A new chapter for ve local schools

Primary school students at ve Kilkenny schools are to receive books as part of Enterprise Holdings Foundation

ROAD Forward Initiative e schools are Carrageen NS, Gaelscoil Osrai, St Patrick’s De La Salle. St Joh’s Senior School and Skeoughvostee NS.

Enterprise Holdings Foundation ROAD Forward Initia- tive in its ambition to drive childhood literacy in Irish schools sees more than3,500 students from 92 primary schools receive a copy of Frankie’s World by Aoife Dooley – a vibrant graphic novel from a neurodivergent perspective is is the second year of Enterprise Holdings Foundation ROAD Forward initiative in which the foundation aims to address the widening opportunity gaps across three key focus areas – early childhood development, health and wellness, and career and college preparation. In Ireland, the ROAD Forward focus has been on childhood literacy in schools. More than 3,500 students from 92 schools will receive their own copy of Frankie’s World by Aoife Dooley, a former student of St. Brigid’s Girls National School, Glasnevin in DublinTold with humour, heart and fun illustrations, Frankie’s World follows its protagonist as she navigates school, friendship, and her experience with autism. Elaina Ryan, CEO of Chil- dren’s Books Ireland said:

“We’re delighted to be entering our second year of partnership with Enterprise, following a hugely successful project in 2022. is is an amazing initiative, bene ting 3,500 students at a key point in their reading journeys, and Frankie’s World is the perfect title to capture their interest.” e scheme provides assistance to a range of heritage structures, including castles, churches, mills, bridges, shopfronts, and thatch structures, as well as to private houses. e HSF includes an award of €37,000 in funding to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Freshford to address dampness with the fabric of the front gable wall.

By providing grants of between €15,000 and €200,000, the HSF assists owners of heritage structures – including those on the local authorities’ Record of Protected Structures and those in Architectural Conservation Areas – to meet their obligations to care for their properties.