Local firm's employees give Glounthaune school a summer facelift

The outdoor area of Glounthaune National School has undergone a transformation, as almost 60 employees from Cork firm AbbVie spent more than 400 hours improving facilities at the school.

The work, which included transforming the school’s playground — bringing to life the Tír na nÓg theme — came as part of AbbVie’s 11th annual volunteering week.

The initiative is part of the company’s signature community volunteering programme, empowering company employees to personally improve the localities where they live and work.

A total of 58 AbbVie employees spent 406 hours at the school creating an outdoor classroom, as well as refreshing existing playground markings, painting a new four-square playground marking, revamping the basketball courts, and painting the 100m perimeter wall.

School principal Damien Irwin said pupils were “so impressed and delighted with the transformation”.

“We knew getting AbbVie in would be great, but it was far better than that,” said Mr Irwin.

“I have been teaching for 37 years and, for impact, positivity, and long-term benefit, it is one of the best weeks I ever saw in a school.”

One fifth-class boy said: “Wow, we have the best school in Ireland now.”