St Dympna’s & St Nicholas’ Special Schools

Ballina, Co. Mayo

Hamilton Young Architects provided both architectural and PSDP services on this new 2,500 sq.m. school building to accommodate two separate existing special schools for children with mild to severe learning difficulties on an infill site in Ballina. Both schools are independent, but they share certain facilities in a centrally located section of the building.  Facilities include 8 classrooms, 2 specialist classrooms, therapy rooms, and a multi-sensory room.

Both schools have independent entrances and are operated separately.  Both entrances have attractive curved canopies, under which cars and minibuses can drop off or pick up pupils.  The building itself is single storey, allowing access at one level throughout.  The two schools are located at either end, with the shared facilities located in the centre.  HYA worked closely with the staff and a consultant occupational therapist throughout the design and detailing stages of this project.

The building was a finalist in 2010 in the LAMA awards, in the Best Public Building category.