Construction has officially begun on the new €20 million Clarin College secondary school in Athenry.
The new school is designed for up to 1,000 students, with modern sports and meeting facilities, two special needs classrooms, and 90 car parking spaces.
In outdoor amenities for the children the school will have ball courts; hard and soft play areas, and a track for walking and cycling.
Work on this major upgrade to Athenry’s educational facilities is expected to take roughly 11-12 months to complete.
Galway based JJ Rhatigan & Company Limited are the main building contractors on this rapid build project.
The contract was signed in October but the name of the contractor was not released.
This year is the 50th anniversary of Clarin College, which first opened its doors as the Vocational School Athenry in 1968.
In October the school invited all their alumni to attend a golden jubilee event at the Raheen Woods Hotel.
With a current enrollment of 600 and a teaching staff of 55, this new school will provide the needed space for a growing population in the area.
Galway East TD Sean Canney has said that once the students make the move over to the new school, the old site will be available to develop primary and secondary gaelscoils for the area.
