BY MICHELE CANNING SMITH

AN IRISH language primary school in Strabane has reached a milestone, marking ten years of existence this year.

In a decade Gaelscoil Ui Dhochartaigh, named after Strabane gaeilgeoir Gearoid O Dhochartaigh, which started in 1997 with just four pupils and one teacher has increased its roll book to 130 pupils.

Aisling Ui Dhúghaill was the teacher who ten years ago went to St Anne's Pastoral centre on the first day of term and began to teach four young children, primary one and two, through the medium of Irish.

"Things are so different here today than it was that very first day. The goal was that we would expand and it has. This year we have had an intake of 27 into primary one so we are on a level par with mainstream primary schools.

"I never had any doubts that the school would not progress because people who set the school up, the parents, were so dedicated and committed.

Maire Ni Dhochartaigh, the teaching principal, joined Aisling two years later as a teacher, with 29 pupils then at the school.

"I remember that it was very lonely as I had come from a Gaelscoil in Maghery but on the other hand I was lucky to have come with experience. It was tough not having a lot of resources and at that stage we were still at St Anne's. The classes were small but we had great parental support."

In June 2001 it was no mean feat that the school secured its own grounds at Ballycolman Estate,

"We wanted to be totally independent and not be known as the 'wee Irish school at the top of the hill' so in 2000 Gaelphobal had already begun planning the move.

In December of that year the school was finally recognised by the Department of Education. Self funded for the previous four years the status conferred on them meant that they were on an equal standing with other schools.

"We were finally looked on as a proper school and had the security of recognition and the assistance of the Western Education Board.

"On a day to day basis it meant we had money to employ classroom assistants and provide free school meals."

By 2001 the school had gained another teacher. The school consisted of a hall and three mobile classrooms.

As soon as the school moved to the site, it was obvious that expansion was required again and by october it had another two classrooms.

Within two years it had outgrown its capacity, and staff had no staffroom. Now in 2007 it has seven classrooms and is awaiting a double classroom and canteen to come on site shortly.

The focus is now on a new build school, and the Gaelscoil is hoping to go on the Department of Education's building scheme.

"We hope to be central to the revival of the Irish language in the Strabane area," adds Aisling.

Quips principal Maire, "Our other goal is that maybe our football or hurling teams will win a tournament!'

They would like to thank everyone for their support, including residents on the Ballycolman estate.