By Dearbhla Geraghty

Children from India, Nigeria and Italy will be among the first pupils beginning their school days in a brand new facility in Doughiska tomorrow.

Merlin Woods Primary School will have a Catholic ethos and cater initially for 18 children at Junior and Senior Infants level in a temporary three classroom building between the Amber House Hotel (formerly Racing Lodge) and Centra.

“The children are Lithuanian, Polish, Italian, Nigerian, Indian and Irish,” principal, Paula O’Connor, told the Sentinel yesterday.

“The school is only built seven weeks, and it shows that by pulling together how much you can achieve. We are so grateful to everyone who has given us support, people have been jumping in to help out. Madden’s gave us lovely flowers, others gave furniture, so many helped and gave donations.

“I know it was a business deal for them, but McInerney’s (builders) have bent over backwards for us, they’ve been so flexible and good.”

The teaching staff will consist of a language support teacher, for children whose native tongue is not English, and Ms O’Connor a native of Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe.

Read more in this week's Connacht Sentinel