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Pictured at this week’s meeting in Glenroe NS about it becoming a Gaelscoil were Principal Michael Dennehy, Norma Sheehy, Mary Coffey, Helen Buckley, Nicola Dennehy and Fiona Walsh Clahane. Photo: Sandra Quinn

There could be a 'Scoil Nua' in Gleann Rua by this time next year, as support for the national school converting into a Gaelscoil was strong at a public meeting held in the school on Monday last.

Speaking at the meeting, Mary Coffey said that the school is well situated and equipped to become a Gaelscoil and that the children will pick up the Irish language very easily.

She added that due credit must go to Michael O'Sullivan, a past pupil of Glenroe and the Principal of Shanballymore NS, who first thought of the idea of the school becoming a Gaelscoil and she said that it would bring the school full circle.

When Patrick Weston Joyce and Robert Dwyer Joyce were born in the 1800s, the Glenroe and Ballyorgan areas were strong Gaelic areas and she said that they should revert back to that and preserve that bit of local culture and heritage.

Ms Coffey said that when the school held their Irish day, it showed how quickly the children picked up their native tongue and if so much could be achieved in just one week, she said that the opportunities for a Gaelscoil are vast.

In order to retain its two teachers, the national school in Glenroe must have 20 pupils enrolled, and in a bid to secure those numbers and change the direction of the school, they are hoping to become a Gaelscoil.

The school currently has 14 pupils and Ms Coffey told the meeting that becoming a Gaelscoil could present a new beginning for the school.

"We need numbers on the rolls - we don't have a school if we don't have numbers on the rolls," she said.

Speaking about the advantages of being a Gaelscoil, Principal Michael Dennehy said that children who are fluent in Irish, achieve better academically, can learn a third and fourth language easier and it gives them a connection to their culture and heritage.

He pointed out that the nearest Gaelscoils are in Tipperary Town, Fermoy, Mallow and Newcastle West, so Glenroe would be ideally placed and he hopes that they would encompass a wide catchment area.

He explained that the Gaelic would come into the school on a phased basis with the junior infant classes starting first, before it is gently introduced to the school bit by bit and he hopes that the students will start speaking Irish in a natural and fluid way.

Nicola Dennehy said that anyone who might be interested in sending their children to the Gaelscoil could try it out with the free Easter Camp, which is being run from April 2-4 in the school from 10.30am until 2pm.

"The idea of the camp is to allow the kids to use Irish in a fun and conversational way," Nicola said.

She added that if it is successful, they hope to be able to build on it, as they are considering the possibility of a summer camp as well.

To find out more about the campaign to turn the national school into a Gaelscoil, people are welcome to pop into the school any time, or to call them on 063-86080.

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