STUDENTS from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí joined schools from all over the country at the Gaelbhratach presentation on DCU St Patrick’s Campus in Dublin on Tuesday.
The flags were presented to students and teachers in recognition of the work they carried out throughout the year to promote the Irish language in their schools.
It was a fun social occasion for students of Gaelbhratach committees across the country to come together, enjoy the ceol agus craic, and to get a taste of Irish-language life outside of school through workshops and a panel discussion with some former Gaelbhratach students.
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Caoimhe Ní Chathail, producer and presenter with BBC Blas and Raidió Fáilte, and Jamie Ó Flannúra, manager of Raidió Rí-Rá, presented the flags to the schools on the scheme.
Jamie presented the panel discussion – which focused on the opportunities and possibilities that come with a life through Irish after school – alongside Barry Ó Siochriú, the first full-time Irish language officer in the NUI Galway Students’ Union and former pupil of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí; Mairidh Nic Cormaic, founder of Sew It Seams; Mícheál Ó Nualláin, manager of Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge; and Caoimhe Ní Chathail.
The Gaelbhratach scheme is funded by Foras na Gaeilge and by the Department of Education and Skills.
REHEARSALS are in full swing for a hilarious comedy to be performed by Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí students near the end of the month.
‘Til Death Do Us Part’ is an original comedy drama written by Mary Quirke of Qwerkreation Productions.
Mary Quirke has worked with the Transition year students in the school for the past two years as a Drama facilitator.
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The TY students have won awards at the All-Ireland Transition Year Drama Festival both this year and last year.
On the strength of this, they decided to produce a full length play. This is the first time that GCC has undertaken such a project.
While the ethos of GCC is the education through the medium of Irish, this is not to the exclusion of English and it was agreed that in this instance, in order to reach a wider audience, it would be beneficial to produce a play in English.
There are 16 students acting on stage while the remainder comprise marketing and production teams who are extremely busy promoting and sourcing props etc.
These talented teenage thespians started rehearsing six weeks ago and are excited to showcase their acting skills to a general audience.
The play tells the hilarious story of Davy and Audrey’s wedding day. While it is supposed to be the happiest day of their lives, it is evident that their families are none too happy about this union. In fact most of the wedding party believe that this is NOT a match made in heaven!
To add to this misery, there is confusion over funeral arrangements for the same day and the corpse somehow finds himself as an unwelcome guest at these fraught nuptials!
‘Til Death do us Part will be staged on Friday, May 27, at 7.30pm in Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn Hall. There will be spot prizes galore including prize for ‘Best Dressed’ on the night!
Ticket prices are – €12 per adult – €10 Student/OAP – €8 per child U12. There is a special discounted rate of €10 and €5 for tickets purchased before this Friday, May 6, of €10 per adult and €5 for student/OAP/U12’s. Phone Kirsty at 083-8800126 before 3pm Monday to Friday for bookings.
By Daithí Ó Loingsigh (student at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí)
Ghlac daltaí misniúla Idirbhliana Ghaelcholáiste Chiarraí páirt i bhFéile Drámaíochta “The Briery Gap” in Ionad Óige Mhainistir Fhear Muí Déardaoin seo caite.
Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí TY students were delighted to participate in the national Briery Gap Theatre Competition in Fermoy last week.
Ba é “Tar Éis 1913” an chéad sársaothar léirithe ar stáitse ag aisteoirí GCC, scríofa agus stiúrtha ag Bean D’Altuin. Rinne an gearrdhráma seo cur síos ar na droch-choinníollacha faoinar fhulaing na mílte clainne fud fad na tíre i mBaile Átha Cliath tar éis stailce agus frithdhúnadh 1913.
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Léirigh cúpla radharcanna na hÉireannaigh a chláraigh l’airm na Breataine le greim bidh a chur ar an mbord agus conas gur cuireadh iad thar sáile le troid sa chéad chogadh domhanda.
Ba léir gur chur taispeántaisí maoithneacha na n-aisteoirí na moltóirí faoi gheasa agus bronnadh Corn Mháire Mhic Suibhne orthu don Dráma Gaeilge is Fearr ar na haisteoirí. Maith sibh as ucht bhúr n-iarrachtaí.
“Shake It Up Shakespeare” was the next drama on the docket and was written and directed by Mary Quirke of Qwerkreation Productions.
It was a comic spin on the ever-famous Shakespeare plays. Romeo, Juliet, Othello, Puck, Lysander and more were brought to life once again with a fresh twist.
The actors completely dedicated themselves to portraying their often-foolish characters and this made the viewing experience a complete wonder.
This drama was presented with both the “Best Comedy” and “Runner’s Up” award at the tense final presentation ceremony.
The students celebrated accordingly with a music party and a photo blitz with the hard-won trophies.
IT’S Debs Ball week at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel and last night it was the turn of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí students to have fun during the mid-term break.
Over 90 guests were in attendance for a night of food, fashion and dancing until the small hours, a chance for the sixth years to have some well-earned fun before the hard work they face over the coming months.
Like on Monday night, when Mounthawk students enjoyed their debs, we captured some of the style as the guests arrived. Scroll down for photos…
A GAELCHOLÁISTE Chiarraí student has won the Broadcom Masters International Award at SciFest for her project on Japanese knotweed.
Grace Ni Ifearnáin has now been selected by SciFest to represent Ireland at the Broadcom Masters International programme in Atlanta, Georgia, from May 8-13 2022.
Grace is currently in second year at the school and has previously won the Best Project Award at the regional SciFest STEM fair in Munster Technological University Tralee in May which qualified her to participate in the SciFest National Final 2021 in November.
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At the final Grace was awarded an Excellence in STEM Award and went on to be one of a number of junior students who were selected by the judges to be considered for the Broadcom Masters Award.
The standard of the projects was exceptionally high and after much deliberation from the judges Grace was named the winner.
Her project was entitled ‘Nature Takes on Nature; Investigating the Effect of Juglone on Kapanese Knotweed’.
IT’S been a fantastic afternoon for Tralee schools, but especially for Mercy Mounthawk at the BT Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition as the award results were announced.
Dara Newsome, David Hughes and Conor Bradshaw’s project ‘Specs – A Wearable Smart Device for Dementia Patients’ was Overall Runner-up in the competition, while the school won Best Overall School in the Republic of Ireland.
The boys also won the Health Research Board award for the project in the Technology section. It’s not the first big prize the trio have won. Back in 2020 they won two prestigious awards at the National Scifest competition.
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Grace Ni Ifearnáin of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí won the Eli Lilly Award and the Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Junior Individual 1st place for her project, ‘Nature takes on nature: investigating the effect of Juglone on Japanese Knotweed’ in the Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences category.
Kai Seino from Mercy Mounthawk won 2nd place in the same category for his project ‘Investigating the Structural Stability of 3d Objects Using Convex Hull and Center of Mass’.
Coren Hughes from Mercy Mounthawk won Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Senior individual 1st place for his project ‘Minimising Packaging Waste Using Convex Hulls’. He also won a Display Award for his project.
Paula Holmes, Aoife Bourke from Mercy Mounthawk won 3rd place in the Social and Behavioural Senior Group category for their project ‘An investigation into suicide rates in EU countries and the factors that affect them’.
Rachel Feeley from Mercy Mounthawk was Highly Commended in the Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences category for ‘Designing A Surgical Forceps Incorporating Frustrated Total Internal Reflection For Energy Efficient Sealing and Cutting of Tissue Using Light Energy’.
TRALEE Tidy Towns welcomed students from the Gaelcholáiste Chíarraí last Friday to plant 78 native Hawthorn trees on Bracker O’Regan Road.
This builds on the trees already planted by Kerry Group staff last month. Anne Marie Fuller of Tralee Tidy Towns said: “Tralee Tidy Towns is delighted to work with the students of GCC who showed great commitment to proceed with the planting given the conditions on the day.”
“These trees were sponsored by charity Easy Treesie; they will enhance the biodiversity in the area and will also act as a carbon sink. This project supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 – Life on Land.
“We would like to thank the Kerry County Council Tralee MD for facilitating it and allowing us to plant on the Bracker O’Regan Road.”
KERRY Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) and Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí were delighted to welcome the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, TD, to turn the sod for the construction of a new school building for Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí on Friday.
The new 75,000 sq. ft. building with a capacity to cater for 600 students will enable the Gaelcholáiste to accommodate its expanding student population which has necessitated a second campus since 2016.
Funding of approximately €16m has been allocated for this project under Project Ireland 2040. The Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Campas Nua will be built on a 6.5-acre site at Clonmore in Tralee, which was provided by Kerry County Council.
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Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said: “I welcome the opportunity to attend this socially distanced turning of the sod on this ambitious new school project for Gaelcholaiste Chiarrai. The new building represents a significant investment of approximately €16 million and will include 22 general classrooms, 4 science labs, a Library and specialist rooms for Art, Technical Graphics, Materials Technology Wood, Music, Home Economics and ICT.”
“The new 75,000 sq.ft building will have a capacity to cater for 600 students, while the campus will also include a Sports Hall, Fitness Suite, hard-court play areas and further developments to include a Hurling Wall and a training pitch. I would like to commend Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council for their tireless commitment and endeavour to this project and for ensuring that this fine institution will continue to enrich, empower and inspire Kerry students through the Irish language, for many years to come.”
Ruairí Ó Cinnéide, príomhoide, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí said, “At present there are students from up to 40 different primary schools attending Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí. It is very important to us that students from all primary schools realise that Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí is a viable option for them for their second level education. Students, and their parents, are sometimes anxious about making the transition into an All-Irish learning environment as they often underestimate their own competency in spoken and written Irish, however, we would always recommend that they contact us to discuss this as the vast majority of students are well capable of making the transition.”
Kerry Education and Training Board Chief Executive, Mr Colm McEvoy has welcomed the decision to allow the vital project to proceed as it will enable Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to cater for increasing enrolments when completed.
“I am delighted that the Department of Education have affirmed the critical importance of delivering this post-primary educational facility. The new school building will enable the Management of the school to cater for the increasing demands to access post primary education through medium of Irish, in Tralee and the surrounding area. The new school building when complete will provide a modern, state of art teaching and learning environment for students and staff. We are very appreciative of the support we have received form the Local Community and Kerry Co. Co. in advancing this project. We all look forward to the completion of the new school building.”
Chairperson of Kerry Education and Training Board, Cllr. Jim Finucane in welcoming the commencement of the formal construction phase of the building stated: “The commencement of the construction of the new Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí school building is very welcome development for Tralee and the wider area. This new building project is being managed by the ETB Head Office buildings team and is being delivered under the devolved projects funding model. The planning and preparation for this project have been ongoing for many years and I am delighted that all of that work has come to fruition. The provision of the site by Kerry Co. Co. for the new school was a significant milestone for this project coupled with excellent work of the ETB Management and the design team in progressing the project thought the various design and approval stages with the Department in recent years. As with any project of this nature it will give a significant boost to the local Tralee economy during and beyond the construction phase.”
STUDENTS from Tralee schools were among the winners of a national journalism and writing competition.
The result of ‘Press Pass’ run by NewsBrands Ireland were announced yesterday and Caylin Murray, Mercy Secondary School was deemed winner of the ‘Opinion’ category, while Cian Ó Grifín of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí was second in the ‘Photojournalism’ category.
Other Kerry award winners were Michael Holden, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, (2nd in ‘Features’); Kaylin Ní Ghealbhái, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne (3rd in ‘News’); Mahdi Ní Chonmhaoile, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne (2nd in ‘Sport) and Conor Crowley, Presentation Secondary School, Milltown (3rd in ‘Sport’).
Press Pass is a Transition Year student journalism and news literacy programme run by NewsBrands Ireland and Local Ireland, the representative bodies for the national and local news publishing industries.
The free programme has been running for over seven years and completed by 80,000 students. It seeks to teach the fundamentals of journalism writing, improve news literacy and critical thinking skills, and encourage students to analyse content and form opinions about important social issues.
THE entire student body at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí were joined by their teachers for a 5k fun run during the school’s Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations.
While some wore green to mark the upcoming national holiday, they had to cover up with jackets as the heavens opened while they made their way around the Town Park.
It was part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge events to celebrate our Irish language and culture, but they have had to be curtailed a bit because of the Coronavirus precautions. It was also to encourage students to get some exercise and fresh air. Scroll down for photos…
INCOMING Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has called on the Department of Education to review the tendering process for the new Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí school, so that local builders would not be excluded from the process.
A contractor has yet to be appointed to the project, located on a site between Hawley Park and University Hospital Kerry, which had its official sod turning ceremony last May and previously had a scheduled completion date of winter 2020.
Daly, who is a member of the Kerry Education and Training Board and of the Bord Bainistíochta of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, said that under current Departmental guidelines, only companies that made a profit of €19m or more over the last three years would be allowed to tender for the new building. This would effectively exclude any Kerry based builders.
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Deputy elect Daly said: “I am calling on the Department to review the process so that local builders would be given the chance to tender for the new building. It would be a shame if such a project was to exclude local builders. The current threshold of €19m would be beyond the reach of any local builder. It would make economic sense for local workers and local builders to benefit from this project.”
Back in March 2016, Kerry County Council signed over the site for the new school to the Kerry Education and Training Board.
They received approval from the Department of Education to progress the new school building to Stage 2 of the process in May 2018 and a year later, Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh, turned the sod on the site. As of December 31, 2019, the project was at Stage 2B of the process.
The new school will cater for over 600 students and will feature 25 general classrooms, specialist classrooms, a library, multimedia labs, canteen and dining areas, a sports hall and the cultúrlann performance area.
THEY’RE a very creative bunch in Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí and students there always make a huge effort for an annual competition to highlight environmental issues.
Junk Kouture is a fashion competition using recycled materials, which challenges young people to design, create and model high-end couture from everyday junk.
Teacher Deirdre Ní Shíocháin said the Transition Years at the school always make a great effort.
“We have nine entries this year and we’ve always had an entry advance in the competition. They’re excellent students and have been working on this since October,” said Siobhan.
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“They’re very focussed on the designs and each part takes such a long time to make. There’s a theme behind each design — one is based around the fires in Australia and another about melting icecaps,” added Siobhan.
Student Máire Ní Lionnáin was wearing one such design, made out plastic bottles, milk cartons, bottle caps and bubble wrap.
“It’s inspired by the fragility of a porcelain doll which is symbolic of the fragility of our environment and how the mass production of plastics effects it,” she said.
Katie de Rossa wore a design based on ladybirds and butterflies and how due to climate change they are under threat and how people should make an effort to change that.
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Saoirse Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh was wearing a piece made out of Dunnes Stores, CDs, paper plates and more. “It’s based on a Celtic queen and called ‘laoch maorga,’ meaning majestic knight or warrior. It’s theme is gender equality and empowerment of women,” she said.
The students have submitted photos of their entries and the regional finalists will be announced on social media on Wednesday, January 29.
WE’RE in festive debs season and after the glamour of the CBS Tralee students ball on Monday, it was the turn of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí students to glam up on Thursday night.
Again, the venue was the Ballyroe Heights Hotel and over 90 students enjoyed a three course meal with entertainment from a DJ. They were joined by around 35 more partygoers for the ‘afters’ later.
Some of them will probably be at the Mercy Mounthawk students ball at the same place tonight which will complete the Tralee schools debs for the time being. Scroll down for photos…
STUDENTS at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí showed their generosity just before Christmas with a shoebox collection for a homeless shelter.
Elma O’Sullivan’s Transitiion Year class co-ordinated with the whole school to put together shoeboxes and fundraise for Arlington Lodge.
“We felt it was a very worthy cause especially at Christmas time and we’ve endeavoured to help them with this appeal over the past number of years,” said Elma.
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“Homelessness is such a problem in this country and the students made a huge drive with this initiative and we brought food to the shelter earlier this week,” she continued.
Students and staff created around 100 shoeboxes which contained a present and essential toiletries, clothing and more. Philip Lyons of Novas called to the school to collect the shoeboxes on Friday morning.
GAELCHOLAISTE Chiarraí celebrated their annual Wellbeing Week earlier this month which saw a variety of events in the school.
One such event was a cake sale run by the student’s council and wellbeing team to collect money for Southwest counselling services.
On Monday, the students presented, with their teachers, a cheque of €185.53 to Jimmy Mulligan of South West Counselling services.
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Mr Mulligan thanked all at the school for their efforts during Wellbeing Week. This year’s Wellbeing week focused on the five indicators of wellbeing (Active, Connected, Resilient, Aware and Responsible) with collaboration across all departments in the school getting involved in events.
There were study skills workshops, yoga and mindfulness classes, a workshop learning about substance misuse and about the impacts choices have on the greater community, Zumba classes and much more.
GAELCHOLÁISTE Chiarraí hosted a very pleasant event on Friday informing the Tralee public about the process involved in putting together the Tralee Language Plan.
Tralee has been named as a Gaeltacht Service Town, resulting in funding being made available by the Department of the Gaeltacht and Foras na Gaeilge for the development of a Tralee Language Plan.
The aim of the Language Plan is to add to the use of Irish in the home, in the community, in the education system, in the business sector and in the public sector.
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The Kerry Education and Training Board were appointed as the primary organisation in developing the Language Plan, at a public meeting last year.
They are working with an Advisory Committee, with representatives from a wide range of organisations and groups in Tralee.
Kerry ETB will be working with the people of Tralee, from now until February 2020, gathering opinions and suggestions, and carrying out research on questions regarding the use of Irish in Tralee. They will be focusing on the following areas:
1. Education
2. Young People
3. Sport
4. The Business Sector
5. Public Services
6. The Arts
7. The Community
They hope to include measures in the Plan which fulfil three primary aims: (i) create opportunities for people to improve their Irish language ability; (ii) create opportunities for people with Irish to use it in their daily lives and; (iii) increase the visibility of Irish in the town.
On his visit, the Minister explained the various ways in which the state is supporting language planning efforts both in Gaeltacht areas and outside the Gaeltacht.
He stated that he was delighted that Kerry ETB was leading this project that he hopes everyone can get involved in promoting and using Irish in Tralee. Additional information on the Tralee Language Plan is available at www.tralilegaeilge.ie
THE Parents Council of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí will present ‘A Christmas Cookery Demonstration’ by chef Mark Doe at The Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee on Wednesday, November 27, at 8.00pm.
In addition to the cookery demonstration there will be a door raffle, spot prizes and a raffle for the various meal courses prepared by Mark.
The funds raised will be used to support activities for the students. All parents are welcome, especially those of prospective students. Tickets are €10 and are available from students, the school office and at the reception desk at The Meadowlands Hotel.
Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí celebrated their annual Wellbeing Week from November 4-8 which saw a variety of events in the school with all year groups getting involved.
This year’s events focused on the five indicators of wellbeing (Active, Connected, Resilient, Aware and Responsible) with collaboration across all departments in the school getting involved in events.
Each day offered a timetable of activities that guaranteed something for everyone. The week began with study skills workshops for 3rd and 6th years with Ray Langan from ‘Raysethegame’, while 1st years worked with Eoin Burns breathing coach on Resilience.
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Shoutout (LGBTQI support group) provided workshops to the 3rd and 5th years on Tuesday while the Leaving Certs took time out of their studies to take part in Yoga classes.
Nicole Ryan spoke to 5th and 6th years delivering a workshop that aims to not only help the students learn more about substance misuse and about the impacts our choices have on the greater community.
Second year students took part in both mindfulness and yoga classes on Thursday. A Cake sale was run by the student’s council and wellbeing team to collect money for Southwest counselling services.
Friday finished with Zumba for 1st years as well as Resilience workshop for 5th years. A great week then to remind students to be good to themselves. Scroll down for photos…
ON Friday last, the students of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí joined in solidarity with their fellow students all over the world with a practical response to Greta Thunberg’s call for immediate and substantial action to deal with environmental degradation.
Teaming up with An Taisce on its greencoasts.org campaign, the Coiste Glas, a group of 21 environmentally conscious students, descended on Cockleshell beach in the Kerries, to tackle the regular build-up of beach litter there, collecting 13 large bags (160kg of rubbish) full in under an hour.
Interestingly, the most common items collected included plastic straws, cigarette butts and unsurprisingly, single-use plastic bottles.
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In another initiative of the Coiste Glas, the students of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí successfully took single-use plastic bottles out of circulation in the school replacing them with a biodegradable plastic bottle that lasts five years before itself being composted.
These re-useable and compostable plastic bottles are a sustainable solution to the conundrum of what to do with the re-useable plastic bottle itself once it reaches end-of-life.
Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí had to look to Dutch bicycle company Tacx to find such a product as no Irish company currently fills this gap in the market, budding eco-entrepreneurs take note!
THREE Kerry schools Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, Colaiste Íde and Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne can once again proudly fly the Gaelbhratach flag awarded to them recently in recognition of their work in promoting the Irish language.
Students accepted the flags at a presentation ceremony held in the Pavilion at Leopardstown Racecourse on Tuesday, May 21.
They were among some 500 pupils from 70 secondary schools nationwide, along with their teachers, whose marvellous achievements were marked at this celebratory occasion.
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They received the flags in recognition of their work in promoting the Irish language. The flags were presented to them by well- known TG4 weather presenter Caitlín Nic Aoidh.
The Gaelbhratach scheme is operated by Gael Linn in both primary and secondary schools throughout the country, with funding from Foras na Gaeilge and the Dept. of Education and Skills.
The event was co-hosted by renowned spoken-word artist, Ciara Ní É and TG4 presenter, Eoghan Ó Loideáin. The popular West Kerry group ‘Scannal’ entertained the hundreds of young people.
STUDENTS from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí enjoyed the annual awards and graduation night at Ballygarry House Hotel on Thursday night.
The special guest speakers for the evening were Fitness expert Joe O’Connor and Jonathan Deane, a past pupil of the school.
Awards were given out for sports, academic and cultural achievements with the Dalta na Bliana (Student of the Year) award going to Barra Ó Siochrú, the Gradam Rachel Greensymth to Jeaic Mac Craith and Dalta na hidirbhliana (TY) to Peadar Claro.
Gradaim Spóirt winners were Luka Ó Bhrosnacháin, Derbhla Ní Choirc, Paris Nic Cárthaigh and Graham Mac an Sithigh, Gradam na Gaeilge winner was Aoife Ní Chonaill while Gradam Cultúrtha winner was Eoin Mac Uilleagóid. Scroll down for photos…
THE annual Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Transition Year Fashion Show was another great success last night at The Rose Hotel.
It’s been going on now for several years as the students take to the catwalk in fashions from numerous local businesses.
Mentored by teacher Michelle D’Altúin, the students organise every aspect of the show themselves and go out sourcing the clothes from local boutiques, finding spot prizes and everything else involved in making it a great night.
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“It helps towards their organisational and leadership skills and we’re very grateful to The Rose Hotel, local businesses and all who helped the students,” said teacher Triona Uí Mhaolchatha.
Introduced by hosts Dearbha Ní Choirc and Billy de Staic, the students enjoyed taking to the runway in a range of different fashions, including their entrants in the Junk Kouture competition.
The funds collected from the fashion show are used to fund their own activities like school trips etc. Scroll down for photos…
KERRY Education and Training Board and the staff and students of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí were delighted to welcome the Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, to turn the sod for the site enabling works at the site of the Gaelcholaiste Chairraí’s Campas Nua in Ballymullen in Tralee on Thursday.
The Minister was warmly greeted by Príomhoide Ruairí Ó Cinnéide, Deputy Principal Conall Ó Cruadhlaoich, students, staff, parents and members of the Board of Management at the school.
Ruairí Ó Cinnéide, Principal of Gaelcholaiste Chirarraí thanked the Minister for his support of the project and thanked Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB), Kerry County Council, Lee Strand and the Mitchels Regeneration Group for their support in ensuring that Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí new campus is progressing at a steady pace. The new school is scheduled to be completed by winter of 2020.
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Ruairí Ó Cinnéide stated; “We are all very excited that Minister McHugh came to turn the sod for the site enabling works on our new campus today. The new campus will ensure that Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí’s students will, in the not too distant future, be moving into a new state of the art building.
“The new building is being built for 600 students and will feature 25 general classrooms, specialist classrooms, a library, multimedia labs, canteen and dining areas, a sports hall and the cultúrlann performance area.”
“This will add greatly to the excellent standard of teaching and learning that currently exist and will afford students a broader curriculum and with further educational opportunities. We hope the Minister will return in 18 months or so to officially open the new building”.
Director of Schools, Youth and Music, Ms. Ann O’Dwyer was delighted with the Minister presence on such an auspicious occasion as this.
“Today marks the beginning of a wonderful future for Education through the medium of Irish in Tralee. This school will serve the students of Tralee and its hinterland who wish to be educated through Irish in a modern campus focusing on 21st century teaching and learning.”
AROUND 360 pupils were joined by their teachers from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí and a few special guests for a 5k fun run to bring the school’s Seachtain na Gaeilge events to a close.
Well known Kerry comedian Bernard Casey and fitness guru Aidan O’Mahony were on hand to lend their support and they were blessed with the weather for the event. St. Patricks Day arrived a week early in the town park as many students and staff decked themselves in green.
Students, staff and the wider school community celebrated Seachtain na Gaeilge with a whole range of events all week to celebrate our Irish language and culture.
They worked tirelessly to organise a table quiz, zumba as gaeilge, a coffee morning, conversation circles, cake sale, workshops/special guest speakers and a talent show. Scroll down for photos…
THE all-singing, all-dancing Young Americans were in Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí during the week and on Thursday night they took to the stage with local students for a highly entertaining show at The Rose Hotel.
The Young Americans is a charitable organisation dedicated to the promotion of understanding and goodwill among people throughout the world through music, dance, performance, academic education, and cultural interaction among student members and their audiences. They do not endorse any political or religious agenda.
Deputy Principal, Conall Ó Cruadhlaioch said the Transition Year students have been working hard with them over the past few days and he has seen how positive the experience has been for them.
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“They got involved with the students, working with them in small groups and it’s amazing how they brought them together in such a short space of time to be ready for the performance.”
“You would connect what they do with promoting ‘Wellbeing’. The students have all had a positive experience over the past few days, but the quiet students have really come out of themselves and we’ve seen a huge growth in their confidence.”
There was a good crowd there too from families of the students and the host families who put up the Young Americans in their homes during the week really enjoyed the high energy show. Scroll down for photos…
AFTER the success of one of their entries last year, it’s no wonder the students at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí have gone all out again this year for the Junk Kouture competition.
‘Fear Leighis Na Mara Plaisteach’ from Lennox Beaujouan, Peadar Toibin and Seán Ó Loingsigh won the ‘Most Unusual Material Award’ for their design made of fish skins in the National final in April last year. If fact, last week the lads’ design featured on RTE’s Today show promoting the contest.
This year the school has no less than nine entries in the Bank of Ireland sponsored national contest, which encourages young designers in second level education to create striking couture designs and impressive works of wearable art from everyday junk that would normally find its way into the bin.
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Teacher at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, Deirdre Ní Síocháin, said there is always huge interest in the competition.
“They started working on the designs in September and it takes a lot of their time. Some students were up very late last night working on the designs for the photoshoot today. They absolutely love it and get a little obsessed with it,” said Deirdre.
Most of the entries are from TY students but this year there is an Under 14 competition so a few second years decided to enter.
They’ll have their work cut out to reach the final though. First they have to submit a photo of their entries online before judges whittle down finalists for the regional final to be held in Limerick.
The regional winners then go on to the national final in Dublin in April where Doireann Garrihy and Louis Walsh are among the judges. See some of the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí entries below…
AFTER CBS and Mercy Mounthawk students enjoyed their debs during the week, it was time for Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí students to have some fun on Saturday night.
Again, the venue was the Ballyroe Heights Hotel and 74 students enjoyed a three course meal with entertainment from DJ Big Jim. They were joined by 66 more partygoers for the ‘afters’.
It was a chance to have some fun before heading back to school on Monday and a very busy six months ahead! Scroll down for photos…
WITH the holidays in sight, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí kids got festive for a great cause last week.
Transition year class 4Y at the school in Moyderwell ran a small fundraiser for Bumbleance. They sold personalised Christmas candy canes at break time during the week to students.
Santa Claus then distributed the candy canes to the classrom on Friday adding to the school’s festive atmosphere.
€180 was raised for Bumbleance. Happy Christmas kids. The cheque was presented to a member of the Bumbleance team who was very grateful for the students efforts.
OVER 120 people braved the wind and heavy showers on Thursday night to support the Festive Cookery Evening by Chef Frank Moynihan, organised by the Parents Council of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí.
Taking place at The Meadowlands Hotel, Frank gave some great tips for creating a feast for Christmas. In addition to the cookery demonstration, there was a great hamper as a door raffle and a raffle for the various meal courses prepared by Frank.
The event was organised to financially support the work of the Parents Council, which is looking forward to the construction of the new school which is scheduled to open in September 2020. Scroll down for photos…
TWO Teams from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, Tralee have qualified for the national final of this year’s Feachtas Tráth na gCeist Boird.
Following a tough battle between 15 teams in the Regional Finals at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí on Thursday night, Gaelcholáiste emerged victorious.
Teams from Coláiste Íde Dingle, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne and St Brendan’s Killarney also participated on the night.
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Tomás Mac Muiris is a teacher at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí; “We are very proud of our two teams that won and we look forward to Feachtas National Finals which will be held in Dublin in March.”
It was a fantastic night, the students really enjoyed themselves and a great opportunity for the students to engage with other students through the medium of Irish.”
The winning teams were;
• Seosamh Claro, Faith Peskett, Mairéad Ní Fhaoláin and Saoirse Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh
• Caoimhe Ní Liatháin, Holly Nic Gabhann, Peadar Claro and Cian Ó Cianáin. Scroll down for photos…