Over a century since it first opened, Ballyfin National School has been restored and reinvented as a multi-use community facility for Ballyfin and the surrounding area.  Bishop Denis Nulty paid his first visit to Ballyfin when he came to bless and officially open the Old School.

Bishop Denis Nulty & Michel Bergin (Chairman of Laois Partnership) perform the official re-opening of the Old School in Ballyfin, Co. Laois.

Michael Burke is chairman of Ballyfin Community Development Association, who oversaw the project and worked with Laois Partnership to secure €150,000 in funding through the Rural Development Programme.

“Everybody is delighted it is back in good condition, and it will be put to good use. The voting was one of the first things to happen in the school after it was restored, and everybody got a good look around then,” he said. “The two classroom school first opened in 1902 with 119 pupils on the roll. By 2008, when the new Ballyfin NS opened next door, much of the children were being taught in dilapidated prefabs,” explained Michael.

The renovation project overseen by conservation architect Evelyn Duff to ensure that the heritage building was sensitively restored and that all original features were retained where possible. The project took nine months to complete and was funded with the grant from Laois Partnership which was supplemented by local fundraising.

Michael Bergin (Chairman of Board of Laois Partnership) welcomed the new facility and  congratulated the local development group on their hard work. He also spoke about the close relationship between Laois Partnership and the Ballyfin Community.  “I am particularly delighted that Laois Partnership Company has been involved in a number of projects in this area including the provision of a walkway for the community in the local sports field. We have also supported a number of commercial businesses in this area.  All in all this area has received over €250,000.00 in LEADER funding.  This commitment of capital funding in the village is important but also are the other ways that the partnership company supports the area including the work undertaken in the area by participants on the Rural Social Scheme and the Tús Programme.

The building is already being put to good use, Current programs operating from the centre include The No Limits Ability Centre for people with special needs, The Coder Dojo Computer Coding Club for young people. 

See below short video charting the progress of the renovation project on the old school.

The restored old school in Ballyfin.