A brand new secondary school in south Roscommon may be the only such premises in the country that can open its doors next week without major headaches regarding social distancing measures.
Coláiste Chiaráin on the grounds of the old St St Josephs College on the outskirts of Athlone will welcome 560 pupils back for the new term next week, but the newly built complex is actually designed to cater for almost double that number.
The school brings together the pupils from the former St Josephs and St Aloysius schools in the Athlone area.
The demolition of the old school and attached convent building will take place in the coming weeks, but the new school will incorporate some of the history of the former schools in its makeup , including a Harry Clarke stained glass window from St Aloysius College.
Building work on the brand new 37 classroom school began in May of last year and despite the inevitable delays brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic the keys for the educational facility were officially handed over at a small socially distanced gathering there on last Friday.
Principal Brendan Waldron says there's huge excitement and anticipation in advance of moving into their new state of the art premises, and social distancing will not present a problem.
