Longford County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh has officially opened the refurbished Moyne Latin School Heritage Centre.

Work included the renovation and conversion of derelict buildings into the interpretative centre. The project also includes the recreation of the classroom environment of a hedge school using audio-visual technology.

This work allows visitors to learn about the Latin School's history and its influence on education in Moyne and beyond.

Contractor Pauric McCabe finished the Latin School extension, while David Grant completed the audio-visual system. Homebird Design handled the design of LatinSchool.ie, the official website of the Moyne Latin School Heritage Centre.

During the works, the local community worked closely with Longford County Council and its Regeneration team. Latin School Community Centre, Dromard Tidy Towns, Dromard Area Men's Shed, Moyne Community School and St Patrick’s National School have been recognised for all their hard work as the driving force behind this project.

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This project was supported by Longford County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development under their Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Longford County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh said: "It is great to see this truly impressive project now open. Credit must go to the local community for all their hard work, vision and drive to get us here today. I also thank my fellow elected members who supported this project. I encourage all local people and visitors to County Longford to come and experience the impressive Moyne Latin School Heritage Centre."

Longford County Council Director of Services Barbara Heslin stated: "Working with local communities, Longford County Council continues to support projects which revitalise our towns and villages. This new visitor experience is a great example of this work, bringing back previously derelict buildings into use for the benefit of the local community, with tourism and local employment opportunities."

The parish of Moyne has a long and proud history of education, including the many hedge schools that formed in the area. The Latin School started in September 1897 as a two-roomed male secondary school originating from these hedge schools. Education in the classics played an important role in the record number of priests who went from here to missionaries throughout the world. Moyne Community School was developed from the Latin School.