Old Leitrim primary school to be made residential dwelling 

Leitrim County Council has granted conditional planning permission for the transformation of the historic Kilcoosey National School in Dromahair into a residential building.

Standing at a quiet countryside crossroads, the two-classroom school building has been a silent witness to the area's changing fortunes. Closed since 1969, it once served the surrounding rural farming community, which gradually diminished due to sustained waves of emigration.

The planning application, submitted by Olivier Wouters and Talita Holzer, includes a full refurbishment of the now-derelict structure. The building will be adapted for residential use while preserving its architectural character and updating it for modern living.

The renovation also involves internal modifications and the construction of a single-storey extension to the rear, providing much-needed additional living space.

The existing septic tank on-site will be decommissioned and replaced with a contemporary wastewater treatment system, featuring tertiary treatment and an infiltration system.

All associated site works are included in the plans, which aim to breathe new life into the historic structure while respecting its heritage value.

Kilcoosey National School, a listed historic building, was erected in 1913 under the guidance of Fr. Peter Galligan. However, it did not open until April 1915 due to resistance from some parents who preferred to keep their children enrolled in the older primary school in the area.

Records show that in 1912, enrolment at the older Kilcoosey school stood at 58 pupils.
By 1915, the newly opened school was led by principal Patrick Gordon, with Miss Winifred McDermott as his assistant. In 1930, Paddy Downey succeeded Gordon as principal and served until 1941, when he left to take up the head position at Ballintogher National School.

The last teacher to pass through the school before it was amalgamated with Drumlease NS was Anne Devlin.

The newly granted planning permission comes with 15 conditions that must be satisfied before development can proceed.

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