Pictures: Ballyhale’s Scoil Aireagail celebrates official opening of new fitness suite

A brand-new, state-of-the-art facility has been opened at Scoil Aireagail, designed to promote health, wellbeing, and lifelong fitness among students and staff.

The official opening took place on Wednesday at the school, with staff, students, parents, Board of Management and members of the local community in attendance. Former Kilkenny hurler Michael Fennelly, Ger Long and TD Natasha Newsome Drennan, who all attended school in Scoil Aireagail, spoke at the celebration.

The guests, who included Senator Malcolm Noonan, Cllr Jenny Catt, Cllr Deirdre Cullen, Cllr Fidelis Doherty, Cllr Joe Sheridan and representatives from Ballyhale, Mullinavat and Carrickshock GAA clubs were entertained by songs and poetry from Scoil Aireagail’s students.

Pictures by Harry Reid
The new facility was officially opened by Dr Pauline Egan, Director of Schools of KCETB. TAP HERE FOR MORE KILKENNY SCHOOLS NEWS

“We are delighted to open this wonderful new facility, which will greatly enhance the physical education opportunities available to our students,” said Principal of Scoil Aireagail Helen McTighe.

“The fitness suite represents an investment in the health and wellbeing of our young people, encouraging them to develop positive habits that will last a lifetime. We look forward to sharing out fitness suite with the wider community during our annual open evening which takes place on Thursday, September 18.”

The fitness suite will be used during timetabled physical education classes and by school sports teams, as well as providing opportunities for extra-curricular activities before school and at lunchtimes. Equipped with a range of modern machines and training equipment, it will enable students of all abilities to participate and benefit from fitness training.

The project was made possible through the support of Kilkenny GAA, KCETB and Scoil Aireagail Parent Association fundraising, and reflects Scoil Aireagail’s continued commitment to providing high-quality facilities for its growing student body.