New 1,000 pupil school in Wicklow goes out for tender
The Wicklow PeopleThe Department of Education has confirmed a long-awaited school building project at Blessington Community College is going out to tender.
The school in west Wicklow received planning permission in 2024 for a project which would remove the existing temporary accommodation on the site and replace it with a new three-storey, 1,000 pupil secondary school.
The facility is due to include a sports hall, special needs suite, toilet, general purpose hall, changing facilities, a social area and a library.
The works had already been pushed back from December 2024 to September 2025, and now that start date is expected in Q2 2026.
The project, which has been devolved to the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board was expanded in 2023 to cater for 1,000 students and six special education needs classrooms.
Campaigners have been insistent that the new school should accommodate 1,000 students in a completely new build, as the Department’s initial plans were to include modular classrooms for up to 800 pupils.
The proposal will also see the reconfiguration of the existing pedestrian and vehicular entrance to the site, including bicycle parking, car parking and set-down areas.
The project is being delivered under the Department's ADAPT Programme, which uses an external project manager to co-ordinate and drive the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
Reacting to the development Wicklow TD Edward Timmins said it was an important milestone for the school.
“The new school was first announced in 2018, and I have been working with the school community and the parents’ campaign team since 2022 to bring this project to this important stage. In Q2 of 2023, following detailed work on population figures, approval was granted for a new 1,000-pupil school.”
Deputy Timmins said the project has been a central priority for him since his election as a TD.
“Blessington Community College has always been to the fore - both in the Dáil and through my ongoing engagement with senior ministers - to highlight the urgent need for this new school for the growing community.”
Deputy Timmins also paid tribute to the school community for their patience in waiting for the project to reach this stage
“I would particularly like to thank Principal Kieran Burke, Deputy Principals Kevin Kelly and Ian Swan, the Parents’ Council, and my constituency colleague, Tánaiste Simon Harris, for their continued commitment and support in progressing this vital project,” he added.
The estimated start date for the works is now May 2026.