Offaly School of Special Education chosen as Tullamore Show charity partner
Tullamore Show has chosen the Offaly School of Special Education (OSSE) as its charity partner for 2025.
Announcing the charity partnership, John Keena, Chairperson, Tullamore Show, said it was "a privilege" to give back to those who are most in need in the local community, and he added that the selection of the Offaly School of Special Education as the Show's charity partner for 2025 was "unanimous among the Executive."
Mr. Keena said the Show Executive is looking forward to having the Offaly school "front and centre" at the annual Tullamore Show on Sunday, August 10 next.
Offaly School of Special Education is a special school based in Tullamore serving 42 pupils with additional educational needs from across Offaly. They are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and enriching learning environment for their students.
However, they currently operate from a temporary premises that was once an old jail, and it presents significant challenges. The building lacks insulation and daylight, contributing to high utility bills that often exceed what the school grant can cover. Basic facilities and resources are limited, and the school frequently must travel to access extra-curricular activities that most schools can provide on-site.
Ed Graham, OSSE Principal, said the school is "honoured and extremely grateful" to have been chosen as the sole charity partner for the upcoming Tullamore Show.
“Being selected is not only a tremendous honour, but also a crucial opportunity to raise awareness and much-needed funds to support our students, staff, and families, which will help us improve learning conditions and provide the resources our pupils deserve" he said.
The school has expressed it "heartfelt thanks" to the organisers of the Tullamore Show for selecting our school, and to the wider Offaly community for always supporting and standing behind them. "Together, we are building a more inclusive and supportive school for our present and future pupils” said Ed Graham.
Early last month, plans were lodged with Offaly County Council for a state-of-the-art new OSSE school on a site just off Collins Lane in Tullamore.
The new two-storey school, which will replace the existing Offaly School of Special Education at Kicruttin, will incorporate 12 classrooms for pupils with special education needs and is to be built on a 2.3 acre greenfield site owned by the Department of Education at Norbury Woods Avenue. The site is located just off Collins Lane to the north of Tullamore town centre, and is adjacent to the existing Educate Together National School.