Chairman hosts Bunscoil an Iúir 30th Anniversary Celebration

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey helped to celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of the founding of the Bunscoil an Iúir at a reception in District Council offices, Monaghan Row on Thursday 21 November

Speaking at the reception, Chairperson Councillor Casey said, “It is an honour and pleasure to welcome Bunscoil an Iúir to the Council offices to mark this wonderful celebration. It is 30 years since Newry and Mourne District Council’s first Irish Language Officer supported a group of local parents who were determined to provide Irish medium primary education for their children. This could not have been achieved without the support of the wider Newry and Mourne community and elected members.

“I am delighted to say that 30 years on we now have four more Irish medium primary schools and a post primary school established in towns across Newry, Mourne and Down. By offering support to Bunscoil an Iúir, this Council has paved the way for the development of a sustainable Irish medium education.”

Principal of Bunscoil an Iúir, Niall Loughran thanked the Council for hosting the celebration event and all those who contributed to the development and progress of Bunscoil an Iúir for the last 30 years. He said, “I congratulate the staff, school management and parents of Bunscoil an Iúir for their continued support of Irish medium education, for without parental commitment it would be impossible to sustain. These current pupils, staff and parents paved the way for the next generation of Gaels in the district. In the words of An Piarsach, “Tír gan Teanga, Tír gan Anam” (“A country without a language is a country without a soul”).