Home News Education In Pictures: All smiles as two Laois schools officially opened

In Pictures: All smiles as two Laois schools officially opened

By
Alan Hartnett
-

It was a momentous day for two Laois schools on Thursday as they were officially opened.

Education Minister Norma Foley was the guest of honour at both st Francis Special School in Portlaoise and Gaelscoil Thromaire.

She was accompanied by Minister for State at the Department of Finance, Sean Fleming.

The Laois TD also brought the Minister to the site for the new Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) Second Level School in Portlaoise.

Scoil Mhuire Abbeyleix and Castletown National School were also on the list on this whistle stop tour of the county.

Minister Fleming said: “It was great for the Minister to visit these new schools and meet with the students in person.

“The music and other activities performed by the students was truly outstanding. The students were the heroes of the day.”

Photographer Alf Harvey was in both schools and he captured some wonderful pictures.

Check them out below:

ST FRANCIS SPECIAL SCHOOL 

Bus drivers at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
The large attendance at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Mohammed presents flowers to Minister for Education Norma Foley TD at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Mary Fingleton daughter of Joan Tyrrell with Sr Helen Hyland who founded the school in 1968 pictured at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Singers performing at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Enjoying the entertainment at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
James McInerney performing at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
The large turnout at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Jack Holmes performing at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Singers at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Staff at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
The official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Musicians perform at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD is welcomed by Stephen Carroll at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Bishop Denis Nulty on tour at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Paul Quail, Teresa Browne, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Fr Paddy Byrne at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Aideen Coss and Simone Hibbitts at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Pauline Gill with Patrick and Anne Creagh at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Aideen and Sinead Cost with Lydia Senior at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Fr Paddy with deputy principal Elaine Mullally at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Former pupils at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Posing for the camera at the official opening of the St. Francis School new building in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
School founder in 1968 Sr Helen Hyland with Minister for Education Norma Foley TD; Bishop Denis Nulty; principal John Moran and public representatives Brian Stanley TD, Minister Sean Fleming TD, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald and Cllr John Joe Fennelly at the official opening of the new St. Francis School in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD cuts the tape at the official opening of the new St. Francis School in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
John, Conor and Shirley Hearns at the official opening of the new St. Francis School in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD unveils the stone at the official opening of the new St. Francis School in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
SNA Elaine Scully with Conor Kelly at the official opening of the new St. Francis School in Portlaoise.
Photo: Alf Harvey.

GAELSCOIL THROMAIRE

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister Sean Fleming TD meeting pupils at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Some of the attendance at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
The official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Former principal Liam O’Neill speaking at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Performing music at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
The official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister Sean Fleming TD meeting pupils at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD is presented with flowers at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Seated in the sunshine at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD; Bishop Denis Nulty and Minister Sean Fleming TD at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
All smiles at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Bishop Denis Nulty; Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister Sean Fleming TD plant a tree at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Bishop Denis Nulty; Minister for Education Norma Foley TD; Mairéad Ní Nualláin, Board of Management Cathaoirleachat; Principal Áine Mhic Aodha Bhuí and Minister Sean Fleming TD at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD cuts the tape with Bishop Denis Nulty, Minister Sean Fleming TD and staff and pupils at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD with Bishop Denis Nulty, Minister Sean Fleming TD and staff and pupils after cutting the tape at the official opening of the new Gaelscoil Thromaire.
Photo: Alf Harvey

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