'Breithlá sona duit do Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir

The organisations which support Irish-medium Education in the North are also celebrating the success of Derry’s Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir as it turns 25 years old this year.

Speaking to Derry Now, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta and Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta both wished the school at the heart of the Brandywell ‘a very happy birthday’.

Established in 2000 by the Department of Education, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta promotes, facilitates and encourages Irish-medium Education and Irish-medium schools.

Derry's Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir's milestone birthday

Silver Jubilee: Gaelscoil Éadain Mhoir is 25 years old and going from strength-to-strength

Its vision is “a network of vibrant, viable Irish-medium schools, from pre-school to post-primary, providing excellence in education, at the heart of developing Irish Language communities”. 

Maria Thomasson, acting CEO of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta said: “Guíonn Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta gach rath ar Ghaelscoil agus ar Naíscoil Éadain Mhóir agus iad ag ceiliúradh 25 bliain ar an fhód i mbliana.

Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir Trad band with band leader Jack Warnock who will be working with the group this year.

“Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta congratulates Gaelscoil and Naíscoil Éadain Mhóir on the 25th anniversary of their opening.

“Since the establishment of Naíscoil Éadain Mhóir in 1997 and Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir the following year, both have continued to flourish and provide high quality education through the medium of Irish to pupils in the city of Derry.

“The Department of Education officially recognised Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir in 2002, a year after the school moved from premises on the site of Seán Dolan’s GAA to its present home at the Gas Yard in Derry’s Brandywell.

“Along with Derry’s other two Irish-medium primary schools, the Gaelscoil serves as a focal point for immersion education in the City.

“Despite the confines of their current premises, enrolments have continued to increase year on year at Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, with current numbers at 172 in the Gaelscoil and a full complement of 26 in the Naíscoil.

“This total exceeds the Department of Education’s sustainability threshold, allowing for capital investment in the school’s accommodation in the future.

Ag foghlaim tríd an súgradh.

“Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta will continue to work closely with the Gaelscoil, the Department of Education and the wider Irish-medium community in Derry City to ensure that future generations of children attending Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir will do so in fit for purpose, high quality school buildings.

“On behalf of staff and board members of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, I wish Gaelscoil and Naíscoil Éadain Mhóir continued success in the coming years. Go n-éirí go geal libh amach anseo.”

Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta was set up in February 2001, to  provide a financial foundation for the development and support of the Trust Fund for Irish-Medium Education.

Extending his good wishes to Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, Pilib Ó Ruanaí, Chief Executive of Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta said: “Tréaslaíonn Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta le Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir agus í ag ceiliúradh 25 bliana ó lá a bunaithe. 

“Bhí Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta sásta cuidiú leis na ceannródaithe a scaip soiscéal na Gaelscolaíochta i nDoire Cholmcille agus beimid sásta seasamh taobh le ceannairí na scoile go dtí go mbeidh foirgneamh buan agaibh atá tuillte acu le fada an lá. Go mba fada buan sibh. 

Pupils from Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir pupils doing some gardening.

“Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta / The Trust Fund for Irish Medium Education congratulates Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir as they celebrate their 25th anniversary.

“Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta helped support the early pioneers who struggled to ensure that the people of Derry City had the option to educate their children in Irish and we will continue to support you until you have a permanent school building that is fit for purpose, which is long overdue.

“Long may you continue to deliver for the children of Derry.”