School gets green light for extension plan

Planners have given the green light for the construction of a new two-storey extension for Scoil Fhursa on St Mary’s Road.

The school’s board of management had sought permission to demolish the existing pre-fab classrooms and to construct an extension containing four new classrooms, remedial rooms, offices, toilets and a new front entrance.

In the application, architects working on behalf of management said: “There are numerous fire and safety issues with the existing Protected Structure. The classrooms are cramped and severely undersized when compared to current classroom standard sizes. These problems will be resolved with the addition of the extension.

“It would be wrong to allow the children to remain in this building without resolving these issues, when the funds are available to provide them with a high quality safe school environment.”

It is also proposed to eliminate internal walls to create larger classrooms, as all existing classrooms are approximately half the size of a standard Department of Education 80 square metre primary classroom size.

“It is considered that this extension is essential for the continued use of the Protected Structure as a school, while the design and finish are considered reasonable and do not adversely impact upon the appearances or setting of the Protected Structure,” planners said.

They approved the application, attaching 15 conditions, including that the access onto St Mary’s Road is only for emergency.

Scoil Fhursa opened in April 1933, and was named after St Fursey – known as a “laborious preacher and famous visionary” – who was born on Inchiquin island on the Corrib towards the end of the 6th Century.