The Mercy Mounthawk First Year team which won the All-Ireland title in Dublin on Tuesday.
TRALEE has a new All-Ireland winning team after Mercy Mounthawk won a final yesterday in Dublin.
The first year team clinched the All-Ireland Schools First Year B Final title at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, beating Presentation Kilkenny 40-14.
“It was a massive achievement,” said Head Coach, Tomás O’Hanlon, when we spoke to him this morning.
“The seniors won the B All-Ireland earlier this year so it’s a huge boost to basketball in the school. We played St Genevieve’s of Belfast in the semi-final at 11.30am yesterday and won 46-21. We had lost in the cup to them a month ago so that was a good victory. Then we played Pres Kilkenny in the final at 1.30pm. It was 11-11 at half-time but we outscored them 29-3 in the second half. Out defence was very strong,” said Tomás.
The girls – who are coached by Tomás, with assistant coach Jimmy Diggin and team manager Amanda Brosnan – got a great welcome home from students and staff of the school this morning.
The school will now be playing A division next year thanks to their victories. It was a good weekend overall for Kerry teams as Presentation Castleisland and Presentation Tralee contested the A final on Sunday, showing how strong the sport is in our schools.
The Castleisland girls came out on top, beating the Tralee girls 40-12.
.At ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Damien Martin, Jim Breen and Inspector Noel Mostyn. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
AROUND 700 hundred cyclists made Mercy Mounthawk their destination on Sunday as the secondary school hosted the Cycle Against Suicide participants.
This is the third year of Cycle Against Suicide, which is an event that intends raise awareness of the mental health issues in each town it travels through with the message “it’s ok not to feel ok and it’s absolutely ok to ask for help”
The riders took off from Limerick city on Sunday at 8:30am and arrived at their destination, 100 kilometres later just after 6pm.
The route took the cyclists on the coast road by Glin in Co Limerick, going through Tarbert and Listowel, finishing in Tralee.
There is a mammoth effort gone in behind the scenes during the cycle, with anything up to 100 volunteers pitching in making sure it all runs smoothly.
It is the brainchild of Jim Breen, who at every finish gives a rousing motivational speech on the problem of depression.
“We’ve done a lot of work here in Tralee with the school. It’s emotional when you come in to your home town and get a greeting from the street,” said Jim Breen.
“It was a great day with fantastic atmosphere and welcomes everywhere we went,” said Jim Breen.
“People are beginning to feel they’ve achieved something today. People want to hear the message we’re spreading, as you can see by the amount of people who took part and by the amount who were waiting for us to arrive,” said Jim Breen.
Limerick to Tralee, represented the half way point of the cycle. It all began on Monday April 27 in Belfast and will finish on Sunday May 10 at RTE studies in Dublin.
Scroll down for video and photos…
At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Evan Doody, Amy Maher, Unity Ankomah and Joe Hoare. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Eleanor O’Grady, Cathal Sheehan, Conor O’Brien, Niall Buckley and Graham Nelligan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left, front, Sam O’Callaghan, Ellen O’Connell and Shelly McKenna. Back: Adele Hennessey, Olamidee Adebay and Tara O’Halloran. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Emma McCarthy, Mark O’Connor and Marcus O’Brien. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Laura Harty, Katie Crowe, Sarah Ferguson, Dorcas Oyewand. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Jim Cadogan, Timothy Grimes, Danny Sheehy, Luke O’Carroll and Dara O’Keeffe. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Nick Mizehi, Juliet Trafney, Osaz Odiahi, Junior Bio, Cara Quinlivan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Excitement builds with the riders only minutes away. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Derek Feeley, John Laide and Eoin Mullins. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Louise Geoghegan, Ger Mannion and Caroline Costello. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Sadhbh Brosnan, Ronan Redican, Shane Kissane, Tom Kissane and in front, Eamon Kissane. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Christy Bannon, Caroline Keane, Brendan Keane and in front, John Keane. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Claire Feehan, Paul Sheehan, Mick Duffy, John Sheehan and Aine Sheehan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Tom Healy, Joseph McDade and Killian O’Riordan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Sean O’Donoghue, Niall O’Mahony and Tomas O’Connor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Aisling, Brendan, Killian and Aoife Barrow. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Martin Hayes, Vera Murphy, Michelle Darcy, Michael Murphy and Kevin Cooper. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Dave Kenyon, Jack Walsh, Brian Mulvanny and John Walsh. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ event in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Darren Norton, John Kennedy and Dessie Callan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Damien McLoughlin of Kerry Colleges Athletics Board presented the Best Girls Shield to Fiona Kavanagh, Captain of Mercy Mounthawk Girls Team and the Best Boys Shield to Adam Barrett, Athletics Captain of Tralee CBS.
TRALEE school students took home a huge share of wins at an athletics meeting this week.
The annual Kerry Colleges Track and Field Championships at An Riocht Athletic Track, Castleisland were held last Tuesday April 28, when over 400 athletes braved the less than desirable conditions to take part in the event.
Mercy Mounthawk, CBS The Green and Presentation Tralee were amongst the big winners on the day as their students stormed home to victory in a number of categories.
• Basi Oyebanji of Mercy Mounthawk won Minor Boys in the 100m and 300m and finished second in the Long Jump and third in Shot Putt.
• Sean Quilter of Tralee CBS won the Minor Boys Long Jump, finished second in the Shot Putt and 100m, and was on the winning CBS Minor Relay team.
• Darragh Lowth of Tralee CBS completed a double in the Minor Boys 300m and High Jump while his older brother Shane also recorded a double in the Senior Boys 100m and 400m.
• Finally, in Minor Girls, Mary O’Connell of Presentation Tralee was impressive in winning the 100m and Long Jump, and finished third in the 800m.
Congratulations to all those who took part on the day and we wish you luck in future events also!
Labour TD for North Kerry, Arthur Spring and Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan speak with children in Blennerville National School. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
MINISTER for Education, Jan O’Sullivan was in Tralee on Thursday and visited three schools with current and future construction projects on stream.
Accompanied by Kerry North/West Limerick Labour Deputy Arthur Spring, Minister O’Sullivan began her visit at Blennerville National School, where the new school building is progressing on time to meet the proposed opening for January 2016.
While there, she chatted with junior infants school children in prefabs at the back of the school. The Minister also met with the school board of management before moving on to see the building work currently being done on the new school.
Next stop was, Mercy Mounthawk, before moving onto Listellick National School.
Work is coming along nicely in Mercy Mounthawk on a €1.7 million project which will improve and develop facilities in the school.
Listellick has only recently obtained planing permission for a new school. The minister met with the board of management and staff who have worked continuously to progress the project.
The Minister concluded her visit with a meeting with The President of the Institute of Technology Tralee Oliver Murphy, to discuss future development plans for the campus and for a progress report on the Munster Technological University bid.
Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan, meets the Blennerville School Board of Management, from left: Anne Walsh, Louise Brassil (Deputy Principal), Mary Wallace, Arthur Spring (TD), Minister Jan O’Sullivan, Graham Spring (Cllr), Terry O’Sullivan (Principal), Fred Garvey, Brendan O’Donoghue, Maura O’Donnell and Gerry Dwyer. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan, with Blennerville National School students, Millie and Mark O’Brien. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan, speaking with principal of Blennerville National School, Terry O’Sullivan and Site Manager of the new Blennerville National School, John Long. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Mercy Mounthawk teachers and students are ready to welcome the ‘Cycle Against Suicide’ participants to the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
A LOCAL school will this weekend play host to over one thousand cyclists as they roll into town as part of mental health campaign, ‘Cycle Against Suicide’.
They hope to promote the message that ‘It’s okay to not be okay and that you can ask for help.’
Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School is urging members of the public to come down to the school on Sunday, May 3 at 5pm to welcome into town the weary cyclists on their journey around the country.
The school will be welcoming them in that evening and will also be there to see them off again the next morning at 8.30am when once again, it is urged that as many people as possible come down to see them off.
There will be a sea of orange awaiting them on both occasions to greet them on the evening, where there will be very interesting talks, special guests, excellent entertainment and delicious refreshments also on hand.
The school has been working very hard over the last while in preparation for the cycle and most importantly, promoting the message of the cycle to the whole school population through a wide range of lead up activities.
The main objective of the Cycle is to raise awareness of the considerable help and supports that are available for anyone battling depression, self harm, at risk of suicide or those bereaved by suicide. It will continue until May 10.
All information on the cycle can be found on its website here.
Taking part in the charity wheelchair basketball match in Mercy Mounthawk, were, front from left: Ciaran Hattar, Dept Principal Pat Fleming, Dara O’Keeffe, Dara Devine, Mark Maloney, Liam Culloty. Back: Eoin McElligott, Giles Appleby, Donagh O’Brien, David Williams., Evan Doody, Ronan Fitzgerald and Robbie Dinan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
MERCY Mounthawk transition year students faced off against teachers in a match with a difference.
On Wednesday, competitors strapped themselves into wheelchairs for a charity basketball match with all proceeds going to the Kerry Hospice Foundation and the Irish Wheelchair Association.
The initiative was the brainchild of Mercy Mounthawk PE teacher, Olivia Dineen, who organised the first wheelchair basketball match for last year’s transition year class.
Continued below…
This time around, she decided to take it one step further by organising a match between staff and students to help further awareness of what it’s like to spend time in a wheelchair.
“It looks easy, but as soon as you get going it gets extremely difficult,” said Deputy Principal Pat Fleming.
“The upper body strength is a huge requirement, it’s very tiring. You got to have great admiration for anyone that needs a wheelchair on a daily basis to get around,” he said.
Bringing them up to speed with the skills of the game and the basics of maneuvering in a wheelchair was, Paralympian and Irish Wheelchair Sport development officer, Paul Ryan.
“The kids see this as something cool and something fun, which is what games are meant to be,” said Paul Ryan.
“This is about changing the perceptions of what people with disabilities can do. If we expect them to do great things they probably will. It’s great that the school are interested in getting this type of activity going. We run this all over Munster and it’s all just very positive,” he said.
At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: David Malone, Jason McCarthy and Stephen Fealy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
IT was a couple of nights for St John of God services in Tralee as they performed ‘I Have A Dream’ musical in Siamsa Tire on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Volunteers and clients at St John of God had been working hard together over the past few weeks to try and get everything ready for the performances.
The cast, all of whom have disabilities, had been graciously helped out in their work by a number of transition year students from Mercy Mounthawk who had no qualms in giving up their free time to volunteer their services.
The ‘I Have A Dream’ show was about two girls, Sophie and Sky, and is set to the soundtrack of Abba classics.
Audiences enjoyed stunning dance sequences, witty one-liners and vivacious vocals that had them on their feet.
Scroll down for photo…
At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Mary White, Trish Daughton, Jade Daughton and Mike O’Keeffe. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Teresa O’Brien, Joe Burkett, Bronagh Enright, Sharon O’Sullivan, Niamh O’Connor and Dan O’Connor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Kyle Flahive and Charlotte Vael. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Teresa McGuigan, Antoinette O’Sullivan, Helen Roche and Mary Nelligan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Timothy O’Shea, Micheal Hussey, Orla Murphy and Alan Dunlea. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Natalie O’Sullivan, Jason Dunlea and Breda O’Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Micheal O’Leary, Margaret Enright, James Begley and Jimmy Moore. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the St John of Gods ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Jody Downes, Jeremiah Roche, Phil McSweeney and Marian Roche. Front: Joe Roche. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Dolores Parker, Mary King and Cora O’Connor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the St John of God ‘I Have A Dream’ musical on in Siamsa Tire were, from left: Mark, Phillip and Anne Corkery. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
MOUNTHAWK second years boys basketball team were victorious in the Southwest Regional Finals last week as they put their perfect winning record this season on the line against St Pat’s of Castleisland.
The tournament was held in the Castleisland Community Centre with Mounthawk having qualified for the final by beating Rathmore, CBS Tralee and St. Brendan’s Killarney in the league section.
The last meeting between the two teams at the same stage last year ended in a heavy victory for St Pats. St Pats would then go on that year to eventually win the All-Ireland so Mounthawk faced a tough challenge this time around.
Mounthawk opened the game with a good defence leading to great steals from Raul Ventzel and Kevin O’Connor.
In the second quarter Mounthawk continued to dominate the game and kept a tight grasp on the play going into the second half with a lead of 16-9 in favour of the Tralee underdogs.
The turning point of the game came in the third quarter when Castleisland came with full court pressure and after a rough start, the trio of Dominic Craig, David McCarthy and Philip Corkery were cool and collected and handled the press well leading to easy baskets outscoring St Pats by 8 in the quarter.
Heading into the fourth quarter up 15 points, the game was slowly slipping away from Castleisland but Mounthawk kept up their intensity prevailing with a 43-27 win.
The 2nd year boys now qualify for the All Ireland playoffs on April 26.
Tarbert Comprehensive student, Timmy Flaherty at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
YESTERDAY we told you about the winners of Kerry Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Student Enterprise awards held at the ITT on Friday (click here for previous story and photos).
In total there was over 50 stands from schools all over the county with projects ranging from cookbooks to mobile accessories, entries embracing ever-changing technology and ones with a nod to Kerry’s rich heritage and past.
“The students are really inspirational, they’ve put in a huge amount of work. We’ve lots of innovative ideas here and many really viable businesses coming out of it,” said one of the judges, Caroline McEnery.
One of the organisers involved, Margaret Murphy of Kerry LEO, was impressed with what she saw this year.
“The students have put an awful lot of work in since last September. They enjoy it, there’s a great buzz around the place,” said Margaret Murphy.
Scroll down for photos from the event…
Presentation Tralee Secondary School students Lucy McGrath, Laura O’Connell, Susie Rice, Sinead Kearney at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Presentation Tralee Secondary School students Doireann Morgan and Katie Ahern at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from St Joseph’s Ballybunion, Karis Kunwor, Mia Fitzpatrick, Claudia Healy and Ellie Leen at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from St Joseph’s Ballybunion were, from left: Gerard Nagle, Jason Reidy and Stephen O’Carroll at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorCastleisland Community College student Gary Horan at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from St Brigid’s Killarney were, from left: Sadhbh Clifford and Rebecca Bruton at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorPresentation Secondary School students Sarah Gavaghan and Isabel O’Donoghue at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorScoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra students John O’Leary and Dara Looney at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine Kenmare, Molly Knightly and Emma Keane at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Presentation Listowel Aoife Hennessy, Ciara O’Brien, Aisling Chute and Evelyn O’Flynn at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorMercy Mounthawk student Brian Doherty at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Killarney Community College, Abigail Graham, Grainne Dineen and Sarah Finnan at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorPobalscoil Inbhear Sceine Kenmare students Maria Randles and Helena O’Sullivan at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorSt Joseph’s Ballybunion students Sarah Gleasure, Molly Murphy and Rachel Hanrahan at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Causeway Comprehensive were, from left: Jordan Walsh, Eoin O’Sullivan, Ryan Lawlor and Matt Tyrkiel at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorListowel Community College students Micheal Falvey and Tara Downey at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorIntermediate School Killorglin students Naoise Purcell and Simone O’Shea at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Tarbert Comprehensive, Aine O’Neill, Caolainn Healy, Niamh O’Connell and Aoife McDonagh at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Killarney Community College Jordan Touhy, Louise Flanagan and Leanne Herlihy at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Intermediate School Killorglin, Neil O’Brien, Jack Cox, Daniel Whittleton and Callum Teahan at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from St Brigid’s Killarney, Orla Finn, Fiona Murray, Aisling O’Connor and Aoife Fleming at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí were, from left : Riona Bhreathnach, Sinead Ní Loinsigh, Ruby Verling and Caitlin Ní Chonchubhair at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Intermediate School Killorglin, Rachel Montgomery and Adam Ladner at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Conor Stack, Lauren McGillycuddy, Joey Cronin and Sara Michnova at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorStudents from St Brigid’s Killarney, Keely O’Connor, Kayleigh McCarthy, Ada Fleming and Rowan Collier at the Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT on Friday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
200 Mercy Mounthawk girl students take part in ‘Black Wednesday’. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
MERCY Mounthawk demonstrated their illustrious history in the area of campaigning and charity on Wednesday.
The ‘Mercy Mounthawk Justice and Peace Group’ kicked off their latest campaign to raise awareness about those in the world who are denied an education.
The ‘Justice and Peace Group’ is one that aims to raise awareness among the school’s pupils and the wider community about injustices and conflicts in the wider world.
They hope that by raising awareness to matters such as these that they can hopefully make an impact and help give a voice to those in the world who don’t have one, and to change peoples attitudes and opinions for the better.
As part of their ‘Malala Youfaszai Week’, who, of course received the Nobel Peace Prize last age year aged 17, the group are organising a series of events throughout the week to highlight this.
The centre point of the week fell on what is being dubbed ‘Black Wednesday’, where over 200 of the schools female students gathered in the forum dressed in black. The idea behind this is that it is mainly female students who are denied an education around the world and this is the message that they were trying to highlight
The ‘Justice and Peace’ group hope that by doing this, that it will symbolize the abduction of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls from their classrooms, families and communities by the dissident group, Boko Haram.
Taking part in ‘Black Wednesday’ in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Aoife Grimes, Elaine Heaslip, Ciara Holmes, Brandan Sugrue, Emma Harrington, Daniel Teehan, Elisha Finnerty, Jamie Burke and Alana Boyle. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
TraleeToday.ie was at the event and spoke to Ms. McKenna who is a co-coordinator with the group in the school about the whole days events.
“We have a very keen group of students in fourth and fifth year who are driving activities such as these. This is our opening activity, but it is by no means our last,” she said.
“Today was about raising awareness about those who are denied an education. We take it so much for granted in this country. The perspective of the students and ourselves is that if people’s rights are threatened anywhere, they’re threatened everywhere,” she continued.
In an event that was both striking and visually effective, the 200 students in black were mixed in with some of the other pupils students in the school that were dressed in uniform, and in doing so, highlighted strikingly the difference between them.
A TEENAGER from Tralee is one of 20 young people nationally to be recognised in the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards Programme.
Graham Nelligan, a sixth year student at Mercy Mounthawk, has been recognised for the motivation, service and impact he has demonstrated for his local community.
Graham has been volunteering with Jigsaw Kerry for the past year and a half enabling young people to talk about issues related to mental health. Graham raises awareness amongst young people that ‘it’s ok not to feel ok’.
Continued below…
Through his work with Jigsaw, Graham has organised two 10km runs and has spoken at many events including the Rose of Tralee Festival, the Cycle Against Suicide and during the Ring of Kerry cycle.
“I feel it is important that young people know there is help available and there are people to talk to when they are feeling low,” he said.
Currently Graham is involved in a Health Promotion campaign called ‘Speak your Mind’ which has had an immense impact on the local community.
Continued below…
Through social media Graham is communicating the importance of mental health in the daily lives of young people and while a ‘huge amount of personal commitment is needed I am very proud of how far we have come.’
Graham’s teacher, Pat Fleming, says that Graham is much admired not only for his ceaseless work with Jigsaw Kerry but also for the activities he runs for young people in his area, “he is truly remarkable for the way in which he has taken on responsibility and showed leadership.”
The only all-Ireland youth initiative of its kind is run in partnership with The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) and The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) and recognises outstanding acts of volunteerism by Ireland’s youth.
Twenty post-primary students, who hail from all corners of f Ireland, will be presented with €500 and an engraved silver medallion at the gala awards ceremony on March 12 in the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa by special guest Brent Pope.
At the gala, two of the 20 students will be named All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year and will receive €1,000 for a charity of their choice, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for their school and an all-expense paid trip to the United States in May to participate in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ceremony.
Clodagh Gaynor and Laura Harty at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
SIAMSA Tíre was packed last night as students from Mercy Mounthawk performed the first show in their three night run of ‘The Plough And The Stars’.
Their fellow students, as well as teenagers from other schools around the county, watched on as the actors delivered top performances to justify all the hard work they’ve put in over the past few months.
Continued below…
“They’ve been at rehearsals since the beginning of the school term,” said Mercy Mounthawk Principal, John O’Roarke, before the show.
“We’re very proud of the dedication and effort they’ve been putting in to get the play together. It’s a fantastic experience for them to go on such a stage and a tremendous opportunity for them to do a play that, while somewhat out of its age, at the same time is very pertinent in terms of the upcoming 1916 commemoration,” added the Principal.
The Sean O’Casey classic depicts the harsh realities of life in the Dublin tenements before and during the Easter Rising.
The performances continue tonight and Saturday night, but there are only a few tickets left so check the box office on 066-7123055 for details.
Scroll down for photos of students attending on the night…
Megan Kennedy, Tara O’Halloran, Aoife Sheehy, Maryann Sullivan, Kristiana Tomyuk, Michaela Barrett, and Abigail Mahony at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sean O’Riordan, Padraig Woods, Eoin Walsh and Darragh O’Keeffe at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
See above for special offer
Meabh Burke, Eva Lee, Meg Hurley, Emma Harrington and Christine O’Sullivan at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanLouis Byrne, Luke O’Carroll and Harry Emerson at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanAoife O’Carroll and Atlanta Kennedy at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanAmanda Twomey, Gemma O’Connor, Ellen Dempsey and Elisha Buckley at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanMichael Edgar, Harry Price and Gavin Kennedy at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanMegan Winslow and Michelle Swintek from the US, but who are student-teaching in Kenmare, at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanMary O’Connell, Thomas Dwyer, Ali Guilfoyle and Alex Kelly at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanShelley McKenna, Jer Keohane and Wiktoria Wolkanowska at the opening night of the Mercy Mounthawk students’ performance of ‘The Plough And The Stars’ at Siamsa Tíre on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
At the Mercy Mounthawk, Mark Doe cookery demonstration were, from left: Eleanor Moloney, Kate Barry, Pauline Lynch and Isabelle Lynch. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
IT’S that time of year when many people are watching their waistlines, so to help people on their quest for a healthier new year, a cookery demonstration took place in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Wednesday.
Proceeds on the night were in aid of the new Mercy Mounthawk extension fund and well-known chef and TraleeToday.ie food columnist, Mark Doe, was on hand to dispense healthy advice and delicious recipes.
“I saw Mark Doe during the summer time and I just thought it would be a nice idea at this time of year when people are going on diets to help people out,” said one of the organisers, Norah Quane.
“Hopefully people will come away with a few good tips on how to stay healthy and it’s all in aid of a good cause,” said Norah.
Along with Mark Doe, there was tips and advice from physical therapist Niamh O’Sullivan and dietician Peggy Daly.
Tickets were €10 and attendees were treated with a hot punch on arrival with spot prizes and a raffle on the night.
In December, Mercy Mounthawk, turned the sod on the €1.7 million extension development of the school.
Scroll down for photos…
At the Mercy Mounthawk, Mark Doe cookery demonstration were, from left: Richard O’Halloran, Norah Quane, Helen Cronin, Rose Daly and Mary Savage. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mercy Mounthawk, Mark Doe cookery demonstration were, from left: Geraldine Gannon, Helen Rusk, Mauread O’Shea, Helen Lyons and Helen O’Connor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mercy Mounthawk, Mark Doe cookery demonstration were, from left: Jackie Moloney, Kate Dunne and Tricia O’Malley. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mercy Mounthawk, Mark Doe cookery demonstration were, from left: Meagan Kennedy, Mark Moloney, Roisin Lynch, Mary Anne O’Sullivan and Ellen O’Connell. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mercy Mounthawk, Mark Doe cookery demonstration were, from left: Mary Joe Daly, Peggy Daly, Katie Stack and Lily Hanifin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mercy Mounthawk, Mark Doe cookery demonstration were, from left: Tara O’Halloran, Sam O’Callaghan, Giles Appleby and Kevin Ashe. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The students and teachers who took part in the charity game last week.
THERE was a chance for students of Mercy Mounthawk to get a bit of revenge back on teachers for all that homework, when they held an indoor soccer match in aid of the Palliative Care Unit in Kerry General Hospital last week.
The students and staff raised €200 for the charity which was presented to Ted Moynihan of the Kerry Hospice on Tuesday.
“It was such an enjoyable event, all in the name of a local charity. Our active school’s committee did a great job organising it,” said Mercy Mounthawk teacher, Olivia Dineen.
Along with raising money for a vital local service, students, also held the novelty soccer match in order to capture an ‘Active Schools Flag’ for Mercy Mounthawk.
For the game, students organised music, a ‘Golden Boot’ award and plaques for players on the winning team.
The Palliative Care Unit in Kerry General Hospital support patients and their families from county Kerry with advanced diseases requiring palliative care to attain the best quality of life.
At the cheque handover from money raised by the Mercy Mounthawk, Students v Teachers soccer match, front row, from left: Mark Maloney and Giles Appleby. Back row: Megan Kennedy, Gavin Kennedy, Keith O’Flaherty, Ted Moynihan (Chairperson of the Kerry Hospice Foundation), Micheal Daly, Olivia Dineen (Teacher), Mary Ann Sullivan and Donagh O’Brien.
Ciara Greensmyth and Nicky Breen at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
MERCY Mounthawk students swapped the uniforms for some stunning dresses and stylish suits on Saturday night.
The occasion was, of course, their Debs Ball where up to 300 people enjoyed a night of food and fun at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel.
They enjoyed a meal followed by DJ Ahmed rocking the house into the early hours.
It was certainly a glamorous affair as our photos below show.
Scroll down for 28 more photos from the event…
King Usog, Febie Nicolas, Patrycja Sendek and Oskar Naborczyk at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jimmy O’Riordan, Michelle Counihan, Nicole Moloney and Cormac Sheehy at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Marian Teahan, Jennifer Conway, Bláithín Griffin, Denise McKenzie Vass, Michelle O’Leary and Aislinn McCarthy at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sophie Duggan, Jonathan O’Reilly and Nicky Breen at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Niamh Dillane, Mark O’Connor, Shane Commane and Joan Walsh at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanPhena Mulligan and Clara Heinrich at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Eoin Lyons, Rachel Rogers, Heather Heaslip and Jonathan O’Shea at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
See above ad for special offer
Zoe O’Carroll, Darren Sweeney, Conor Brick and Katelyn McCarthy at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanKelly Brosnan and William O’Leary at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Eleanor O’Grady and Cathal Sheehan at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Fiachra King and Aislinn Ringland at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanRobbie Lehane and Alison Moriarty at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanGavin Connolly, Iseult Daly, Emma Leahy and Sean Dowling at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanAbbey Dolan and Simon Lonergan at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanDylan Ronan, Aisling Lynch, Kelly O’Connor and Gary Foley at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanPaul Lynch, Skye O’Connor, Michaela Sugrue and Shane Benner at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanCiara Williams and Ciaran Moss at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanLucas Cronin and Rosie Wheeler at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanCathal Lehane and Aoife Brosnan at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanFebie Nicolas, Nicola Kosinova, Sarah Bartosik and Patrycja Sendek at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanKevin McCarthy and Laura Carroll at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanCiara Greensmyth and Greg Leahy at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanRyan Dolan Rebecca Forth at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanKatelyn Lyons and Enda Sugrue at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanPeter Hawkins and Shauna O’Sullivan at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanJimmy O’Riordan, Michelle Counihan, Dearbhla Lynch and Patrick Walsh at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanPatrycja Sendek and Oskar Naborczyk at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot CreanKing Usog and Febie Nicolas, at the Mercy Mounthawk Students’ Debs Ball in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Minister Jimmy Deenihan turns the sod for new extension work in Mercy Mounthawk secondary. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
WORK has commenced in Mercy Mounthawk on a €1.7 million project which will improve and develop facilities in the school.
The extension will contain seven classrooms, four resource rooms an extended canteen space – which will double as a performance space – and a new toilet block.
At the turning of the sod in Mounthawk were, Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Mayor of Tralee Jim Finucane and Arthur Spring TD.
The extension was made possible through the allocation of a devolved grant from the Department of Education.
“We are very thankful to our local politicians and especially Minister Deenihan for their support in delivering this development,” said Mounthawk Principal John O’Rourke.
“The realisation of this project has also been made possible through the reliable support of the parents – through very considerable and ongoing fundraising. We undertook an ambitious plan to raise €250,000 to provide for the extension of the canteen space and with the support of the parents and the local community we are halfway through to that target,” said John O’Roarke.
While the project is taking place over the next year it will bring an injection of work into the Tralee area.
The design team is led by Liam Waldron and Cathal Sheehy from MRG consulting in Tralee and the contract was won by Evans and Kelliher from Milltown.
At a Mercy Mounthawk Christmas Carol on in St Brendan’s Church were, from left: Quinn O’Halloran, Tom Crowley, Amy Shalvey, Eoin McElligott and Micheal Walsh. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
MERCY MOUNTHAWK held its annual Christmas carol event in St Brendan’s Church on Thursday night.
Two choirs sang on the night, one made up of 63 students and the other a 25 strong group of Mounthawk teachers took to the stage to show off their vocal prowess at the event.
“The choir has grown and grown down the years. We did our first one the year the school opened, It’s one of the really special events in the school calendar,” said Mercy Mounthawk Deputy Principal Pat Fleming.
The concert featured a full choir with a male section. They were led by two teachers, Sinead Muldoon Walsh and Katrina O’Sullivan.
“The choir have put in huge work. Pretty much everyday after school and practically every lunch time for the guts of the last month they have been preparing for tonight,” said Pat Fleming.
“We’re very proud of our choral group, they’ll be entering the Cork Choral Festival again. They came forth last year so they’re really hoping to go a few steps further next year,” he said.
Scroll down for photos…
The school choir at the Mercy Mounthawk Christmas Carol on in St Brendan’s Church. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At a Mercy Mounthawk Christmas Carol on in St Brendan’s Church were, from left, front row: Enda Sugrue, Patrick O’Donnell, Jordan Tearle and Killian Dalton. Back row: Jamie Burke, Colin O’Shea and Pierce O’Brien. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At a Mercy Mounthawk Christmas Carol on in St Brendan’s Church were, from left: Unity Ankomah, Joe Quilter, Olamidee Adebayo, Adam Bohane, Dara O’Nualain and Amy Maher. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At a Mercy Mounthawk Christmas Carol on in St Brendan’s Church were, from left front row: Sinead Muldoon Walsh, Noreen Summers, Suzanne O’Halloran, Noreen Sheldan and Mary Barry. Back row: Katrina O’Sullivan. Sr Maureen, Bernie O’Herlihy and Teresa Sheehy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At a Mercy Mounthawk Christmas Carol on in St Brendan’s Church were, from left: Maggie, Blathin and Sadbh Griffin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.The choir of Mercy Mounthawk teachers perform at the Mercy Mounthawk Christmas Carol on in St Brendan’s Church. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At a Mercy Mounthawk Christmas Carol on in St Brendan’s Church were, from left: Roisin Sheehan, Aisling Williams, Victoria Wolkanowska, Sherma Carey, Sarah Hartnett and Carla Hanifin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At a Mercy Mounthawk Christmas Carol on in St Brendan’s Church were, from left: Aoibhinn O’Brien, David Corkery, Mark Moloney, Giles Appleby, Ryan O’Sullivan and Sinead Ryan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Teaching staff from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, Tomás Mac Muiris, Fiona Uí Mhuiris, Deirdre Ní Chochláin and Principal Austin Ó Seachnasaigh taking part in the official strike on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
SECONDARY school teachers in Tralee joined their comrades all over the country in the one day strike yesterday over changes to the Junior Certificate.
Thousands of students attending Presentation, Mercy Mounthawk, CBS The Green, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí and Coláiste Gleann Lí had a day off as members of teaching unions walked the picket line outside the schools.
The strike was centred around the main issue of teachers being asked to mark 40% of the course work of their students, but also about resources and years of cuts to education budgets.
Continued below…
TraleeToday.ie visited the schools and yesterday and spoke to ASTI Shop Steward at Mercy Mounthawk, John Dowling, about the public’s reaction to the strike.
“The public perception of what we’re doing is positive enough I think, because we’re not striking about money at all,” said John Dowling, ASTI Shop Steward at Mercy Mounthawk, as a few cars whizzed by, beeping.
“We’re striking about the students’ conditions, their welfare and education. We feel that bringing in 40% continuous assessment for the Junior Cert – which won’t be assessed by the State and will be assessed by us to our own students – will make a mockery out of the whole thing,” he added.
“You’re then giving a State certificate for an exam which hasn’t been fully assessed by the State. We don’t want to be assessing our own students because questions of bias and unfairness would be raised by parents,” said Mr Dowling.
“We’re open to project work, but we want to make sure that work is taken away and externally assessed so that an ‘A’ grade in Mercy Mounthawk is an ‘A’ in Presentation and it’s an ‘A’ in Clare and in Galway. We see how how everything is becoming so competitive with school league tables. Every school is going to want to be up there because they want to have a good reputation. So is everybody going to be fair in that instance? I hope so, but it just leaves it open to that sort of thing,” said Mr Dowling.
There is another one day strike planned for January, unless the Government and the unions can come together and work out the issues.
Scroll down for photos…
Teachers from Coláiste Gleann Lí in Clash, Ciara Walsh, Mike Quirke, Anthony Dineen, Norma Breen, Ann-Marie O’Kelly and John Joe Roche taking part in the official strike on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot CreanTeachers from Presentation Secondary School, Clem O’Keeffe, Mary Twomey, Catriona Walsh, Sandra Moore, Alan O’Sullivan and Mary Mulcahy taking part in the official strike on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot CreanTeachers from CBS The Green, Mike Tim O’Sullivan, John O’Mahony, Sheila Mulcahy, Ann Moynihan and Rachel Moynihan taking part in the official strike on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot CreanTeachers from Mercy Mounthawk, Mairead McAuliffe, Bernie O’Shea, Marie O’Connor, Aisling O’Connor, Mairead O’Mahony, Lindsey Moriarty, John Dowling, Tom Benson, Catriona O’Sullivan and Ronan Redican taking part in the official strike on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
TRANSITION year students of Mercy Mounthawk, produced their own fashion show on Wednesday night in aid of the Cycle Against Suicide and the school building fund.
A huge amount of effort was put in by the students who took part in every facet of the production, from the building of the runway to getting the models out there looking their best.
“The students run the whole show, I’m only a guide really,” said Veronica Hunt, Mercy Mounthawk teacher.
“The show is great for giving the students a boost of confidence from learning how to organise an event like this, hair to makeup, printing tickets, doing the sound, everything. It’s a great experience” said Veronica.
“It’s a big undertaking, but I think it pays off in the end, It’s one of the highlights of the year and it’s great for the students to say we did this ourselves” she said.
There as a great turnout for the event and much money was raised for a good cause.
Scroll down for photos…
At the Mounthawk Fashion Show, were from left: Maryanne O’Sullivan, Tracey O’Keeffe, Shelly McKenna and Aoife Sheehy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
With hats supplied by Antoinette O’Mahony Millinery, at the Mercy Mounthawk Fashion Show were: Roisin Lynch and Ciara O’Connor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
At the Mounthawk Fashion Show, were from left: David McCarthy, Clodagh Harrington, Tom Crowley, Aoife O’Carroll, Daire O Nuallain, Sinead Deasy and Sean Collins. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mounthawk Fashion Show, were from left: Tracy O’Keefe, Erin Fitzgibbon, Roisin Lynch and Tara O’Halloran.At the Mercy Mounthawk Fashion Show were, from left: Jenny Godley and Amy Shalvey. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mounthawk Fashion Show, were from left: Rebecca Daly, Nicola Dodson and Abigail O’Mahony. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mercy Mounthawk Fashion Show were, from left: Amy Maher, Eileen Flanagan, teacher Veronica Hunt and Atlanta Kennedy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mercy Mounthawk Fashion Show were, from left: Sean Dowling, Connor O’Donoghue, Karen O’Brien and Gavin Connolly. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mounthawk Fashion Show, were from left: Laura O’Carroll, Kim Sugrue, Ashley O’Carroll, Aoife O’Connor and Elena Gannon. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mounthawk Fashion Show, were from left: Ella O’Carroll, Mary O’Carroll and Claire O’Connor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mounthawk Fashion Show, were from left: Klaudia Sitkawska, Sarah Falvey, Ciara Jeffers, Chelsea Quirke and Orla Hussey. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mounthawk Fashion Show, were from left: Anne Cronin, Fiona Shalvey, Grace and Helen O’Connor. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mounthawk Fashion Show, were from left: David Harrington, Anne Marie Harrington, Anne Kelly. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Mercy Mounthawk Fashion Show were, from left: Kevin Ashe, Eni Gaxha, Claire Casey and Christian Keane. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
EVERYONE knows the story of the Ardfert man who tore up his All-Ireland ticket in order to get €2,000 for his GAA club. But what happened next?
John Dowling and his girlfriend were stopped by a film crew from AIB outside Croke Park on All-Ireland final day and he was offered €2,000 for his club if he ripped the sacred ticket up.
After much soul-searching the Mercy Mounthawk teacher did it, only to be told after the ticket he destroyed was a fake and he would indeed be going to the ball (click here to refresh your memory).
Well AIB have made a follow-up video about John’s beloved club featuring interviews with lots of well-known local faces.
SAM was on the move again around the town on Monday. The famous cup received a huge reception, at Mercy Mounthawk, when Barry John Keane accompanied by current pupil, Andrew Barry, with the minor trophy arrived to the school.
“Since we won I’ve been looking forward to this day. It’s a great moment and I’m very proud obviously,” said Andrew Barry
“It wasn’t in my mind before the final because I just wanted to concentrate on my game, it’s been a great experience,” said Andrew.
Continued below…
In front of packed hall of fellow students and the Tom Markham Cup in his hands, Andrew must now feel like he’s king of the school.
“I don’t know about that! It’s a bit of extra attention, but people will get over it eventually,” said Andrew.
This was a momentous day for Mercy Mounthawk, as it was another sign that the school’s football star is rising.
“We are delighted we’re able two bring the two cups today and we’re even more delighted Andrew was able to bring the Minor cup in,” said Principal, John O’Roarke.
“It’s great to have a player from the school on the panel. Andrew now is a fantastic role model for the school,” said Principal O’Roarke.
“We now have two players this year on the development panel so it would be great if they could get there. The school keeps on moving up and doing well in GAA and it’s events like this give other students the enthusiasm and impetus to go on and make it,” he added.
Barry John Keane with Sam Maguire cup and Andrew Barry with the Tom Markham Cup, along with students of Mercy Mounthawk. Photo by Gavin O’Connor. Photo by Gavin O’ConnorAndrew Barry and the Tom Markham Cup, with staff and students of Mercy Mounthawk. Sean Gannon, Katie Crowe, Sinead Muldoon, Lindsey Moriarty, Aideen Fox and Tadgh Hurley. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Mercy Mounthawk students gathering in the sports hall before they departed on the run. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.,
STUDENTS and staff of Mercy Mounthawk took part in a fun run in aid of the Donal Walsh inspired charity, ‘Cycle Against Suicide’.
The 2.5k run, brought them out of the gates of the school, out the Bracker O’Regan Road, around the roundabout and back again.
The run on Friday was a practice run for Cycle Against Suicide events next year. A camera crew was also at the school filming and the footage shot will be shown to schools around the country as a guide to how the national event should play out.
Continued below…
Cycle Against Suicide has been around since 2013 and the next cycle will take place on the May bank holiday weekend 2015.
Mounthawk is one of the anchor schools for the event, which means the school will host over 1,000 cyclists when Cycle Against Suicide rolls into town again.
“It’s ok not to feel ok and its absolutely ok to ask for help,” is the slogan for Cycle Against Suicide, whose mission is to break the cycle of suicide on the island of Ireland, particularly with young people.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be one of the hosts of the Cycle Against Suicide next May,” said Principal, John O’Roarke.
“The message Cycle Against Suicide is trying to get out is of vital importance.If we can do events like this that can create awareness of the issue, then that is worth doing,” said Mr O’Roarke.
At the Cycle Against Suicide fun run event in Mounthawk were, from left: Leticia Andrees, Stephanie Doherty, Leontia Doody and Eileen Corridan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Cycle Against Suicide fun run event in Mounthawk were, from left: Kevin Ashe, Aaron Williams, Ben Kavanagh and Tom Moriarty. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Cycle Against Suicide fun run event in Mounthawk were, from left: Adele Hennessy, Bernie O’Shea (Teacher), Martin Moloney and Clara O’Halloran. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Cycle Against Suicide fun run event in Mounthawk were, from left: Sophia Chac, Katelyn O’Brien and Leah Browne. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Students and staff filming some of the footage of the event that will be sent around other schools across the country. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
MERCY Mounthawk held special awards ceremony on Saturday morning, to honour the students from the school who achieved over 600 points in the Leaving Certificate this year.
Principal John O’Roarke presented the four teenagers with a special memento to mark the achievement while their families and staff from the school looked on.
The four students are Brendan O’Connor, Ardfert (studying Engineering in UL), Conor O’Mahony, Ballinorig (studying Physiotherapy in UL), Aine Daly, Tonevane (a medicine student in Trinity College) and Michael Grimes, Ardfert (Nano-science in Trinity College).
“It’s a tremendous personal achievement for them, their parents and the teachers in the school too,” Principal O’Roarke told TraleeToday.ie.
Conor O’Mahony, Aine Daly, Brendan O’Connor and Michael Grimes with their awards at Mercy Mounthawk on Saturday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanAine Daly with Deputy Principal Pat Fleming and Principal John O’Roarke at Mercy Mounthawk on Saturday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanConor O’Mahony with Deputy Principal Pat Fleming and Principal John O’Roarke at Mercy Mounthawk on Saturday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanMichael Grimes with Principal John O’Roarke at Mercy Mounthawk on Saturday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanBrendan O’Connor with Deputy Principal Pat Fleming and Principal John O’Roarke at Mercy Mounthawk on Saturday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
MERCY Mounthawk transition year students were paid a visit by town mayor Jim Finucane on Friday morning.
The students are taking part in the fifth year of the ‘Interact Club’ in Mercy Mounthawk which is the Junior Rotary Club of Tralee.
Mayor Jim Finucane made his visit to commend the Interact Club on their work and to wish them well for the year.
Continued below…
The Interact Club helps to give students a broader picture of the community and the environment that is around them with the ultimate aim to contribute to a better society.
“Rotary is about service over self. It’s about helping the community, that’s what we try to do with the class here in Mounthawk,” said Rotary Club representative Grace O’Donnell.
With the Interact Club, the students are brought out of the classroom and pitch in with the Tralee Tidy Towns and other organisation in the town. The club are also involved in raising money for charity.
“The Interact Club, contributes to developing the overall person and encourages good citizenship,” said Mayor of Tralee, Jim Finucane,
The Mounthawk Transition year class presenting Mayor of Tralee, Jim Finucane, with a pennant to mark the occasion of his visit. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
MERCY Mounthawk’s U19 Basketball team won their first ever invitational tournament at home after six years of hosting the event.
At the weekend, Mounthawk beat St Malachy’s from Belfast in the final by a score of 37-32.
“I am thrilled for the boys. Seven games in two days is hard enough but to win them all you need an extremely strong team of players and that’s what we have,” said Mounthawk U19 Basketball coach, John Dowling.
“They’re a team who doesn’t care who scores or gets the headlines but just want’s to win at all costs and they proved that last weekend,” said John.
After two action packed days and 18 trilling games of a very high standard Mounthawk defeated every team in their annual invitational tournament and finished with a perfect 7 and 0 winning record.
In a weekend of firsts Mounthawk also defeated old rivals St Malachy’s for the first time in the school’s history after losing in the last four years to the school from Belfast.
The semi-finals and final were all played on Sunday in Mounthawk. St Malachys beat Douglas of Cork in the semi-final with Mounthawk overpowering Castleisland in the last quarter after a heavily fought game.
The Tralee team beat all the sides in the tournament on the way to victory, including St Malachy’s and Castleisland twice. Tommy Sheehy of Mercy Mounthawk was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Competing over Saturday and Sunday were six teams from around Ireland, including Mercy Mounthawk. They were, Christian Brothers (Cork City), St Malachy’s (Belfast), Gaelcholáiste Mhuire A.G. (Cork City), Douglas Community School (Cork City) and Castleisland Basketball Club.
“The team performed excellently along with some great individual displays from Tommy Sheehy and Cian O’Sullivan,” said John. “It’s a great way to kick off a new season , one that we are really looking forward to.”
The school will be hosting another basketball tournament this weekend in the U16 grade. Once again schools from around the country will compete including teams from Dublin, Galway and Sligo.
The Mercy Mounthawk U19 basketball team that won the Mercy Mounthawk Invitational Basketball tournament at the weekend, front row, from left: Sean Dowling, Sean Herrick, Karl Hoffman, Kevin McCarthy, Dara Devine, Patrick Kearney and Cathal O’Reilly. Back row, from left: Tommy Sheehy, Keelan Crowe, James O’Connor, Cian O’Sullivan, Gary Fernane, Robbie Dinan and Kieran Mangan.
MERCY Mounthawk and Brookfield College reverberated to the sound of nervous students receiving their Leaving Cert exam results on Wednesday morning, after months of hard work and anguish.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the results,” said Principal of Brookfield College, Elisha Dowling.
“One of our students got 625 points while we had five students with 600 or over. We had 23% of our students achieving over 500 points while 63% got over 400,” said Elisha.
“What was especially satisfying was seeing repeat students who were disappointed last year, bounding out the door with delight this time out,” he said.
Over in Mercy Mounthawk the story was the same with students expressing joy at the results. Principal John O’Roarke said some students had achieved over 600 points and many others got over 500, but he said they celebrated equally the success of Leaving Cert Applied students.
“I think it’s important to recognise the reality of choice today. Even if students achieved their first choice in college it’s vital that they assess whether that is the right choice to make, irrespective of what happens today. But it is a joyful time and it’s wonderful to share in that joy with them. All the hard work they put in has been rewarded,” he said.
Video (by Oscar Brophy) and Photos below…
Receiving their Leaving Cert results in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Fiona Burns and Claire Brennan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Receiving their Leaving Cert results in Brookfield College were, from left: Megan Banbry, Kelly Field, Niamh Hurley and Emma Murray. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Receiving their Leaving Cert results in Mercy Mounthawk were, Rachel Byrne and Mícheál Costello. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Receiving their Leaving Cert results in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Conor O’Mahony, Michael Grimes, Gavin Ryan and Kevin Shanahan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Receiving their Leaving Cert results in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Dylan Sheehy, Brian Lynch and David Kavanagh. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Receiving their Leaving Cert results in Brookfield College were, from left: Bartley Horan, Tomas Kavanagh and Danial Horgan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Receiving their Leaving Cert results in Mercy Mounthawk were, from left: Fiachra O’Connor and Holseida Mucaj. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
