On Tuesday
last, May 20th, Rang 6 embarked on a planned two nights educational,
cultural and fun packed trip to the West Kerry Gaeltacht in Ceann Trá. This
trip was made financially possible, thanks to the schools successful
application for once off funding, from the ‘Dún Laoi fund’. The promotion of
the Irish language and culture is the central aim of this fund. The class
teacher Caitríona Ní Riada, Principal Seán Ó Murchú, Learning Support Teacher
Cáit Mhic Inneirí and SNA Lysa Catell, accompanied the students on this trip.
On arriving
in Ceann Trá, the students were warmly greeted by ‘na mná tí’, whose
hospitality and culinary skills impressed one and all, throughout the trip.
Great fun and enjoyment was had at the ‘céilí beo ’ where the students quickly
mastered ‘Falla Luimní’, ‘Ionsaí na h-Ínse’. Droichead Átha Luain’ and ‘An
Dreoilín’!! The delight on their faces was palpable on seeing the teachers and
the SNA, throwing their hats in the ring and stepping it out in very fine
style!
Wednesday
was an action packed day, commencing with a guided bus tour around Slea Head.
The students were enthralled and captivated by the fantastic sights and the
historical knowledge imparted, on the lives of those who once occupied the
Great Blasket island. A visit to the Blasket Heritage Centre further
interactively explained the story of island life at the time.
After lunch,
an exploration of Dingle town ensued and with the sun high in the sky ‘’Kool
Scoops’ saw a queue outside its door, as the students queued up for their
favourite flavoured ice-cream cones! Onwards and upwards was the order of the
day and Mara Beo (Dingle Oceanworld) awaited the arrival of our enthusiastic
group. The children marvelled at the penguins’ manoeuvres and feasted their
eyes on them, as they were being fed their evening meal. Mara Beo hosts the
largest collection of sharks and needless to say, their sheer size and close
proximity evoked echoes of excitement inside the aquarium.
Following a
home cooked dinner by the ‘bean an tí’ in each of the three houses the children
set off for a night of excitement and sheer thrill at the climbing wall in
Baile Uí Shé. Once strapped and with helmets on and devoid of course of any
inhibitions, the students managed to scale soaring heights with great
determination and bravery. The great Houdini himself would have been challenged
in their midst!!
Sonorous
sounds were heard throughout the various houses that night as the students
slept soundly, exhausted yet exhilarated after an action packed and eventful
day J
On Thursday
morning Rang 6 bade farewell to ‘na mná tí’ and to Ceann Trá and boarded Butlers
