On Monday September 27^th, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin took a trip down memory lane as he visited Cork post-primary boys’ school Coláiste Chríost Rí where works on a €4.5 million investment project are commencing. The first phase of the project, temporary Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation & facilities, is set to launch at the beginning of 2022.

Earlier in the year, the school was successful in their grant application for funding under the Department of Education’s Provision of Additional Accommodation 2021 Scheme. The expansion project represents significant investment at the Turners Cross based school which, on completion in 2024, will increase its student capacity by a further 25%.

Padraig Mac An Rí, Principal commented, “We have now finalised and appointed a stellar design team, and we are one step closer to making our vision for our school a reality. We are currently on track to have our temporary SEN facilities in place by the first quarter of next year allowing us to deliver on our commitment to the community whilst the construction project is in process”.

Addressing the teaching and student body ahead of his visit to the school, the Taoiseach spoke of the nostalgia he feels whenever he returns to the school and the happy memories it evokes, “The years I spent at Chríost Rí were some of the happiest and most formative of my life. Every child should have a school experience of the standard that CCR and schools like it across the country provide. Year-on-year this school is experiencing 30% growth in enrolment applications, so this expansion project is crucial in enabling them to take on more students and to continue to deliver an exceptional education experience”.