The Development
The need for a new school
The Department of Education has supported the approach of the trustees and board of management to relocate to a green field site and in 2021 approved the appointment of a design team who have drawn up plans for a new school at Dangan. The trustees of the Bish have reached an agreement with the University of Galway regarding the move to a greenfield site and these discussions have concluded successfully and are enabling us to move forward.
The Galway City Development Plan 2017 -2023 included an objective “for the development of a secondary school and a new access onto the N59 to serve the school, NUI Galway lands and related uses”.
The Benefits
The new school will provide:
School Community Benefits
Modern school design with specialist rooms for music, home economics, art, technology, graphics, science labs and a dedicated special education needs facility with sensory garden.
Canteen and kitchen facilities, linking to a general-purpose hall that opens into a multi-purpose hall suitable for indoor sporting and student events.
Increased circulation, socialisation, and sporting spaces with links to an outdoor amphitheatre, allowing all pupils to remain on site during the school day.
Access to University of Galway sporting facilities.
Environmental & Community Benefits
Direct off-road link to proposed Galway to Oughterard Greenway, with off-road access to the school by foot and bicycle and covered bicycle parking.
Sustainable, near carbon-zero building, with excellent insulation and air permeability, designed for the needs of modern education.
Environmentally friendly heating and ventilation system with state-of-the-art air-source heat pump, PV panels and heat recovery system.
Space to facilitate community events, meetings, and outreach activities in support of the local community in Dangan and surrounding areas.
A planning application will be submitted to Galway City Council in mid-April 2023 with construction of the new school planned to commence once the necessary consents have been secured.
