On Monday 24 October 2011 Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited the site of the new Monaghan Education Campus and described the project as ‘a brilliant concept and a great decision for the people of County Monaghan’. 

CEO presented a digital overview of the new development which he said was the first of its kind in Ireland and ideally placed to provide courses that would generate new industries and new economies.  The campus buildings are expected to be completed in December 2012. 

Mr Kenny was welcomed on his first official visit to Monaghan by VEC Chairman Cllr John O’Brien and was accompanied on his visit by local FG TDs Heather Humphries and Sean Conlon.  Also in attendance were Caomhghin Ó Caolain TD, Declan Kelly, Project Director, SISK; Brendan Ó Dufaigh, Príomhoide Choláiste Oiriall, Dr Fiona McGrath, Director of Monaghan Institute, Cllr Sean Conlon, Chairman of the Garage Theatre BOM as well as members of Co Monaghan VEC, Monaghan Town Council and Monaghan County Council.

Mr Kenny, a former member and chairman of Mayo VEC, said that the name of the new campus should be a brand of excellence so that students who pass through the facility could go anywhere in the world and say they had with them a brand of excellence from County Monaghan.  He noted that a Gaelscoil and Gaelcholáiste were included in the campus and felt that this was important for the restoration of the Irish language.  He welcomed the concept of the new theatre because in times of pressure it was communities and people of integrity, creativity and imagination who made a difference to the perception of our county. 

Wishing the project well, Mr Kenny said Co Monaghan VEC was setting a platform for others to follow.  While they might have some differences of opinion about some issues they were all united as far as the Monaghan Education Campus was concerned and looked forward to the project coming to fruition as a bright, shining, educational, institutional star in Monaghan. Mr Kenny congratulated all involved and wished SISK good luck in the construction of the campus and promised to revisit the site when the work had progressed.