Parents of students attending Dublin's Alexandra College in Milltown have expressed anger at proposals to sell school land to a housing developer.
The school's governing body has been in talks with a major developer over the potential sale of a large parcel of land which includes some sports grounds used by the students.
The 135-year-old school, attended by more than 600 students, is under Church of Ireland management. The chairman of the governing body, the Most Rev John Neill, the Archbishop of Dublin, confirmed last night that a development plan was being prepared but declined to comment further.
The archbishop sent a letter to parents this week in response to rumours over "negative aspects" of the school's development proposals. He said an information meeting would be held shortly for parents where details of the plans would be discussed.
However, a group of around 100 parents, who met to discuss the plans last night, demanded that they be consulted before any contracts are signed.
Teachers at the school have also expressed opposition to any plans to sell land to a housing developer, according to parents.
The school grounds currently include an all-weather hockey pitch, six tennis courts and cricket grounds.
"It would rip the sporting soul out of the school," said one parent. "This school is renowned for its sports, especially hockey. The first ever international hockey match took place here in the late 1890s, between England and Ireland. This can't go ahead."
Parents will also seek legal advice later today on what options may be available to them if plans to sell land are confirmed.
There have already been large-scale housing developments in Milltown. Park Developments secured planning permission in 1998 for some 400 apartments on the grounds of a former convent in the area.
