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04 Mar 2026
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04 Mar 2026
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St. Patrick’s National School has been waiting on new school buildings for more than 18 years / FILE PHOTO
St Patrick's Primary School in Celbridge, Co Kildare is to close its school building temporarily following recent fire safety and building compliance reviews.
In a notice issued to parents and guardians on March 4, Board of Management Chairperson Breda Holmes confirmed the building will close with effect from Thursday, March 5, 2026.
The Board said the decision follows a series of external fire safety and compliance assessments which identified “a number of fire safety and building compliance matters which require urgent attention”.
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While no specific incident prompted the move, the Board described the closure as “both prudent and responsible” in order to pause occupation of the building and implement priority works to ensure full statutory compliance.
The closure will allow for the immediate implementation of priority fire safety measures, further verification of structural and building compliance matters, engagement with relevant statutory authorities to confirm a clear compliance pathway, and coordination of necessary remedial works.
The Board emphasised that the decision was taken proactively and in the interests of the safety, health and welfare of pupils and staff. It acknowledged the disruption the temporary closure will cause to families and said the safety of the school community remains the overriding consideration.
The school is currently working closely with the Department of Education, professional advisers and relevant statutory authorities to progress urgent remedial actions, determine a timeline for safe reoccupation and explore temporary accommodation solutions where feasible.
A meeting involving the Board of Management, school staff and parents has been facilitated by the Parents’ Association and is scheduled to take place tomorrow at 8pm.
Social Democrats TD for Kildare North Aidan Farrelly has called for clarity from the Board of Management and the Department of Education about what happens next.
"Right now the teachers parents are trying to digest the news that from next week, their school is closed," he said.
"That's simply unacceptable. What we tried to do here last week, all constituency TDs, was raise the issue that the the department found out about the issues in the school last year, but nothing has happened.
"We've asked the Minister for Education today, what contingency plans are in place for these children?
"Home schooling, it's not an option. We need to see a black and white course of action for these children, for the teachers and parents.
"And also a commitment that a new school for St Patricks will be delivered, essentially, as soon as possible.
"We need to see clarity from the board, we need to see clarity from the department, we need to see clarity from the Minister for Education, today."
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