A sod-turning event has marked the commencement of construction on a €15 million state-of-the-art special education needs school in Skerries, Fingal.

County Down-headquartered Glasgiven Contracts Ltd has begun construction on the four-acre greenfield site in the Loughshinny area for St Michael's House, which will see the delivery of 16 state-of-the-art classrooms and will include specialised rooms for art, home economics/living skills, and woodwork, as well as a library, GP room, dedicated dining space, a sensory room and therapy rooms.

Designed to support students aged five to 18, the new school is a crucial development for children and young people with special educational needs that will not only help transform teaching and learning environments, but also help broaden opportunities available to the students who attend the school. 

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The project is funded by the Department of Education and Skills, and it is expected to be completed in 2027.

Turning the sod, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O'Leary, said: "After years of dedicated work and advocacy, seeing the spades in the ground is a moment of immense pride and satisfaction for our community. This new, purpose-built facility will make a tangible difference in the daily lives of students, staff, and families when it opens in 2027. 

"Along with amazing efforts of so many parents over many, many years, I want to also acknowledge the hard work of my colleague, Cllr Tony Murphy, who as Chair of the Board of Management for St. Michael's House Skerries, has been instrumental in helping us to reach this vital milestone."

Along with the sod-turning, two doves were released to mark the occasion.