Sod Turned On St Catherine’s New Special School

Some of the St Catherine’s crew… MON1DEC25

t was a busy morning for the young Harris lad, so perhaps it was understandable he was a little late for the turning of the sod at St Catherine’s Special School’s new build in Kilcoole.

This happy task was, after all, being sandwiched between a meeting with the Greek finance wiz Kyriakos Pierrakakis at the Dáil and the opening of St Brigid’s new special class just down the road.

There was a healthy crowd waiting, of course, with not only St Catherine’s Special School staff current and present ready to cheer this mildly historical moment on but also families, local councillors, Kilcoole’s Men’s Shed, St David’s TY students (who worked alongside art teacher Ashling McNamara on the colourful hoarding), plus builders, architects and a whole bunch of merry well-wishers.

Says school principal Clare Cara of the event, “The whole school community is so excited about moving into it’s purpose-built new premises after surviving in two buildings spread over the grounds of Newcastle Hospital, with many of the classrooms cramped, dilapidated and not fit for purpose. The new site will also house St Catherine’s Association’s respite houses, residential services, hydrotherapy pool and more.

“The difference this new build will make to the pupils, service users, families and staff at St Catherine’s will be life changing.”

The state-of-the-art school development will contain 25 classrooms on the 5.2 acre site in Kilcoole.

Speaking on site, Harris said that this day represents a decisive step in Wicklow’s investment in inclusion and education.

“It is an absolute pleasure to be here in the wonderful St. Catherine’s for the official sod turning to mark the beginning of the long-awaited and hard fought for construction of this new state-of-the-art school.”

The Tánaiste also paid tribute to those who had pushed this project forward, including Principal Clare Carr, Chair of the Board of Management Padraig Rushe, and Brendan Whelan of the St Catherine’s Association, along with past leaders, parents, teachers and SNAs.

“Their persistence and commitment to these children and young people have made today possible.”

You can check out some Nikki Langrell shots from today here, St Catherine Special School’s recent 50th celebrations right here, and explore their history here.