Minister of State Sean Sherlock TD officially “turned the sod” at Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Fermoy today marking the commencement of construction on the state-of-the-art extension at the Post-Primary school in North Cork.

The value of the investment in the Post-Primary school, which is under the auspices of Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB) is €8 million. The funding has been provided by the Department of Education and Skills under the 5 year School Buildings Capital Investment programme (2011-2016).

“This is a great success for the entire school community here at Coláiste an Chraoibhín and one that I am very proud to have supported from the inception,” said Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Seán Sherlock TD.

“This new facility will further cement and support the work of the school community here and assist students to progress and advance in education and sport. There is a wonderful tradition of accomplishment here and I look forward to seeing the school community grow further in the new campus. The Government has invested heavily in bricks and mortar for our educational facilities in Fermoy and right around Cork, a legacy I am proud to have championed.”

“The investment in the new building at Coláiste an Chraoibhín in Fermoy is very significant in national terms; this Post-Primary school will be one of the best equipped teaching facilities in the country on completion,” said Ted Owens, Chief Executive, Cork ETB. “We are delighted to manage such an extensive project for pupils and teachers in North Cork and look forward to the opening of the new build in 2016.”

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Managed by Cork ETB, the new extension will add 3,845 square metres to the existing school and will enable the school to cater for up to 800 students.  The development at Coláiste an Chraoibhín includes general classrooms, specialist lecture rooms, science laboratories, a multimedia learning laboratory, Arts and Crafts room, Home Economics facilities, a new library, Special Education Needs Unit, PE hall, fitness suite and extensive external hard court areas.  On completion of the building project, which is expected in November 2016, the Post-Primary school in Fermoy will be one of the best equipped schools in the country with state of the art facilities.

Coláiste an Chraoibhín Principal, Mr. Christy Healy welcomed the building project by saying, 
“Our school has a long tradition of academic excellence, and the addition of best-in-breed education and sports facilities will further enhance the reputation of the school as one of the most progressive Post-Primary schools in Ireland. We are excited about the new development and the benefits that it will bring for pupils, teaching staff and the wider community in the area.”

Work is already underway at the site, lead by Coady Partnership Architects as the Design team, while the appointed contractor is Sammon Contracting Ireland.