Education Minister Paul Givan has cut the first sod on a £10.8 million new build for Edendork Primary School in Dungannon, marking the official start of construction to replace ageing facilities at the County Tyrone site. Work began on 27 April 2026, with the school due for completion in September 2027.
The project represents a major infrastructure investment for Mid Ulster, delivering modern educational facilities on the Killymeal Road site formerly occupied by St Malachy’s Parochial Hall. It is among several major capital builds progressing across Northern Ireland following the Department of Education’s £80 million funding injection announced in 2024.
Modern Facilities Replacing Historic Site
The new single-storey primary school will provide 11 classrooms alongside a multi-purpose dining and sports hall, flexible teaching spaces, staff rooms, and resource areas. Hamilton Architects leads the Integrated Consultant Team, with Woodvale Construction Company Limited appointed as the building contractor.
The Killymeal Road site replaces accommodation dating back to 1912, with subsequent renovations in 1953 and 1972. The existing building currently comprises a main block with six classrooms and a multi-purpose hall, supplemented by six mobile classrooms. Principal Anne McAlinden has previously highlighted safety concerns regarding the current entrance on the busy Coalisland Road, where limited parking creates hazardous conditions for pupils and families.
Design plans indicate the new building will cluster classrooms around a centrally-located staff room to form a courtyard reflecting the rural setting, with the multi-purpose hall constructed in contrasting brick. The facility has been designed to accommodate out-of-hours community use, potentially serving as a hub for local activities beyond the school day.
Capital Programme: Progress and Setbacks Across Mid Ulster
Edendork is one of seven Major Works Projects currently active in the Mid Ulster area, though departmental documents reveal a mixed picture of progress across the constituency. While Edendork moves to the construction phase, other projects face extended timelines or budgetary holds. According to a deposited paper released in September 2025, Gaelscoil Uí Neill in Coalisland anticipates completion in June 2027, while Holy Trinity College in Cookstown is scheduled for July 2026.
However, Sperrin Integrated College and St Pius X College, both in Magherafelt, remain on hold due to budget constraints. St Patrick’s College Maghera and St Conor’s College in Coleraine are currently in design development with anticipated completion dates of December 2029 and January 2030 respectively, though these remain dependent on statutory approvals and funding availability.
The Department’s updated Governance Booklet for Major Capital Projects, published in January 2026, establishes strict protocols for project delivery, emphasising compliance with RIBA Plan of Work stages and Value for Money solutions aligned with Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy.
Minister Hails ‘Exciting Chapter’ for Edendork
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on 29 April 2026, Paul Givan emphasised the long-term community benefits of the investment:
“Today marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Edendork Primary School. When complete, the new school will help children here grow, thrive, and reach their full potential, delivering lasting benefits for pupils, staff and local families.
“Schools are at the heart of our communities, and it is vital that they provide inspiring environments for teaching and learning. This development will do exactly that, ensuring Edendork can deliver excellent education for generations to come.
“I commend the school and all those involved for their hard work in reaching this milestone and I wish them every success as the vision for the new school becomes a reality.”
Principal Anne McAlinden welcomed the construction commencement, stating:
“Today is a momentous occasion in the history at Edendork Primary. Our new school will be the result of years of hard work, planning and teamwork. I pay tribute to everyone involved. Our new school is an investment in the future of our pupils and the whole school community.”
Safety and Funding Questions Remain
As the project progresses toward its September 2027 completion date, several questions remain pertinent for stakeholders and observers:
- Given that the new site addresses longstanding road safety concerns at the current Coalisland Road entrance, what specific traffic management measures will be implemented to ensure safe access for the 320-pupil school community?
- With several Mid Ulster school projects currently on hold or delayed due to budget constraints, what guarantees exist that Edendork’s construction timeline will not face similar postponements, particularly given the Department’s reliance on case-by-case funding availability for tender releases?
- How will the Department and school trustees ensure the facility genuinely serves as an accessible community hub outside school hours, as envisioned in the original design brief?
- Will the completion of Edendork PS influence prioritisation rankings for other stalled projects in the constituency, particularly given the documented need for investment across the controlled and maintained sectors?
Construction will continue through 2026 and 2027, with the building programme now formally underway following years of planning, design development, and procurement processes.