Parents in Dunshaughlin have welcomed a promise of an extra class at the local Gaelscoil as “positive news”, following a concerted campaign by families in the town. 

This year, Gaelscoil na Ríthe received applications for places from 130 children, of which they accepted only 26. 

Within that cohort, only four did not already have a sibling at the school; it meant that many families who wanted their child to be educated through Irish were set to be denied that opportunity. 

However, Dunshaughlin parents were determined that would not be the case and set up a campaign, demanding the Department of Education open up a second class in the school. 

Yesterday, officials told Gaelscoil na Ríthe  they could do just that, to the delight of parents. 

On The Hard Shoulder, Áine McKenna said the parents who did not previously get a place at the school are “quite committed” to educating their child through Irish. 

“We're Irish and we're proud to be Irish and we have kind of forgotten about the language,” she explained. 

“My daughter, obviously, I know they will get that in the other school, but I want her to be fluent in Irish and speaking. 

“Then just to have the community spirit for Irish as well.” 

A sign welcoming visitors to the Gaeltacht in Meath. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Meath East TD Sinn Féin Darren O’Rourke described the news as “light at the end of the tunnel”. 

“There's a commitment there in principle,” he said. 

“I think that the Department will support those children who want an Irish medium education; I think the details of that in terms of teaching support, the building itself - whether it's a prefab in the short-term - I think the detail of that has to be worked out. 

“And I think it's important that it is worked out as quickly as is possible.” 

Deputy O’Rourke commended Ms McKenna and the other parents for their “Trojan work”. 

“I know some of the parents literally bought their houses with a view to sending their children to a Gaelscóil,” he said. 

“I know others who, their children went to the nearby naíonrawith a view to getting a place in the Gaelscóil and were refused places based on the shortage of capacity there. 

“I suppose to commend as well the principal in the Gaelscóil, who had exactly the right frame of mind, in terms of ensuring that any child that wanted an Irish medium education would be afforded that opportunity. 

“And hopefully that does come to pass now.”

Main image: A child at a Gaelscoil. Picture by: Alamy.com.