Pupils of Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh at Enniscorthy Creative Activity Garden

A season of concerts at the Creative Activity Garden at the HSE’s St. John’s Community Hospital complex in Enniscorthy concluded recently with a traditional Irish music and dance performance from pupils of Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh.

Featuring an amphitheatre styled area, the Creative Activity Garden is a multi-functional space for gatherings and health and wellbeing activities in the heart of the HSE healthcare campus in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

The performance was followed by a cheque presentation to Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh, towards supporting the school’s Sensory and Occupational Therapy Room. The donation results from a fundraiser organised by Clinical Nurse Manager 2 Trish Carty and colleagues in the HSE’s Wexford Residential and Intellectual Disability Service.

Speaking at the presentation Trish Carty said:

“We know how special and safe sensory rooms are for people and we are thankful of such support towards helping the Gaelscoil get theirs. The availability of such spaces can and does make a difference. We worked as a small committee to raise this donation and we look forward to visiting the Gaelscoil to see the Sensory Room.”

Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh primary school was founded in 1995 and moved to its new, purpose built facility at Drumgoold, Enniscorthy in 2013. Earlier this year, the school and its Parents' Association (Coiste na dTuistí) began running fundraisers – including local bucket collections and cake sales – raising thousands of Euros towards securing a Sensory Room.

Dr. Denise Rogers, a Senior Clinical Psychologist (Child Disability Services, HSE) based on the St. John’s campus and a parent of Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh children added:  

“It was so lovely to have the pupils here at the Creative Activity Garden to perform. They were all so excited to play and dance, and thrilled with the tea and buns! Memories are created and connections made, now and for the future and it is a beautiful thing. Thanks to the múinteoirí for their encouragement and nurturing!”

The attendance at the events in the Creative Activity Garden include residents and service users, staff, visitors and neighbours of the campus in Enniscorthy. Refreshments are provided by the catering team from St. John’s Community Hospital.

The Activity Garden project was supported as a placement incentive by Wexford County Council’s Culture and Creativity team and Age Friendly programme, in partnership with the HSE, Creative Ireland, the Irish Architectural Foundation and the Enniscorthy Men’s Shed. Opened in September of last year, the development was also made possible thanks to funding from the government’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme.