O’Carolan College opens new school building with further extension planned

A FURTHER extension to O'Carolan College, Nobber, was announced by Education Minister Helen McEntee during a visit to view the state-of-the-art new school building last Thursday.

The extension, sanctioned by the Department of Education, will provide five new classrooms, a home economics room, science lab, multimedia lab and office along with circulation space.

The design team is currently examining all options on where to locate the extension on the site with a view to lodging a planning application in the coming months.

Staff and students were delighted to finally move into their long-promised new school building just before the end of school year and O'Carolan College held an open evening last Thursday for the parents and the general community to come and view the modern new facilities which includes a large GP Hall.

Also shown around the school on Thursday was Education Minister Helen McEntee who congratulated the student body and staff on their new school building. Joined by members of the Student Voice team, students Oisín Crahan, Tara Kavanagh, Finn Mc Ellin, and Chloe Young, as well as school officials and LMETB staff, the Minister's visit brought an air of excitement as the students settled into their new surroundings.

As Minister McEntee toured the school, she met with students and staff to witness the impressive facilities available to the O’Carolan College community. She also had the pleasure of meeting former students turned teachers Mr Cathal Rogers Deputy Principal, Ms Andrea Fitzpatrick, Ms Lauren Reilly, Ms Ellen Vaughan, Ms Jade Mc Mahon, Mr Ryan Carry, Ms Abigail Carry, Mr Odhran Clarke, Mr Evan Crosby, Mr Patrick Matthews, Ms Marie O’Connor, Ms Hannah Rooney and Mr Tom Carolan.

O’Carolan College, under the patronage of LMETB, has seen a rapid increase in enrolment to 678 students, with a projected 750 students for September 2025. Chief Executive of LMETB, Mr Martin G O’ Brien, a proud former pupil of the school, highlighted the importance of providing a top-quality learning experience in the new building. Director of Schools, Fiona Kindlon, emphasised LMETB's commitment to supporting students with Autism, with the new facility offering four special classes to enhance educational opportunities in the Louth and Meath region. Minister Mc Entee praised the Chief Executive and school community on their new building, wished students success in their State Examinations, and announced the forthcoming extension that includes additional classrooms, a science lab, multimedia room, home economics room, and office space.

She acknowledged the excellent relationship that existed between her department and LMETB and the work of Ms Sinead Murphy Director and her team within the Estates, Capital and Climate section. Principal Brian Goggins expressed pride in the school's achievements and thanked the entire community for their support and dedication. "The new building at O'Carolan College represents a significant leap forward in providing quality education for the young people of Nobber and surrounding areas," he said.

With the students now in the new school building, the next phase of the project swings into action which will see all prefabs removed from the site and the demolition of the school building just vacated.. The second phase also includes an astroturf pitch, a grass pitch and a hard surface area.