There was great excitement at St. Mary’s Central School this morning as pupils, staff, and special guests gathered for the official opening of our brand-new school playground.
The project was made possible thanks to a remarkable donation of €23,000 from GP Wood Ltd, who proudly came on board as the main sponsor. Representing the company on the day was Susan Grainger, Director of GP Wood, who had the honour of cutting the ribbon and declaring the playground officially open.
This generous contribution reflects GP Wood Ltd’s deep and lasting commitment to supporting our local community. Over the years, they have backed several of our school projects, and their continued generosity has made a real and lasting impact on the lives of our pupils. We are incredibly grateful for their support.
Our heartfelt thanks also go to our fantastic Parents Association, who – along with financial support from local businesses – raised the remaining funds through a series of fundraising events. Their hard work and dedication ensured this project became a reality for the children of St. Mary’s. Special thanks to Deirdre Murphy, Chairperson of the Parents Association, and Dan Holland, chairperson of our Board of Management, who along with members of both associations joined us at the opening ceremony.
We were also honoured to welcome back former principal Tessy Hennessy, whose vision and initiative many years ago led to the successful negotiation for the land on which our school pitch and beautiful new playground now sit. Tessy’s foresight ensured that future generations would have the space they need to learn, play, and thrive — and today, we see the fruits of that wisdom.
The new playground promises to be a fun, safe, and engaging space where pupils can enjoy active play, build friendships, and create joyful memories for years to come.
