GAELSCOIL Mhic Easmainn opened its doors on Tuesday morning to welcome the ‘older’ generation as they celebrated ‘Grandparents Day’ in the school hall.
The day is an initiative being run by the school in which grandparents are invited in for the morning.
A religious ceremony, presided by Father Francis Nolan, is held in the school hall with the grandparents and other visitors seated to watch.
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TraleeToday.ie was at the event to talk to the Principal, Cáit Uí Chonchúir, about the day and about what she thought it meant for the people involved.
“Today is our celebration of ‘Grandparents Day’ and the love that we share together, the things we do together and the good example that all of our grandparents are to our grandchildren,” she said.
“This is our second year doing it as part of Catholic Schools Week. It’s a day that we like to remember our ‘grannies’ and ‘granddads’ for all they do for us and with us. It’s an occasion when grandparents like to visit the school and the kids really enjoy having them here too.”
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“We’re lucky that this week coincided with ‘St Brigid’s Day’ and the ‘Feast of St Blaise’. We blessed the St Brigid’s Crosses and we blessed everybody’s throats, so it was triple celebration in that sense,” added the Principal.
“The day went very well. The kids had been doing a lot of project work on their grandparents, who then spent a lot of time going around to look at their work. It was a lovely sociable event.”
As for the grandparents? Well, we asked them how the day went.
One grandparent who was delighted with the day was Denis Dennehy who was full of praise as he relaxed with a cup of tea.
“I think it’s lovely, I was here too last year. It gives us (grandparents) a chance to see where our grandchildren go to school and where they grow up and we can meet their teachers too. To come here for a religious service too is lovely,” said Denis.
“The best thing a grandparent, or a parent, can give a child is time. Due to the economic situation in the country, with both parents working, grandparents are essential in helping to look after the grandchildren,” added Denis.
Margaret Mahony too, explained what the day meant for her.
“It means a lot to us. It gives a role in the children’s lives. It’s nice, we’ve always looked after at least one grandchild at home, so we’re very close,” said Margaret.
Overall, there were hugs and smiles all around as people of all ages enjoyed a good morning out with friends for company, a good cup of tea and the chance for some to see their grandchildren in the school environment.
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