Munster Express Online

Minister for Social and Family Affairs Minister Martin Cullen TD, opened Waterford’s new Gaelcholáiste Phort Lairge located at Six Cross Roads in the city last Friday.

The newly-established school is the first all-Irish secondary school in the city.

Minister Martin Cullen TD concluded his remarks by congratulating Príomh-oide of the school, Nollaig Ó Cionnaith, the chairman of the school’s board of management, Steven Beatty and all members of the board for bringing the project to fruition.

The Fianna Fáil minister said: “I am delighted that Waterford city has joined all those other towns and cities in Ireland where a post-primary education can be pursued through the medium of Irish. The students currently in first year are trailblazers and are setting the tone and expectations for students to come.

“We need to keep our language alive. Those who, through the Gaelscoil movement, work to perpetuate the use of Irish for future generations deserve our thanks and support.”

Deputy Cullen added that an all-Irish school would help the students in picking up other languages.

He added: “I am delighted to see that the students here study English, French and German as well as Irish. Research shows that students studying two or more languages develop a facility to pick up others. We will not only need linguists in the future but the richness to be derived from additional languages will be of personal enrichment to the students in their own lives and nationally as we try to develop increased intercultural dialogue and understanding.”