Coláiste an Chreagáin Vocational School in Mountbellew has been given the go ahead to construct a new science building on the school grounds.
The school’s board of management submitted plans for a new science building with a classroom and a preparation area at the the north west corner of the school grounds next to the existing building.
Coláiste an Chreagáin Vocational School has provided a practical education for people in the Mountbellew community for more than 80 years.
Before it opened at Bonivon, Mountbellew opened its door as St. Jarlath’s in 1932 the building used to be home to the local workhouse in the 19th century.
It was put on sale in 1931 and the Galway V.E.C. took out a 99 year lease, renovating it to make it fit for day and night classes in practical subjects like woodworking and dressmaking.
No submissions were made to the county council regarding this project, and a report by planning inspectors raised no reason why it shouldn’t be allowed to proceed.
However the inspectors did note that the building is on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage for its past as a workhouse.
The county council made a requirement that the school must hire a suitably qualified archaeologist to monitor construction.
Should any archaeological material be found they will have the power to stop work in order to assess the situation.
Planning permission was awarded to Coláiste an Chreagáin with a total of five conditions attached.
