Wexford Councillor suggests excellent idea for recently closed local school

A school in Wexford has been forced to close its doors…

A school in North Wexford, Ballyfad National School, will be closing their doors at the end of this academic year.

The decision came as somewhat of a shock to those within the community – and especially, past pupils of the school.

There are currently no students enrolled for the 2025/2026 academic year, while the primary school’s current Principal, Anne Ryan, is due to retire at the end of this academic year. It is therefore not feasible that the school remain open.

Some local Councillors have expressed their disappointment with the decision.

One local Councillor, Sinn Fein’s Craig Doyle, raised his own idea and suggested that the school should continue to be used, but in a different way.

“It’s sad news for many this week as the news breaks of Ballyfad national school closing due to lack of numbers/principal retiring. But as they say every cloud has a silver lining and the possibility of a massive silver lining is available here, with a school building already in place and going to be lying vacant, it’s a perfect opportunity for the Department of Education to add some extra and much needed special school spaces.”

“With only 6 spaces available for next year in the the new Gorey Hill special school it’s clear to see that although the numbers may not be there for a mainstream school it would be invaluable to parents of children with additional needs and indeed the children themselves. In an ideal location that could be used to service students from both sides of the border in the new Wicklow/Wexford constituency,” he said.

Gorey Cllr Craig Doyle has since shared his idea with relevant authorities, and specifically, the Minister for Education, Helen McEntee.

I have been in contact with the minister for education this morning and she has told me that she will make enquiries regarding my query to turn it into a special school. I will keep everyone updated,” he told Wexford Weekly.

Given that the school building remains in place, that Gorey is an ever expanding town, and children with Additional Needs struggle to find school places, there is no doubt that this is an excellent idea.

Advertise on Wexford Weekly