of the courtyards.

​

Special recognition was given to Maeve McDonnell, Treasurer of the Board of Management, who worked diligently alongside school secretary Mary Meenaghan to manage the school’s finances and accounts throughout the project.

​

A heartfelt tribute was also paid to Chairperson Tom McAndrew, who led the project from the very beginning. His time, energy, expertise, leadership and commitment were central to bringing the project to such a successful conclusion.

​

A Day to Remember

The official launch and blessing of Glencastle National School was not just the opening of a building. It was a celebration of community, inclusion, generosity and belief in the children of Erris.

​

From the parents who campaigned in 1991, to the staff and Boards of Management who carried the vision forward, to the wider community who supported the school through fundraising, volunteering and encouragement, this day belonged to everyone who played a part in the Glencastle story.

​

Willie O’Sullivan’s recollection of the young boy’s words in 1999 gave the day a powerful connection to the past: “Wow, look, we have a new home.” On Friday, 12th June 2026, those words felt just as meaningful once again. They reminded everyone present that this new building is not only a school facility, but a home from home for the children of Glencastle National School.

​

As we celebrate this new chapter, we do so with gratitude for everyone who helped make it possible: the parents who campaigned, the staff who cared, the Boards of Management who led, the community who fundraised, and all those who believed in the children of Erris.

​

Glencastle National School once again had reason to say: “Wow, look, we have a new home.”

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.