St Mark's, Newbridge opens redeveloped campus

NEWBRIDGE special school, St Mark’s, marked a major milestone last week with the official opening of its newly redeveloped campus.

The multi-year construction project has transformed the site on Station Road, Newbridge, providing modern, purpose-built facilities for students, who are children and young adults with mild general learning difficulties.

Initial works began in November 2023 and were completed in late May 2025, funded by the Department of Education and Youth (DEY) and procured and delivered by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).

The new facility has 14 classrooms, a general purpose hall, sensory room, home economics classroom, construction studies room and a dedicated daily living skills room. The external grounds now include two basketball courts and a new yard area.

The St Mark’s community came together with Minister Martin Heydon TD and representatives of the DEY, NDFA and Kare for the opening ceremony, which featured performances by the school choir and student drumming group.

Minster Heydon said: “I am proud to officially open the newly extended St Mark’s Special School which marks the beginning of the next chapter for the staff and students of this very unique school. The school is very close to my heart having served on its Board of Management for a number of years. I am excited for the opportunities this new building and its facilities will bring for its staff and pupils. I congratulate principal Ross Dignam, school management, staff and successive Boards of Management on their successful stewardship of this project to the fine building we have today.” 

St Mark’s Principal, Ross Dignam, said the new building represents both progress and continuity for the school community: “We are incredibly grateful to the Department of Education and Youth for funding this project and to the National Development Finance Agency for delivering it, and we are delighted with the result. Our new campus provides bright, spacious classrooms and specialist facilities that are making a real difference to our students every day.

“St Mark’s has always been defined by our inclusive, family-like atmosphere, and we are proud that this new space now reflects and supports that spirit. Our focus now is on continuing to nurture this environment so that our current and future students are supported to thrive.” 

Margaret O’Neill, CEO of Kare, said: “St Mark’s has been providing specialist education to our communities for over five decades, and this new building ensures that students now have facilities that match the quality of teaching and care already in place. As Patron, we are proud to see this investment in inclusive education and in the young people and families it serves.” 

Noeleen Burke, Chair of St Mark's Board of Management said: "On behalf of the Board of Management, it is a pleasure and privilege to be here today and see the results of the vision, commitment and dedication to building a new St Mark's school. St Mark's has enhanced students' abilities, encouraged their exploration of the world in a safe and secure environment and afforded them greater opportunities.