HaggleRock Theatre Group makes donations to three local community groups

Presentations of €1,000 to St Fursey’s National School from HaggleRock Theatre Group. From L to R: Noeleen Gernon – HaggleRock, Patricia Reynolds – Chairman of HaggleRock, Principal Marie Doonan – St Fursey’s School and Michelle Reidy – HaggleRock

HaggleRock Theatre Group gathered on Thursday evening in The Stone House Restaurant, Blackrock to hand over donations to three local community groups which was a result of the proceeds from their recent sell out performance ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’.

Chair Patricia Reynolds said: “I am delighted to be in a position to hand over three donations to our local community in Haggardstown and Blackrock.  The group’s aim from the beginning in June 2014 was to have fun and enjoy the genre of theatre/acting and in addition to make new friends and give back to the community.”

That dream became a reality as the members gathered to celebrate the success of their first performance of ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’ and were proud to be able to give something back to their local communities.

The first donation of €1,000 went to St Fursey’s National School in Haggardstown where principal, Marie Doonan collected the cheque on behalf of the school. HaggleRock Theatre Group expressed their thanks in allowing them to hold their weekly meetings and rehearsals for the past seven months free of charge in the school hall.

The second donation of €1,000 was made to The Geraldines’ GFC in Haggardstown with chairman Padraig McDonnell accepting. The Geraldines’ stepped up and offered the use of their hall to stage HaggleRock’s first performance.  The venue proved to be a fantastic choice and the event was a sell out on both nights thanks to strong back up teams from committees in HaggleRock and the Geraldines, who went above and beyond the call of duty.

The final donation of €500 went to the Blackrock Park committee for whom Karen Coan, Richard Martin, Shirley Durkin and Anne Fennelly collected the cheque on their behalf.  This donation was a random choice due to the huge amount of work being undertaken to enhance the park at present. It is hoped that in the near future HaggleRock Theatre will make donations to other organisations in the community from future productions that they plan to stage.

Some other fantastic news announced on the night was the invitation to perform ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’ at the Droichead Arts Centre for three nights on June 16th, 17th and 18th at 8pm.  Tickets can be purchase at their two locations in Stockwell Street and Barlow House on West Street, Drogheda or alternatively on their website www.droichead.com

Presentations of €500 to Blackrock Park from HaggleRock Theatre Group. From L to R: Shirley Durkin and Anne Fennelly – Blackrock Park committee, Brian McElroy, Fiona O’Murchu and Patricia Reynolds – HaggleRock Theatre, Karen Coan and Richard Martin – Blackrock Park.

Presentations of €1,000 to Geraldines GFC from HaggleRock Theatre Group. From L to R: Amy Galligan – HaggleRock, Padraig McDonnell – Chairman of Geraldines GFC, Patricia Reynolds – Chairman of HaggleRock Theatre, Paula Hand – Geraldines’ GFC, Margaret Gamble – HaggleRock and Bernard Young – Geraldines GFC

St Mary’s College meets those concerned by new school project for Dundalk

An artist’s impression of what the new St Mary’s College school would look like

The management of one of the largest second-level schools in the town has moved to allay concerns among some local residents about plans to build a new school in Dundalk on the site of the current school grounds.

With accommodation for up to 900 pupils, the new St Mary’s College post-primary school will have specialist classrooms for subjects including technology, construction studies, home economics and design while there will also be a learning support room. There will also be a library, purpose-built science laboratories, a music/drama room with staging area, over 20 general classrooms, a physical education hall with changing and fitness suites. The plans also include a general purpose hall as well as catering, staff offices and other ancillary space.

External works will provide five ball courts, GAA playing and training pitches, covered bicycle racks, landscaping and 65 car parking spaces. Some 17 of the almost 130 trees on the campus will have to be felled with seven of these identified as requiring removal as they are diseased. In addition, the ground level of the site is being raised in areas as a flood prevention measure.

The project – one of only a handful of new school buildings to be advanced since the economic collapse – is to be delivered through a Public Private Partnership on the site of the existing school which will continue to operate during the 18-month construction period. It is hoped that the new school will be ready for classes to commence in September 2016.

In response to local concerns, residents in the area have met Diarmaid Ó Murchú, chairman of the school’s board of management; Con McGinley, principal, St Mary’s College and representatives of the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers). As trustees of the school founded in 1861, the Marist Fathers are providing the site for the new school within the existing 11-acre grounds on St Mary’s Road.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Ó Murchú said: “It was a good opportunity for us to hear first-hand from people living close to the school and to try and address any legitimate concerns they may have about what is planned. Naturally, there was a lot of interest in finding out how the new school building will impact on those who live nearby and we sought to provide both information and reassurance. We remain open to further discussions and engagement.

“In terms of the planning process, our professional team are currently assembling the further information requested by the local authority last month. One of the big opportunities that the new school building project gives us is to address existing issues around access for vehicles to and from the school when pupils are being dropped off or collected. Using separate entrances and exits will help ease congestion at the morning and afternoon peaks.”

Mr McGinley added: “As principal of the school, I’m very aware of the limitations of the current buildings which are a mix of the original 1861 school and various additions made over the last century and a half. Indeed, the only current classrooms that meet best practice in terms of space and layout are in our four pre-fabricated buildings. Knowing the benefits to current and prospective pupils, the teaching staff and board of management are very excited to have got the go-ahead nationally to proceed with our plans.

“In basic terms, the new school building will mean that the boys and girls who attend St Mary’s College will have access to the very best of modern school accommodation. We will also be able to provide a greater subject choice and cater more fully to a wider range of learning styles and abilities. Ours will be one of just 12 new secondary schools in the entire country to proceed to construction this year and it is testament to the whole school community and the support we have always enjoyed in Dundalk that we have been approved. This also recognises the growing demand for school places and demographic trends tell us this will continue.”