WEDNESDAY was D-Day for almost 4,000 students here in Kerry as they nervously sat down to take the first exams of the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate.
TraleeToday.ie was out and about yesterday afternoon to talk to some of the students as they finished English Paper 1, the traditional opener of the exams.
Thankfully on the whole, there seemed to be a positive vibe amongst the students who were undoubtedly relieved to have have one less exam to worry about, if not a little stressed about the impending exams.
We talked to a few of the students to get a feel for how they got on.
Osaz Odiahi, a Junior Certificate student from Mercy Mounthawk was cautiously optimistic about how it went, and was certainly not looking forward to Thursday.
“It went grand, it was good. The first question, the comprehension, was a bit tricky, but it went grand really. For English I wasn’t too scared now, but from tomorrow on, I’ll be very scared,” he said.
The boys from CBS, The Green were full of confidence after their first Leaving Certificate paper.
“It was easy really, there was no nerves. I was more tired than anything this morning, we’re not used to getting up this early,” said Leaving Certificate student Brendan Power, who was with Baylie Walsh and Anthony Lonergan, all from CBS, The Green.
“Yeah, it was grand, it was fine really. The paper was good. It was only Paper 1 so we didn’t have to learn much for it. I’ve a lot to learn for Paper 2 tomorrow,” said Presentation LC student Aneta Gaxha.
“It was just English today, so it was okay. It’s [English Paper 2] going to be alright. There was a little bit of nerves this morning,” were the words of Junior Certificate student Ania Drawc from Presentation as she relaxed in the Square after the first English paper.
So it all begins again today and for many it’ll be a long couple of weeks before they can enjoy the summer.
A FORMER Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí student has been commissioned by RTÉ for his second project with the national broadcaster in just under a year.
Shaun O’Connor, who is originally from Castleisland, along with his friend and writer Tadhg Hickey were delighted to get a series of weekly sketches as part of RTE’s ‘Comedy Bites’ campaign.
Shaun and Tadhg recently enjoyed huge success with their first show ‘(R)onanism’ (See here for previous story)
The show proved to be so popular that its time on RTE Player was extended on numerous occasions due to popular demand.
TraleeToday.ie had a look at the three-minute long first episode of his new sketch (simple, brilliantly awkward and very funny) entitled ‘Go With Ya’ which was shot, edited and uploaded all in a 24-hour period.
We got in touch with Shaun to talk about how this new opportunity came about and what his plans are the series.
“Ronanism did very well in terms of exposure. We got some very good people endorsing it, like Johnny Vegas watched it and enjoyed it, so did the Rubberbandits. It was great that we got such a good reception from it, so we followed up on that. We got got talking to the head of comedy at RTE, Eddie Doyle and he really liked our stuff too,” said Shaun.
“RTE were launching their ‘Comedy Bites’ series quite soon and Eddie just asked us would we be able to put in something for it, so we did. We’re frantically putting together a bunch of sketches and we’ll be putting stuff out every week for the next month I think.”
The premise of the show is supremely simple, but is very cleverly shot and written, in such a way that this writer can guarantee you will head back for a second watch before the day is out.
The first episode will be remaining online for the next 19 days, so Shaun and Tadhg are doing all they can on through Facebook and Twitter to promote the show as much as possible.
New details are to follow on the ‘Comedy Bites’ initiative but for now, you can sit back and enjoy watching the first episode which is now available to watch on RTE Player right now here.
IT was a momentous occasion for the students of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí on Thursday night in the Ballygarry House Hotel where the student awards ceremony took place.
Families of the students joined the management and staff of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to celebrate the students achievements. It was also a very special occasion for the 48 leaving cert students who graduated on the night.
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Special guests were CEO of Kerry ETB Colm Mac Giolla Bhuí, Karen Gearon and Seán De Buitléir who shared their life experiences and gave the students valuable advice for their future.
They each had powerful messages for the Leaving Cert class.
Past pupil Seán De Butléir encouraged the Leaving Cert pupils to follow their dreams. Colm Mac Giolla Bhuí emphasised the value of education, and it being a lifelong process, while assuring pupils,staff and parents that a new school building is top of his priorities.
Karen Gearon, one of the Dunnes Stores anti-apartheid strikers, spoke passionately about her experience. The audience was mesmerised as she recounted her journey from behind a till in Dunnes Stores to ultimately being seated among the dignitaries, monarchs and celebrities of the world at Nelson Mandela’s funeral.
She stressed that ordinary people can do great things when they stand up for what they believe to be right.
“They are a fine group of young men and women that have left a lasting impression on the teachers that taught them over the past 6 years. We will remember them fondly and we wish them well in their exams and every success in their future lives,” said Vice Principal Ruairí Ó Cinnéide.
The award winners were;
• Dalta na Bliana – Jennifer Ní Muircheartaigh
• Gradam – Rachel Greensmyth Séamus Ó Luanaigh
• Gradam Labhairt na Gaeilge – Caitlín Nic Giolla Gunna
• Gradam Spóirt (sinsir) – Eoin Ó Conaill & Aishling Ní Chonaill (sóisear) Brian Mac Amhlaoibh & Gráinne Ní Mhochóir
• Gradam Chultúir – Alannah Ní Chíosáin & Barra Ó Siochrú
TRANSITION Year students from Gaelcholaiste Chiarrai strutted their stuff in the newly opened Ashe Hotel on Wednesday night, to raise funds for their annual trip to Fenit for their foundation course in sailing.
This was the 13th year of the fashion show and the students wore clothes from local retailers in front of around 150 family and friends who turned up for the event.
One of the students, Grace Claro, wore one of her own creations made out of chicken wire, black plastic bags, bottle tops, old curtains and other items. She made the dress for the Junk Couture competition which was held earlier this year.
Both students and those present thoroughly enjoyed the show and it raised a lot of money to fund the students trips.
GAELCHOLÁISTE Chiarraí students travelled to Dublin last Thursday to receive an award from an Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.
The school was one of 40 to get the Gaelbhratach award at McKee Barracks. This award was initiated by Gael Linn and is given in recognition of students’ efforts to promote the Irish language.
The Coiste Gaeilge which consists of 13 students helped organise Irish events during the school year such as tráth na gCeist Boird, Biongó, céilí, treasure hunts, singing and music workshops, guest speakers etc. to promote the Irish language throughout the school.
STUDENTS of Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí had a chance to meet Colm Cooper after an Irish language film screening in the Mobile Cinema as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge.
Addressing the crowd at the cinemobile parked at the Fels Point Hotel, Colm said that “events like these are a great opportunity to give kids a chance to get out of school and watch films as gaeilge”.
“We screen films for 300 secondary school students a day,” said Sinéad Dhomhnaill of Seachtain Na Gaeilge. “It’s a great experience, the kids love it. It’s a chance for them to practise their cupla focal,” she added.
The Cinemobile has had a busy week with screenings in Belfast, Derry and Tullamore. On Friday it went west for the Dingle Film Fest.
The screening was one of a series of events being held by Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to mark the week.
It’s estimated that over 100,000 people have attended Seachtain na Gaeilge events so far this year, up from 2014’s 80,000 attendees. Seachtain na Gaeilge runs March 17. Information about events is available at snag.ie
TO mark World Book Day, the Writer in Residence with Kerry County Council, Máire Holmes, conducted a poetry writing session in Kerry County library with a class from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí on Thursday.
With the backing of Kerry County Council and the Arts Council, the area of creative writing both Irish and English is being promoted across the county.
This was the first session for new writer in residence Máire Holmes who found the quality of work produced by a selection of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí first year students to be of a high standard.
“There were 25 young students here this morning and now there are 25 new poems in Kerry today!” said Máire.
“The students expressed themselves so well in a remarkably short space of time, with some very memorable poems which I hope the general public will see in the future” said Máire.
“The cultural aspect of the country is very important and Kerry County Council and the Arts Council realise this. We are delighted and overwhelmed with the amount of corespondents from all over the county interested in the area of creative writing,” she said.
FOUR students from a local school here in town have won a place in a national table quiz competition that will be taking place on Tuesday, March 10 in Dublin.
Gaelcholáiste Ciarraí students Tadhg Mac Suibhne, Donagh Mac Uileagóid, Vince Ó Cathasaigh agus Michéal Ó Duinn recently won the ‘Munster Tráth na gCeist Boird Feachtas’.
As winners, the students will now go on to compete in the All-Ireland competitions of the Tráth na gCeist Boird Feachtas next week.
In total, 21 schools will compete in this competition, part of the national celebration of Seachtain Na Gaeilge.
The quiz is part of a series of events that the school is participating in as part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge. Events being held in the school include a bingo, a mobile cinema, a Céilí and a Sean Nós Workshop.
GAELCHOLÁISTE Chiarraí student, Tara Ní Dhuinín, won an amazing third All-Ireland championship in Dublin last week.
Tara, from Castlegregory, was one of six Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí acts to reach the All-Ireland of Scléip, the stage competition for All-Irish second level schools.
Tara had won the prestigious award twice at junior level in the Creative Dance category and this year won it at senior level.
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“Tara is a very talented dancer and we are delighted on her achievement,” says teacher Michelle D’Altúin.
The school also competed in Damhsa Sóisearach, Damhsa Grúpa, Dráma, Ceol and Comórtas Ilchinéalach categories in the All-Ireland which was held in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann headquarters, Amharclann an Clasac in Clontarf.
THE students at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí didn’t come away empty handed from the BT Young Scientists Exhibition in Dublin at the weekend.
The exhibition drew entries from 1,200 students and was held over four days last week in the capital.
Second year student, Laura Ní Eidhin, was ‘Highly Commended’ for her project on ‘Reducing carbon dioxide emissions and road deaths’.
The Gaelcholaiste’s other entry from Transition Year students, Ursula Ní Mhochóir, Lorraine De Nais and Janine Ní Chonchúir on ‘Using water energy buoys to reduce coastal erosion whilst generating electricity’ won a ‘Display Award’.
Other Kerry award winners were Emily Cahill of Presentation Secondary School in Milltown who came third in the Intermediate Social and Behavioural Science category and also won a special award from the Psychological Society of Ireland for her project on ‘An investigation into the influence of gender equality education on the attitudes of children towards gender roles in the workforce’.
Two groups from Killorglin Community College won Highly Commended and Special Awards for their projects.
STUDENTS from around the county are in Dublin this week to take part in the BT Young Scientists Exhibition at the RDS and Tralee schools are represented in three projects: two from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí and one from Presentation Secondary School.
The Gaelcholaiste’s entries focus on ‘Using water energy buoys to reduce coastal erosion whilst generating electricity’ and ‘Reducing carbon dioxide emissions and road deaths’.
Three Transition Year students Ursula Ní Mhochóir, Lorraine De Nais and Janine Ní Chonchúir have been working on their project on wave energy and coastal erosion since September.
“It’s a project on harnessing wave power while preventing coastal erosion,” said Ursula. “We know coastal erosion is a big problem, especially in Ballybunion where we saw the effects over a year, so we decided to have a look at it. We researched it a lot and found out about wave energy and decided to incorporate that into the project,” she said.
The girls made a model which will demonstrate their findings to judges at the exhibition.
Their fellow schoolmate, Laura Ni Eidhin, a second year student, will be bringing her project on ‘Reducing carbon dioxide emissions and road deaths’ to the exhibition.
She has already finished Runner-Up in the Best Project category for her ‘Sábhálacht ar ár mbothaire – Safety on our roads (A statistical analysis of driver knowledge)’ project at the Scifest at the ITT in May 2014.
She has now developed her project further for the Young Scientists exhibition.
“Since we started going to the Young Scientists exhibition we’d normally have about two projects each year,” said science teacher, Elaine Ní Dheargáin. “We’ve been highly commended one year and won a display award a few years ago, so there’s a good science tradition in the school,” she said.
Over in Presentation Secondary, Transtition Year student, Ciara Begley, was a late entry into the exhibition.
“Ciara spent a lot of time over Christmas on the project as she got a late call-up on December 18,”said her science teacher, Kay O’Mahony.
“We’re thrilled she was called up, but it was short notice. We’ve had numerous entries in the exhibition over the years with one of our students, Emer Jones, winning the overall prize in 2008,” she said.
Ciara’s project ‘Does Physical Training Cause Injury’ explores how injuries occur by overtraining and not warming up correctly while coming to recommendations on how to help avoid these injuries.
“It’s mainly about how not warming up correctly, or overtraining, results in injuries,” Ciara said. “I interviewed physical trainers about it and did research into the subject over Christmas. I found 53% of women received ligament injuries by not warming up properly,” she said.
Among her recommendations are that trainers should record players injuries and how they happened and that all GAA trainers should be sent on courses in the latest developments in physical training and on how to do proper warm-ups and warm-downs to prevent injuries.
The BT Young Scientist Exhibition starts today and continues until Saturday. Best of luck to all Kerry students.
THE Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí girls senior basketball team won the South West Regionals in Division C for the third year in a row last week.
They played two matches on the day (December 9). The semi-final was played against Colaiste Mhuire in which they were in the lead throughout, the whole squad contributing with great effort.
The second match of the day which was the final was played against Gaelcholaiste Luimní.
It was a very close match from start to finish, when at half-time it was anyone’s game leaving all involved at the edges of their seats. But the Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí girls prevailed, with great leadership conveyed by Aishling O’Connell and they took home the trophy 39-35.
A CRISP winter’s afternoon saw two past students teams battle it out in the grounds of Na Gaeil as part of the 25 year celebrations for Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí.
Under the watchful management of Eddie Murphy and Dónal Ó Ruanaidh, the two sides battled it out.
The two teams were neck and neck throughout resulting in a draw, which was a fitting result.
Past students travelled from near and far to take part in the game. Antóin Ó Cearúil who also attended the dinner celebrations in Ballyroe last weekend said it was a great way to finish the year and reflect on his time in Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí.
The teams were supported by staff and family alike. Celebrations continued afterwards in the clubhouse.
A míle buíochas to all who supported the event on the day especially Seán de Paor and Na Gaeil for their generous sponsorship.
“I was delighted how well the day went, I think it says a lot about the school that we managed to field two teams today of past students some of whom graduated as far back as 1997, said Dónal Ó Ruanaidh teacher, past pupil and organiser of event.
“People were more than happy to come along and support the event which is a testament to the school also,” he said.
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.
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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.
THIS weekend is a biggie! Christmas officially kicks off, a Liverpool legend is in town and there’s great goodies up for grabs in the KDYS.
FRIDAY
1. Kop This…
We’re very excited about this here in TraleeToday! Tonight, one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players will visit the Brandon Hotel for a charity night being held by the Kerry Liverpool Supporters Club.
On the night, Barnes, will do an interview which will last between 30 and 40 minutes, then there will be a break and a chance for Reds fans to get a photo with one of their idols. The second part of the show will be a Q&A with the audience.
There will be a raffle and an auction also on the night.
Tickets are €20 (from Leo Byrne, call 087-2374993) with all proceeds, after costs, going towards the Tralee branch of the Irish Kidney Association. Doors open 7.30pm, John will be onstage at 8.30pm.
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2. Bazaar Amount Of Prizes
St John’s Parish annual bazaar starts tonight where there is a world of prizes to be won.
The bazaar, which runs until Sunday in the KDYS Denny Street, is a vital funds generator for the parish and has been running now for 63 years.
Over the three days, hampers and goods which have been kindly donated by local businesses and the public will be up for grabs with Walter Lyons and Mike O’Donnell acting as MCs.
Get down to the town centre for a great afternoon’s entertainment as Christmas is officially kicked off.
At 2pm the CH Chemists parade will make it’s way through the town and this will be followed by the Rose of Tralee herself, Maria Walsh, turning on the Christmas lights.
Bring the kids for some great fun with the ‘Frozen’ characters, Minnie and Mickey and Santa himself, who can be visited in CH Chemists’ Santaland.
4. Gaelcholáiste Fun
A football match between past pupils of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí will be held in the Na Gaeil GAA pitch at 3pm as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations. It could be good craic, especially if you went to the school, to see old pals do battle.
Sunday
5. Shop, shop, shop!
Ok, you had fun yesterday in town, now things gets serious. Just 25 shopping days left so get to town and get some of the arduous retail labour over and done with.
THERE was great celebrations in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday as Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí marked its 25th anniversary.
Current and former staff, as well as past pupils many more people associated with the school, attended the dinner where the illustrious history of the school was reflected on and celebrated.
“Tonight we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our school,” explained Principal Austin Ó Seachnasaigh at the hotel, just prior to the event.
“It is the culmination of six months work and we are very happy to welcome founders of the school from 1989, the teachers from back then, past pupils, parents and members of the board of management. We’re looking forward to a fabulous night,” he said.
The Principal expained the genesis of the school.
“The school was founded by Seán Ó Loingsigh, Seán Ó Domhnall, Padriag MacFhearghusa and Paul Lucey. They were among the group from Conradh Na Gaeilge that started a campaign to have second level education through Irish, as a follow on from Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn. They were also involved the foundation of that school in the 1970s,” said Austin.
“We’re very fortunate to have Eamonn Fitzmaurice, the current Kerry manager and a former pupil of the school, here tonight, and Paul Lucey has brought the Bishop Moynihan Cup here as Dara Ó Luing and Fearghal Mac Conmara are members of the Austin Stacks team,” said Austin.
Judging by the quote below from the school’s Facebook page posted yesterday, it’s safe to say the night went well!
“Bhí an-oíche againn san Ballyroe Heights Hotel aréir. Bhí craic, ceol agus caint ó thráthóna go maidin. Míle buíochas do gach duine a fhreastal air.”
GAELCHOLÁISTE Chiarraí is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and a night of celebration will be held in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday the 21st of November to mark the milestone.
The event will commence at 6:30pm with a mulled wine reception followed by dinner at 7:30pm. Music will begin at 9:30 pm with the band ‘Celebration’ and then a disco.
Tickets are available from the school office at a price of €50 for the full night from 6:30 pm and €15 to attend from 9:30 pm (limited availability).
The night is open to all past students, parents and teachers as well as current parents and teachers.
It’s an opportunity to commemorate the growth of Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí over the past 25 years and a chance for all who have been a part of that to get together and mark the occasion with a party.
On the afternoon of November 21, the school will be open to the public from 1:30 pm until 3pm. Past students are especially welcome to call in for a cup of tea and have a look at the changes in the Gaelcholáiste since their time at school.
Continuing the celebrations, a football match will take place at Na Gaeil pitch in Tralee at 3pm on Saturday November 29. Past students of leaving cert classes of odd years will play against past students of leaving cert classes of even years. Refreshments will be available in the clubhouse following the game.
The school Facebook page (here) currently has lots of old photographs up that may be of interest to past students!
Transition Year Student, Aoife De Bhailís, describes the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Students visit to Netherlands, Germany and Belgium last month…
ON Friday, October 17, at the ungodly hour of 2am, the alarm clocks of Gaelcholáiste students and teachers alike began to ring.
After months of counting down, hastily packing and looking forward to, the day had finally arrived. Making sure nothing was left behind and passports were in hand, we met at our bus by school and began our first journey to Cork airport.
Attempts to sleep were first dismissed by the excitement levels, but by the time we boarded the Aer Lingus flight most of us were ready to crash and slept soundly to Schiphol Airport.
We arrived, albeit a little dazed, to a bright and buzzing Amsterdam. Complemented by the russet colours of autumn, the red brick buildings stunned us and we got the chance to enjoy a lot of the main sights of the city via canal on a boat trip.
After some food and souvenir shopping, we made our way to the Nemo Museum, a renowned science centre which had different interactive floors to cater to different ages and we spent a good while here ‘oohing and aahing’ at what was on offer.
Day two started with an interesting trip round the Valkenburg caves, made during WWII in case a nuclear bomb should drop, where afterwards we went to the local toboggan run which was great fun especially as the sun shone down on us in abundance.
After finishing, we headed to the beautiful city of Maastricht, where we relaxed and shopped before returning to Valkenburg where we did some laser tag in a new set of caves which everyone enjoyed.
On our third day we ventured into nearby Germany to Phantasialand, one of Europe’s biggest theme parks.
Here we braved rides like the ‘black mamba’, where its array of stomach churning loops and screws left us feeling nauseous but at the same time hungry for more!
After satisfying our roller coaster habit, we headed back to Holland and ended the evening bowling. On our final day we drove down to Brussels.
Here we finished up our shopping and got the chance to have a tour round the EU parliament which was a fantastic opportunity, then with time running out, we finished up with a tour round the nearby parlamentarium.
All in all we had a brilliant time filled with laughs and good memories and who knows some familiar faces might be seen on the next upcoming tour.
GAELCHOLAISTE Chiarraí organised a Transiton Year Sports Day Trí Ghaeilge last week.
The sun shone at the Na Gaeil pitch, on October 1 with students from the five schools who took part in activities ranging from sack and wheelbarrow racing to the poc fada and even a bit of mini-golf.
Bhí lá iontach ag daltaí Idirbhliana áitiúla ar an gCéadaoin, an chéad lá de Mheán Fómhair. D’eagraigh múinteoirí de chuid Ghaelcholáiste Chiarraí lá spóirt, trí Ghaeilge, dos na h-idirbhlianta agus bhí mic léinn cúig scoile i láthair ar an lá: An Fhaiche, Cnoc an tSeabhaic, Baile an Mhuilinn, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne agus Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí.
Cuireadh an bhéim ar spraoi agus rannpháirtíocht i dtimpeallacht Gaeilge. Dob é an Máistir Ó Ruanaidh a d’eagraigh imeachtaí an lae le comórtais éagsúla gach aon rud ó rásaíocht na mbarraí rotha go’n poc fada agus lúth-chleasaíocht.
Bhí an Máistir Bairéad agus Bean D’Altúin cabhrú leis agus, dar ndóigh, luigh múinteoirí na scoileanna eile isteach ar a ndualgaisí le fonn freisin. Bhí an-lá ag gach éinne.
LEGENDARY broadcaster Micheál O Muircheartaigh gave a talk to Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí students on Tuesday as part of the school’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
TG4 also visited the school to interview students, while their campaign for the Gaelbhratach was also launched by Micheál at the Fels Point Hotel where he gave a talk to the 316 students of the school about the importance of the language.
The Gaelbhratach is an award that gives schools recognition for the use and promotion of Irish in schools.
The students aim to get this flag/Gaelbhratach by the end of the school year. The coiste Gaeilge/group of students have been elected to promote this campaign by organising activities.
LAST Thursday, Gaelcholáiste’s newly formed transition year, as well as our teachers, Iníon Ní Dheargáin and Iníon Ní Laocha, decided to start the year by taking a venture into the wild and heading off to Killarney to hike over Torc Mountain.
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (well maybe not that bushy-tailed…or bright-eyed for that matter), we rounded ourselves up at 9 in school to catch our bus.
Although we had been told beforehand to have our raincoats packed, one look out the window told us otherwise – the sun was quite literally ‘ag scoilteadh na gcloch’.
On arrival, we began our expedition with sunshine that seemed to have got confused with the season change on our backs.
Although the climb was a difficult one, it was also very scenic. Being able to eat our lunch at the top, overlooking the lakes of Killarney was pretty spectacular and well worth the weary feet.
As we finished our descent we were greeted by Torc Waterfall where we were able to rest on level ground for a while and appreciate our view.
We then caught our bus and made the short trip to Muckross House where we spent our remaining time in Killarney relaxing in the gardens and chatting about our day.
It was a great way to kick off the year and has left us eager to see what else we’ll get up to in TY, something tells me it won’t be the last time hiking boots are donned.
Scroll down for group photos from the school trip…