IT WAS the dawning of a new era at Enniscorthy CBS on Friday as a new state of the art €500,000 extension was officially opened with a special ceremony at the school.

The new wing of the school consists of a total of five classrooms and two resource rooms which gives staff and students some much-needed new space to accommodate the growing numbers attending the school. It is also fully kitted out with projectors, WiFi and all the latest technology.

“We had been looking for it for a few years,” said Principal John Ryan. “We’ve seen an increase in the amount of students in the past few years and space was getting a little bit tight. We were well supported by our local politicians and TD’s like Paul Kehoe, John Browne at the time, and Brendan Howlin, all of whom were present for the opening.”

Construction on the project began in August of last year and a combined effort from Pádraig Smith architects from Wicklow and Reade Construction leaving an impressive finished product which Mr Ryan and his staff are delighted with.

The new extension will now be known as Áras Kerrigan after Brother Ned Kerrigan, a past pupil of the school who died while working as a missionary in Sierra Leone. A native of St John’s Villas, Brother Kerrigan was shot dead in April 1995 during the Civil War which was raging in Sierra Leone at the time. He was a member of the class of 1954 and some of his old classmates were present on the day of the opening, along with his sister Carmel Considine who performed the official opening.

“We thought it was a fitting tribute,” said Mr Ryan. “It ensures that his memory is kept alive. From now on, people will see the plaque on the wall and his story will be told. We also have an ongoing relationship with Sierra Leone in the school. Through our immersion programme, some of our students visited the town that Brother Kerrigan ministered in and we’ve also welcomed visitors from Sierra Leone to the school.”

Bishop Denis Brennan performed a blessing on the new building and all present were delighted to see the dawning of a new era at the Enniscorthy school.

Carmel Considine unveiling a plaque with principal John Ryan to mark the official opening of the new extention to St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy. Pic: John Walsh