Jonathan Flynn with Ethan, Siobhan, Patrick and Daniel Flynn at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
FAMILIES gathered at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday morning for a very special occasion.
First Holy Communion season has arrived and 19 Holy Family sixth class pupils arrived, excited and eager to receive the sacrament.
Thankfully the weather stayed dry so the children could fully enjoy the day with their families. Scroll down for photos…
Eamonn Delaney with Kenneth O’Sullivan, Stephen Donovan, Lisa Delaney, Peter Donovan, Margaret Donovan, Mia Donovan and Jack Delaney at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ellie Mai O’Connor with Billy O’Connor and Mary Cahill at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanLena Tarasiuk with Mariusz, Kacper and Justyna Tarasiuk at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Jack Kelly with Luke, Caroline, Padraig and Aidan Kelly at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanTomisislav Fogadic and family at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Destiny Ogie with Lillian Izehi and Kingsley Ogie at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanEllie May Flahive with Darragh Flahive, Max Flahive and Leanne McCaughley at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Mikolaj Stroczek and family at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanLily Anna Sebestova with Joseph Sebest (holding Eli), Lorraine Sebestova, Sabhadh and Jack McMahon, Maureen and Dean O’Sullivan at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Eamonn Delaney with Elaine Lawlor, Ed Delaney and Jack Delaney at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanJames Sestini Beer with Ryan Dowling, Sarah Sestini, Daniel Beer (holding Isabella) and Rebecca Hawkins at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Sixth class pupils with Principal Maria O’Regan, Caitriona Chester (SNA), Fr Amos and teacher Ciara Kelly at the Holy Family First Holy Communion Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
.Listellick NS pupil Chloe O’Sullivan with parents Grainne and Timmy and brother Conor, grandparents Denis and Sheila O’Sullivan and Noreen Power, aunts Siobhan Power and Deirdre Power, Tiana O’Sullivan, Majella O’Sullivan, Denise Costello and her husband Joby, and cousin Rachel Costello, on Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE sun shone on Friday morning to deliver a brief reprieve from the terrible weather we’ve been enduring over the past month.
It arrived just in time to for the boys and girls from two Tralee schools. Families gathered at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Thursday morning as pupils from Listellick and Holy Family NS were Confirmed by Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne.
There was a lovely atmosphere in the church and beaming smiles all round as children posed for photos with their classmates and families after the ceremony before heading off for the celebrations. Scroll down for photos…
Holy Family NS pupils with Bishop Ray Browne, Fr Padraig Walsh, teacher Tommy Lyons and Principal Ed O’Brien on Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Listellick NS pupils on their Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanListellick NS pupil Johanna McMahon, with Pat O’Mahony, Geraldine McMahon and Emma Lawlor, on her Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Holy Family NS pupil Rowhan Healy with Laura Magrana, Nuala Carey, Sonia Carey, Matthew Healy and Caitriona Locke on Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanListellick NS pupil Kayleigh Enright, with Timmy, Valerie and Sheila Enright, on her Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Listellick NS pupil Ciara Laide with parents Pa and Louise, brother Barry, aunt Mary McQuinn, grandparents Michael and Deirdre Laide and Pat Joe and Mary McQuinn and uncle Paudie McQuinn on Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanHoly Family NS pupil Ethan Ballard, with Yvonne Cronin, David Brick, Sophie Brick, Kalum Ballard, Ronan Ballard and Ronan Brick on Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Holy Family NS pupil Vivian Fabian with Cynthia Fabian, Nicole Fabian and Ashley Fabien on Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanListellick NS pupil Victoria Gombarczyk with Marzena Gombarczyk, Marta Chelminiak and Marcin Gombarczyk on Confirmation Day at Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
.Decked in red for Glow Hearts 4 Crumlin were Holy Family kids, Gaby Zalewska, Jody Kennedy, Lauren Hurley and Rocco McMahon. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
RED was the colour in Holy Family on Wednesday with the school showing their support for The Glowhearts4Crumlin ‘Wear Red’ campaign taking place this week, which raises funds for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.
The campaign was started by Kerry mothers who each have a child born with a heart defect.
The ‘Glow Hearts 4 Crumlin’ group consists of three mums from Tralee – Sinead O’Connor, Sonya Doyle and Jenny Pye – and Sharon Brosnan from Abbeydorney, Gillian O’Donoghue from Killarney and Sinead Malone Walker from Rathmore.
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The fundraiser encourages schools and businesses to wear red for the day and make a small cash contribution. CBS and Ardfert National Schools also took part in the initiative.
Last year they generated a fantastic €18,000 which was divided evenly between Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin and the Ronald McDonald House.
Money raised by the group will be going towards a new day ward that is being built at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital.
If you want to find out more information or get in contact with Glow Hearts 4 Crumlin you can do so on their Facebook page HERE
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.Holy Family pupils wear red for the day for ‘Glow Hearts 4 Crumlin’. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Wear Red’ day in Holy Family National School were Glow Hearts 4 Crumlin Moms, Sharon Brosnan and Sinead Malone Walker with, from left: Dylan, Shauna, Lily and Ryan Brosnan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL took part in Maths Week which runs from to October 10 to 18.
Marking its first decade, Maths Week is the largest festival of maths in the world with over one million people attending events over the first 10 years.
The week hopes to promote, awareness, appreciation and understanding of maths through a huge variety of events and activities.
One of those activities was a puzzle game played by Holy Family pupils called Izak9 which creates a 3D maths based active learning experience for children.
An OECD report ranked Ireland 19th out of 24 countries on numeracy skills in 16-24 year olds. Research has shown that increased investment and support in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology English and Maths) is required to maintain and raise the standard of the teaching and learning of maths in Irish Schools.
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.Holy Family pupils taking part in Maths Week were from left: Dean Farrell, Conor Commane, Norella Quirke and Natalie Hennessy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Holy Family pupils taking part in Maths Week were from left: Robert Vasiu, Casper Tusinski and Ronan Ballard. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Holy Family pupils taking part in Maths Week were from left: Trina Moriarty Flynn, Aaron Day, Cian Cooney and Alisa Stoianova. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Principal Ed O’Brien with teachers and pupils who took part in Holy Family Maths Week. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
.The oldest and the youngest pupils in Listellick National School, Jack O’Hare and Evie O’Donoghue receive the tricolour from Sgt Chris Hoare. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
HOLY Family National School and Listellick NS both received tricolours from the army to mark the 100th year commemoration of the 1916 rising next year.
Sergeant Chris Hoare and Gunner James Power of the Irish Army, delivered tricolurs and a copy of the proclamation of independence to pupils from both school.
Over the next number of months, members of the Defence Forces will distribute a handmade Tricolour and a copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic to more than 3,000 national schools across Ireland.
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While at the schools Sgt Hoare, spoke to the children about the history and importance of our national flag.
The work the defence forces is close to home as a father of a pupil in Holy Family is currently on active duty. Davy J Flaherty’s dad, David is at the moment serving in Lebanon with the Irish Army. Davy J stood for a photo with Sgt Hoare and Gnr Power on request of the two army men who are friends with his dad.
During their visits both schools got a chance to quiz Sgt Hoare about the 1916 centenary and the army.
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.Holy Family pupil, Davy J Flaherty, who’s dad, David, is currently on active duty with the army in Lebanon with Gunner James Power and Sgt Chris Hoare. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Sgt Chris Hoare, speaks to school children in Listellick. Photo by Gavin O’Connor..Sgt Chris Hoare answers a question from a pupil in Holy Family.Holy Family school children, Maria and Anna Draghici, with Gnr James Power and Sgt Chris Hoare. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Listellick Principal Annette Dineen, welcomes Sgt Chris Hoare and Gnr James Power to the school. Annette Dineen.The oldest and the youngest pupils in Holy Family National School, Conor Commane and Lauren Hurley receive the tricolour from Sgt Chris Hoare, with Gnr James Power and Principal Ed O’Brien. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Eager kids in Listellick ready to answer Sgt Hoare’s question. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Holy Family Principal, Ed O’Brien, leads Sgt Chris Hoare and Gnr James Power into the school. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Junior pupils in Listellick. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Junior pupils in Listellick. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Junior pupils in Listellick. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Junior pupils in Listellick. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Junior pupils in Listellick. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Young pupils in Listellick. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
A PRELIMINARY round of the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Table Quiz for national school children was held in Holy Family National School on Tuesday.
The round was for schools located in the Tralee and St Brendan’s Board area with eight teams from, Holy Family, CBS Clounalour and Spa National Schools competing.
All the questions in the quiz are based on Irish history, geography, GAA and things of general interest around Ireland such as traditions and ancient folklore.
In the end three teams, from Holy Family, Ardfert NS and Spa NS progressed to the county final which is to be held on Monday, May 25 in the Meadowlands Hotel.
The Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Table Quiz has been going since the 125th anniversary of the GAA in 2009.
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At the preliminary round of the Allianz Cumann a mBunscol table quiz in Holy Family National School, were from left: Matthew Browne, Gavin Burrows, Dean Farrell, Dylan Hurley and Adam Curran. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the preliminary round of the Allianz Cumann a mBunscol table quiz in Holy Family National School, were from Spa National School, from left: Richard O’Gara, Katie Dwyer, Joe Lenihan, Eoin Walsh, Aodan Behan, Brian Hamilton. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the preliminary round of the Allianz Cumann a mBunscol table quiz in Holy Family National School, were from left: Michael Forest, John Goubran, Tale Anegbod and Henriett Adedeaji. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the preliminary round of the Allianz Cumann a mBunscol table quiz in Holy Family National School, were from left: Sam McCarthy, Ben Quilter, Cormac Lynch and Niall Fitzmaurice. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the preliminary round of the Allianz Cumann a mBunscol table quiz in Holy Family National School, were from left: Sinead Forest, Mimi King, Cormac O’Riordan and Dara Hannon. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Councillor Terry O’Brien and Mayor of Tralee Jim Finucane with Miss O’Sullivans Holy Family National School sixth class, front from left: Terry O’Brien, Yuxi Mzhang, Niall Fitzmaurice, Matthew Brown and Eoin McDonald. Back: James O’Halloran, Brandon Ndebele, Liam McGee, Jim Finucane, Johnathan Kerry, Vincent Mulligan, Robert Kerins, Usman Butt and Michelle O’Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
SIXTH class Holy Family National School students are keeping in touch with the past while also trying to turn a profit.
As part of a Junior Young Entrepreneur initiative, Miss O’Sullivan sixth class students have produced an events calendar – showing what’s coming up in the Kingdom – which shows of photos of Tralee’s past and present.
“It’s not just a calendar, it’s an historical look at Tralee through photos,” said Michelle O’Sullivan.
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“The children researched the old photos of Tralee by themselves online. When they decided on which ones they wanted, they went around the town and – from the exact same spot – the took a photo of what it looks like today,” said Miss O’Sullivan.
It was the first year that Holy Family National class took part in the initiative. Principal Ed O’Brien was very happy with the results.
“The greatest benefit I see from it is that it gives a practical application to the skills the children are learning,” said Mr O’Brien.
“In school, pupils learn a lot of theory, but they don’t ever really put it into practice in school. You’d often hear from a pupil ‘what am I going to use this for?’ so this is a great opportunity to show things works in every day life and in the business world,” said Ed O’Brien.
The calender is available from Holy Family National School and costs €5.
Mayor of Tralee Jim Finucane with sixth class Holy Family School pupils, from left: Whitney Osayanihiy, Shannon Enright, Sophie Hennessey, Emily Rose Fitzgearld, Lucas Vada, Jim Finucane, Cormac Lynch, Jordan Kissane, Chalum T Fitzgerald, Tony Monaghan and Paul Browne. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Taking part in the Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn table quiz as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge were, from left: Martin Vladev, Ciaran Collins, Robert Vasiu and Cormac Lynch. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
AS part of Seachtain na Gaeilge, Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn invited other schools in the Tralee area to take part in a table quiz followed by a céili as part of their Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations.
The table quiz questions were asked as Gaeilge, though that hasn’t bothered the other schools in the past as they have come to Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn and won.
This year though, the Gaelscoil team of Tomas O hAinniféin, Daithí O’Regan and Peadar and Joseph Claro were the victorious.
“It’s a yearly event which we enjoy and celebrate,” said Liam Ó Conchubhair, teacher in Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn.
“The other schools find it as an enjoyable challenge to and try and figure out can they do the quiz. It’s great for other schools to come to us and see Irish used as everyday working language. It takes them a while to get into it, but before the day is out they get to use the words that maybe don’t come naturally in the day to day running of their own schools,” said Liam.
“The day also helps other schools it helps them celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge and they look forward to it each year,” said Liam.
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Taking part in the Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn table quiz as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge were, from left: Cian O’Shea, Fiachra O’Connor, Brahim Renai and John O’Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Taking part in the Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn table quiz as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge were, from left: Morgan O’Connell, Eoin Buckley, Cian Trant and Matthew Hussey. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Taking part in the Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn table quiz as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge were, from left: Tomas O hAinnifein, Dathi O’Regan, Padar Claro and Joeseph Claro . Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Taking part in the Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn table quiz as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge were, from left: Billy Daly, Rory Dalton, Christopher Egan and Sarah Lawlor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Clara Faggetter of CBS Clounalour, who will be a mascot to the Kerry team on Sunday and gets two tickets to the All-Ireland final in a Supervalu competition. Here she is with her mom.
PRIMARY Schools all over the town were decked out in green and gold on Friday with schools taking part in their ‘Jersey Day’ in anticipation of Kerry’s All-Ireland appearance this Sunday.
Kerry being in the final was made a bit more special this year for Holy Family National School who have the honour of producing four past pupils who will be involved on All-Ireland final day.
The school will have three alumni togging out for the seniors, Kieran Donaghy, Barry John Walsh and David Moran while for the minors Cormac Coffey will run out on the hallowed turf of Croke Park.
“We’re extremely proud of them,” said Holy Family principal, Ed O’Brien.
“Since the first 6th class pupils left the school in 1980 we’ve had 11 players who have played for Kerry at senior level,” said Ed.
“It’s a great achievement for the school and we want to wish them all the best for Sunday,” said Ed.
Caherleaheen National School was also bedecked in the county colours. Their jersey day coincided with their annual charity Coffee Morning they run for the Tralee branch of the Kerry Hospice foundation.
One of the teachers is a Donegal native Geraldine McGarrigle.
“There has been great excitement. Geraldine is outnumbered, but we’re feeling quietly confident, so hopefully Kerry will win,” said Brid Murphy, teacher at Caherleaheen National School.
The mood was similar in Listellick National School, where the rain teemed down outside, but did nothing to dampen spirits inside the classrooms.
“We’ve made Sam Maguires, adapted a few songs and all the classrooms are covered in green and gold, the children are very excited and getting behind the Kerry team” said 4th class teacher at Listellick National School, Susan Wren.
Over in CBS Clounalour, the excitement was at fever pitch and the school turned out in green and gold for the day.
It was extra special for third class pupil, Clara Faggetter.
Her mom entered her in a competition in Super Valu to be the mascot for the Kerry team on Sunday, and she won.
“Everybody is so excited for her,” said Michelle Culloty of CBS Clounalour. “Her mom entered her because she is a fantastic sister to her little brother, who is ill and she takes great care of him.”
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Pupils from Holy Family National School show off the green and gold for their ‘Jersey Day’ on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Pupils from Caherleaheen National School show off the green and gold for their ‘Jersey Day’ on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Pupils from Listellick National School show off the green and gold for their ‘Jersey Day’ on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Pupils from Ms O’Connell’s Fifth Class in CBS Clounalour.Pupils from Mr O’Connor’s 4th Class in CBS Clounalour all decked out for the match.Brothers Calvin (Junior Infants) and Cody O’Sullivan (First Class) in CBS Clounalour.6th Class CBS boys with their Infant siblings. From left: Elliott and Milly Lynch, Amy and Greg Scanlon, and Seán and Cian Collins.Ms Butler’s Second Class in CBS Clounalour on jersey day.Mr Costello’s 6th Class in CBS Clounalour cheering on the Kery teams for Sunday.
PUPILS at Holy Family National School got to soak their teachers on Tuesday when staff took the Ice Bucket Challenge – and now the gauntlet had been thrown down to three more schools!
One lucky child from each senior class got the opportunity to dump a bucket of icy water over a teacher’s head at the end of the school day.
“As you can imagine there were plenty of volunteers,” said school principal Ed O’Brien.
“The whole thing came about because a number of the teachers had been nominated separately so we decided to do them all together,” Ed explained.
Children were encouraged to donate 50 cent each and all the teachers donated €5 for the ice bucket challenge in aid of Motor Neuron disease.
“We’re delighted to do it, Motor Neuron disease is particularly distressing so we’re happy to do our little bit and help the cause,” said Ed.
Instead of nominating individual people, the Holy Family participants decided to nominate three other schools in the Tralee area; Spa National School, Caherleaheen National School and CBS Primary School.
“Hopefully they’ll all join in because it’s a great cause” said Ed.
