History Trip to Strokestown Park House and Gardens

On March 1st second year students accompanied by their teachers  Ms McGuire, Ms Blake, Ms Kelly and Ms Gormley explored the parallel lives of Strokestown Park’s autocratic landlords and their tenants during the Irish famine at their new state-of-the-art Famine Museum situated in Strokestown Park House. Students also received an informative tour of Strokestown Park’s Georgian Palladian house where they gained insights into the opulent lifestyle of the Pakenham-Mahon family. The visit concluded with a relaxed stroll through Strokestown Park’s 6 acre walled garden and lush mature woodlands.

Chloe Connaughton, Alanna McCormack, Laura McSharry and Ivannah Looby from second year pictured outside the National Famine Museum while on a recent History trip to Strokestown Park House and Gardens.

Politics and Society Dail Visit

5th and 6th year Politics and Society students enjoyed a wonderful trip to Dublin on Thursday March 2nd. We visited the National Museum of Ireland where a veritable treasure trove of historical artefacts are on display. The bog bodies were of particular interest! Exhibitions from Early Christian Ireland and Ireland’s Gold gave us an opportunity to see the Derrynaflan Chalice, the Tara Brooch and the Broighter Hoard. Admission to the museum is free and highly recommended. 

From there, it was a visit next door to Dáil Éireann where we were welcomed by our host Denis Naughten TD. Leader’s Questions was in progress with contributions from Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Ivana Bacik, Pearse Doherty, Michael Fitzmaurice, Claire Kerrane and others. The Seanad was also in session discussing issues around autism.

We had a guided tour around the corridors of Leinster House, steeped in history and the centre of political decision making. It was interesting and enjoyable day for all Politics and Society students.

Fifth and Sixth year Politics and Society students pictured outside Leinster house with TD Denis Naughten on a recent trip to Dáil Eireann.

Fifth year Politics and Society student Lucia Fabbi at the Houses of the Oireachtas last week.

Anna Higgins and Eabha Kenny pictured during the recent Politics and Society trip to Dáil Eireann.

Chamber Choir Success at Wesley Music Interschools Music Festival

Congratulations to our chamber choir who travelled to Wesley College Dublin and partook in their annual Interschools Music Festival on Friday 3rd March.

Performing the SSA and SSAA competitions, the choir placed third in the four-part competition with their rendition of John Tavener’s The Lamb. Well done to choir director Ms Siofra Byrne and all choir members

Pictured are sixth year choir members Eadaoin Killian, Aisling MacRory, Amy Casey and Ciara Merriman.

European Youth Parliament

Congratulations to Ruth Cunningham in Transition Year who has been selected for the National Session of the European Youth Parliament which will be held over four days in Cork City from 12th-16th April. Through a wide range of non-formal and peer-led activities, the European Youth Parliament provides young people with spaces to develop opinions on current topics, build intercultural understanding and friendships across borders, as well as learn skills to positively shape the world around them. Ruth was selected from the Connacht delegation after three of our TY students attended a 3 day Youth Leadership Programme in Sligo. Many thanks to Ms McGuire for her assistance with the event. 

Pictured is Ruth Cunningham from TY who has been selected for the National Session of the European Youth Parliament.

LCVP Guest Speaker Session

Many thanks to local MUA (make up artist) Avril Greene who visited the school last week to give a talk to the fifth year LCVP students. Avril spoke about about areas such as the process of becoming self employed, the challenges and opportunities involved and the impact of social media on business. Thanks to LCVP teacher Mr David O’Reilly for organising the talk.

Picture is local MUA Avril Greene who attended as guest speaker last week as part of fifth year LCVP studies.

Connacht Rugby Senior Girls Champions 

The Convent of Mercy senior girls rugby team emerged victorious from their final in the Sportsground in Galway last  Wednesday, beating Mount St Michael Claremorris by 10 points(39-29)

It did seem like Claremorris might pull ahead  and take an early lead for the first half but the girls pulled back and put two tries on the board reducing Claremorris’s lead to 7 points.

The convent started the second half answering a try from Claremorris with a flurry of carries and combination of tries and conversions. The second half was full of end to end rugby with massive tackle being made on both sides and some fantastic line breaks and phase play by the Convent Although the Convent girls seemed to be closely trailed by Claremorris they made sure to hold out and keep a 10 point lead at the end to see out the match. 

Final score 39-29. Convent tries came from Shauna Walsh (3), Sarah Purcell (1), Roisin Maher (2) and Eabha Dowd(1). The girls gave a brilliantly entertaining performance, leaving the pitch deserved champions.  Thanks to their coaches Mícheal Glennon and Dave and Siobhan Purcell for their help throughout the year and all staff involved in all their games. A special thanks to the supporters who made the day such an enjoyable experience for the girls. Convent Panel: Megan Donohue, Ciara Dowd, Éabha Dowd, Darcey Farnon, Jennifer Flynn, Mary Hoare, Roisin Maher, Rachel McDonald, Jennifer Morris (vice captain), Anna Murray, Emily Murray, Katie O;Connor, Sarah Purcell (captain), Caoimhe Walsh, Eadaoin Walsh, Shauna Walsh.