Cross Community Welcome for Ballyfinnane School Playground

Principal Catherine O’Shea (left) with Mrs. Noreen Roper and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, TD. and pupil, Shaiden Lyne with members of the school and local community and Cllr. Jackie Healy Rae, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell and Cllr. Charlie Farrelly at the opening of the new Ballyfinane Community Playground. Photograph: Ballyfinnane NS

Ballyfinane National School in partnership with Ballyfinane Hall Committee are delighted to have received CLÁR Funding for their community playground which was opened recently by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, TD.

Principal Catherine O’Shea said she is delighted with this new addition to the locality as it provides a great social outlet for families and gives the boys and girls a safe and fun place to play during breaks.

Partnership Initiative

“This wonderful initiative is a partnership with the local school, hall committee and Kerry County Council who joined together to secure a suitable site,” said Ms. O’Shea.

“Funding for the playground was provided through the CLÁR initiative and from the local Tour de Ballyfinane Cycle which is organised annually by Ballyfinane National Sschool Parents’ Association.

Children Overjoyed

“All the young boys and girls in Ballyfinane and the local community are overjoyed to have a playground on their doorstep and have given it the big thumbs ups.

“We are delighted to welcome Brendan Griffin TD to the official opening day.

Pupils as Entertainers

“The ribbon was cut at 1pm while the school pupils entertained us with beautiful traditional music and Irish dancing.

“I know that this new playground has involved a tremendous amount of work and commitment and enormous praise and gratitude must be given to the many people who have played a part in making this wonderful dream and facility come through for the children and community of Ballyfinane,” Ms. O’Shea concluded.

Thanks from Eileen Daly

Eileen Daly of the Ballyfinane Hall Commitee thanked her committee for the help and support in choosing the site for the playground and wished the children in the school and the wider community many happy, safe years of fun in their new playground.”

Marie Edwards, Parents’ Association

Marie Edwards of the Ballyfinane Parents’ Association said that the playground is a great asset to the small, rural community.

“It’s lovely for the children and people of Ballyfinane to have a focal point to meet. This would not have been achieved only for the fantastic community spirit and the hard work of the school, board of management, parents’ association, Kerry County Council and Ballyfinane Hall Committee,” said Ms. Edwards.

Mia, Rachel and Ross Have Their Say

Ross Lally is a fourth class pupil in Ballyfinane and he voiced the feelings of the pupils on their wonderful new facility:

“I like the playground because it is good for all ages. It has a climbing frame for the older children, three slides for all ages and a pretend shop for pretend play. It’s lots of fun and I really enjoy it.”

Thumbs Up

Mia Ryan of second class also gives the playground an enthusiastic Thumbs Up:

“I think the playground is lots of fun as there is lots of equipment to play on,” said Mia while Rachel Lally said that she likes all the different equipment to play on.”

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