Plans have been submitted for a new primary school to serve the township of Carrabane, Athenry.
The Board of St. Joseph’s National School in Carrabane have submitted plans to the county council for a modern two storey school building.
This news school would provide locals with ten classrooms, an outdoor play/sports area, 27 car parking spaces and a drop off area.
It’s proposed in the application that the school be built on lands adjacent to Kilconieron GAA Club, with an entrance and exit onto the L-3114.
Clonfert Diocesan Trustees, owners of the land chosen for the proposed school, have given their consent for a planning application to be submitted.
There’s been broad support for the project in the community with both Kiconieron GAA Club and a private landowner allowing the school to use their land for pedestrian access.
Carrabane Community Development Company have agreed to take over maintenance of this path and allow the school to use the front of their community centre site to build a set down area.
The current Carrabane National School is on the Athenry road, Carrabane.
It caters to 212 students with seven mainstream classes and two classes for children with autism.
The school employs a principal, 12 teachers, six special needs assistants and a full time secretary.
An Ecological Impact Assessment found the new school would not have any negative impact on the flora and fauna of the environment.
However an archaeological assessment of the area found that the new school is close to a number of protected historical sites which would have to be considered in plans.
A decision is due from Galway county council on whether to allow this project to go ahead by March 14.
