By Róise Collins
ON Friday morning, Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton visited Donegal, with her first stop at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny.
She later visited Scoil Mhuire National School and Mulroy College in Milford.
The visit to St Eunan’s College was led by the student council, who showed the minister, along with a large delegation of local TDs, senators and councillors, the challenges currently facing the school.
They outlined the urgent need for upgrades to facilities that have not seen a major building project since the 1970s.
During the 45-minute visit, the students showed the minister the stark reality of daily life at the school, including just two science classrooms serving more than 1,000 students and several cramped spaces within the school’s 120-year-old building.
The all-boys school serves not only Letterkenny but also the wider community, with feeder schools extending beyond the town boundaries.
The visit comes amid an intensive and determined campaign led by the school and its dedicated student council for a much-needed 37-classroom extension to the existing buildings. The campaign has received strong backing from both the local community and political representatives.
Last month, a delegation from the school brought their case for a new building directly to the minister during a meeting in Leinster House.
They spoke of their disappointment that the school had been overlooked as part of a multi-billion euro Government school investment programme.
The school, which now has more than 1,000 students and a growing waiting list, has been seeking an extension for more than three decades, spanning the tenures of three successive principals – Fr Michael Carney, Mr Chris Darby and Mr Damien McCrory.
Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton is welcomed to St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny on Friday morning.
The current Principal of St Eunan’s College, Damien McCrory, spoke to the Donegal News following the minister’s visit about the importance of the campaign.
“Everyone saw first-hand the need for an upgrade of our facilities,” he said.
He explained that officials from the Department’s planning and building units carried out an extensive visit to the school grounds last week.
A report is currently being prepared, with the school expecting to receive it within the next week or so.
“We are looking for transparency and a pathway forward,” Mr McCrory added.
He stressed that the project is vital not only for current students, but also for future generations of families connected to the school.
Mr McCrory also spoke of the strong community backing since the campaign began.
“The support we got was unbelievable,” he said.
While acknowledging the disappointment of being left off the initial investment list, he said the school and wider community must now channel that same energy into continuing the campaign and securing progress.
“It is important to upgrade the facilities so we can continue for another 100 years,” he said.
Speaking during her visit to the county, Minister Naughton acknowledged the challenges currently facing the school.
“I am deeply conscious of the importance of ensuring that our schools are equipped to meet the needs of growing communities and evolving educational priorities.
“The story of Saint Eunan’s College is one of resilience, vision and progress, and the school continues to build on its proud tradition while looking confidently to the future.”