The new Edmund Rice Senior School and Catherine McAuley Junior School at Castlemoyle, near Irishtown is nearing completion. Pic: John Walsh

THE NEW primary school buildings in New Ross are due to open on January 19, 2017.

Speaking to the New Ross Echo yesterday, Brian McMahon, said that is the date earmarked for opening.

“The Junior school is finished and the Senior school is to be finished by January 22,” he said.

“In fairness, Sammon are working late nights and weekends to get it over the line,” he added.

Outlining the plan for the New Year Mr. McMahon said the details are as follows:

Schools will re-open after the Christmas break on January 9 at which point the new school populations will still be in the old Michael Street and St. Joseph’s schools – where they are currently located.

“We start packing as we go through that week and the removals firm moves in on the afternoon of Friday 13,” he added.

“No, we are not superstitious,” he quipped with regard to the date.

“They begin moving all our stuff over that weekend and the new schools are supplied with completely new furniture, technology .etc. so the only thing we actually need to move is filing cabinets, books, sports equipment, maths and science equipment, etc.”

Pupils will stay at home on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, January 16, 17 and 18, while staff are trained in and made familiar with the new facilities.

“The pupils arrive in for the first time then on Thursday 19,” said Mr. McMahon.