Donegal County Council has been asked to improve the road between two Irish-speaking schools in Meenaboll to support student numbers.
The school communities of both Stramore National School in Glendowan and Gairmscoil Chú Uladh post-primary School in Ballinamore are calling for essential road works to ensure the future of Irish language education.
Councillor Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly brought the schools’ concerns to the council on Tuesday, saying that a resurfaced Meenaboll road would improve efficiency for families and school buses alike.
The road leads from Glendowan to the top of Meenaroy and back onto the main R250.
“The impact of the improvement would extend beyond convenience,” Cllr Kelly said as he shared the views of Stramore NS with a meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford MD. “It would increase the potential of future enrollment and secure the future of Gairmscoil Chú Uladh and preserve the future of the local Irish speaking community for years to come.”
Cllr Kelly also pointed out that Gairmscoil Chú Uladh’s student numbers are on the decline. When the school opened in 2012 it had 288 students, but enrollment has dropped as low as 91 students this year.
“It shows our rural schools are struggling for enrollment, it’s important for us as a council to do everything we can to prevent that from continuing,” Cllr Kelly said.
As a proud DEIS school, GCU recently celebrated record results in the 2024 Leaving Certificate. It was joint first for Donegal in 2024 for progression into third level and featured in second place on the Irish Times feeder schools list for 2023.
GCU, Cllr Kelly said, believes that removing obstacles can assist families in making decisions on their children’s education.
It is estimated that repair works to the roads connecting the schools will cost €369,000. In contrast, a total of €1,331,043 was allocated for the Letterkenny Rural Area in 2024.
Cllr Kelly said he believed that neither the families nor the schools expect the road to be fully resurfaced overnight, and suggested that a section could be completed each year.
“If it was done in phases it would be crucial,” he said, adding that the project would be worth a conversation with Coillte too, as this route passes through Coillte land.
David McIIwaine, Senior Roads Engineer, said that the council will keep a look out for other funding opportunities that may become available.
