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Minister Norma Foley cuts the ribbon watched by Principal Kieran O’Toole at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
GLORIOUS sunshine greeted guests to Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh on Friday for the official opening of the new extension at the school.
Minister for Education Norma Foley performed the cutting of the ribbon and unveiling of a plaque to mark the occasion.
Watching on were Bishop Ray, Browne, former Minister Jimmy Deenihan, together with local TD’s & Councillors, the Design Team, NOS & Sons Construction ltd, local school principals, retired staff members, local press, and representatives of local agencies, joined pupils, staff, parents association and board of management members.
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Deputy Principal Mr Joe McMahon acted as M.C for the occasion, which took place in one of the new school playgrounds.
Following addresses by Mrs Judy Costelloe (on behalf of B.O.M), Principal Mr Kieran O’Toole, Minister for Education Norma Foley and former Minister Jimmy Deenihan, guests were invited to tour the new development, consisting of six new classrooms, one SET room, three renovated classrooms, and a state-of-the-art ASD suite (with classrooms, multi-purpose rooms and para-educational rooms).
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Minister Norma Foley is presented with a painting by local artist Mikel by Student Council members at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Presentations were made to Minister Foley and Jimmy Deenihan by members of the Students Council, as was a presentation to recently retired Traffic Warden Mary McGillycuddy.
Guests were greeted on arrival to music by school staff and pupils. Bridget Long (parent & friends) from Tralee Pipe Band, did the honours marking the unveiling of the plaque, and Dave Rath got the feet tapping for the afternoon as guests enjoyed refreshments, provided by Denis Doody and his team at Kingdom Kitchen Catering Services Tralee.
The opening of their new building was a day of celebration marking over 20 years of hard work by past and present boards of management, parents’ associations, and school personnel.
Principal Kieran O’Toole described the day as a “landmark day for the school, one which culminated in over 20 years of hard work, determination and perseverance.”
“We now have facilities that we can be proud of, facilities that are imaginative, flexible and uplifting, where pupils and staff alike can maximize teaching and learning experiences.” Scroll down for photos…
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Caroline Kennedy with Principal of CBS Primary Denis Coleman and Principal of Holy Family Maria O’Regan at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Bishop Ray Browne, Minister Norma Foley, Principal Kieran O’Toole and Jimmy Deenihan at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mayor Johnnie Wall, Cllr Sam Locke and Noel Heaslip of Kerry County Council at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Mary Stack Courtney and Catherine Moore at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Leta Musalari, Peggy Sweeney and Kate Norris at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Principal of Spa NS Peter Linehan with Príomhoide Cáit Uí Chonchúir of Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Veronica Donovan, Therese Greaney and Mary V Dennehy at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Conor Shannon, Kieran Kelliher and Deirdre Lyons at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Catherine Moore, Madeleine McCarthy, Sean Farrell, Emma Poff, Carol Anne O’Donoghue and Robert Kennedy at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Members of the Students Council at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Pa Daly TD with Laura O’Sullivan and Kay Galvin at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Siobhan Daly, Marie McSwiney and Fiona Sheehan at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Jimmy Deenihan, Marisa Hanafin and Jimmy Diggins at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Karen O’Leary, Evelyn Casey Dowling, Loretta Kelly, Tracy O’Connor and Casey Enright at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Bishop Ray Browne blesses the new building at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Minister Foley addresses the guests at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Jimmy Deenihan is presented with a painting by artist Damien Slattery by Student Council members at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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At the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Staff providing the music at the official opening of the new extension at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean