Energy efficiency will be at heart of new Moynalty school

Moynalty's new primary school is to be built to the energy-efficient Passive House Ireland standard. This involves a number of challenging aspects to building such as high levels of insulation, window glazing, energy efficiency and an enveloped or airtight build. The resulting building promises to be hugely energy efficient and extremely eco-friendly in its running. The ceremony of commencement for the new primary school took place on Thursday 9th June last, in the presence of the board of management, staff, the pupils of sixth class, representatives of the school parents' committee, representatives of builders Purcell Construction, and Pat Kelly from the Department of Education and Skills. Sixth class pupil James Cassidy placed the foundation brick in the school wall. The building and site were blessed by Fr Joseph McEvoy, parish priest of Moynalty, and chairperson of the board of management. Proceedings were set underway and concluded by Denise Ward, the school principal. The new school replaces an existing school beside the church in Moynalty which was built in 1938. Half of the children at the school have been in prefab accommodation for the last 10 years, some others for much longer. The board of management pursued the possibility of a new school and the parish of Moynalty provided the site. The Department of Education and Skills came up with the design, which will be taken up and used as a new generic small school design. The board of management expressed its gratitude to Niall Lowther and Pat Kelly from the Department of Education and Skills, and Gerry Dolan and Don McMahon from Purcell Construction for their presence and assistance with the commencement ceremony. The board also thanked the parent body for its forbearance and patience in the venture, and to Fr McEvoy for arranging the site and for his efforts to secure the school for Moynalty parish.