Junior Camogie team fall just short of All Ireland glory. Congratulations to our junior camogie team who fell just short of an All Ireland title by virtue of a 7 point to 5 defeat by Loreto College, Kilkenny in a thrilling final played at the Ragg near Thurles on Saturday last. The girls passion, commitment and never say die attitude kept the result in the balance until the final whistle 4 minutes into injury time. Everyone involved with this team and the whole school community are immensely proud of the achievements of this team. The panel and their coach Miss Harty were honoured at a special whole school assembly on Monday afternoon.
On Saturday next we are expecting a mass exodus over the bridge of Portumna to the Ragg camogie field - which is just past Borrisoleigh on the main Thurles rd for the Al Ireland Junior "A" camogie final where we take on Loretto Kilkenny. Our girls are hoping to go one further this year and bring a first ever All Ireland title to our school. we wish the team and menotors the very best of luck on the day and urge as many people as possible to get behind our team. Eolas - Fri. March 23rd Junior Camogie Team Seek All Ireland Glory
Tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. our Junior Camogie team take on Loretto, Kilkenny in the All Ireland ‘A’ Final. The bus will collect the team at 11.30am The unprecedented success of Camogie in Portumna Community School should not be taken for granted. Both Junior and Senior Connacht titles have been won in abundance in recent years. Indeed it has been a rare occurrence in recent times for the school to fail to win either a Junior or Senior Connacht title. Tomorrow afternoon we will hopefully take the final step and claim a historic first All Ireland trophy. Needless to say support for an event like this is crucial so we urge as many as possible to make the short trip to the Ragg for the game which starts at 2pm. We also ask that you make yourself heard at the game and give the girls the support they deserve. Directions: Drom an Inch GAA pitch (The Ragg) is situated just outside Borrisoleigh on the main Nenagh-Thurles road, total distance from Portumna is approx 35 miles. Good luck girls!!
Win A Digital Camera
Details of an exciting new school based photography competition will be distributed to all students next week where the lucky winner will receive a Fuji 4.1 megapixel Camera with accessories worth almost €100. The theme of the competition will be ‘People and Places’ – a selection of the winning entries will be used to update the section on the local area on the school website. We are deeply indebted to Sheila and Brendan Hoary of ‘Picture This’, Portumna, who are donating this fabulous prize. A special brochure with full details on how to enter will be distributed during tutor class next week. With the clock changing this weekend and the weather hopefully improving it is the perfect time to look around your own locality with a view to finding that perfect image.
M. Molamphy
Trocaire 24 Hr. Fast There has been, yet again this year, a magnificent response to the Trocaire fund-raiser. To date, with less than half the cards and money returned, we have just reached the € 3,000 mark. We had hoped to have all returns by today, however, if you could bring them all back on Monday that will be great. Well done to all concerned and Thanks a Million for all your effort. Again, just to remind everybody, that the cards need to be returned with the sponsorship.
Easter Liturgies 2007 Next week each class will have an opportunity to come to Suaimhneas for our Easter Liturgies in preparation for the great Festive Season
Croagh Patrick
We are finding it difficult to find a date that suits everyone for our Leaving Cert hike up the Reek. If we cannot find a suitable date we may have to find an alternative ‘plan B’. All suggestions taken on board!!
Fr. Abe.
Cancer Info Service – expert help just a phone call away. Homecare nurses – bringing care into the community. Night nursing – sharing the caring with families. Oncology liaison nurses – helping people to cope with cancer. Education for cancer nurses – training the professionals.
Careers – Open Days 27th – College of Amenity Horticulture. 28th – Killester College & Warrenstown Horticultural College. 29th – Clonakilty Agricultural College. Na Calai Community Development Project would like to invite you to their AGM on Tuesday, 27th March, at 8 pm in the Day Care Centre, Portumna. New members are welcome.
ASIST Training in Portumna
A two day programme known as ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is being planned. ASIST helps train people to know what to say and do if they are concerned that somebody might be thinking about suicide. It will be held in the Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna on Mon. 26th and Tue. 27th March. The workshop runs from 9 am to 5 pm both days. If you would like more information please contact Mary O'Sullivan, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, HSE West, Tel 091 548360.
Portumna Golf Club 9 Hole & 18 Hole Junior Competition on Wednesday, 4th April, 2007. Start between 10 am – 11 am. Cost: €3 – 18 Hole. €2 – 9 Hole. Missing Cat Missing Since Tuesday, 20th March, a Female Ginger Cat from Oldthort (Tynagh road). Anyone with information please call 090 9741773. Cancer Care West Fundraising Night In aid of Cancer Care West will take place on Sat. 31st March, in the Temperance Hall, Loughrea. 7 live acts will take to the main stage and Disco sessions will be in separate disco room with DJ ‘Mischief’. Doors open at 8 pm and tickets are only €5 –available at the door.
1st Year Soccer Blitz
The LCA1 students are organising a Soccer Blitz for all First Years on Thursday next, 29th March. The blitz is part of an Enterprise Task for the LCA1s. Please note: All players must have proper gear, including shin guards, to take part.
Girls Soccer Our Junior Girls soccer panel will travel to Birr on Tuesday for a game against Birr C.S. at 11 am. Please Note: the Senior Girls soccer match against Birr next Wednesday has been postponed to April 25th as TYs will be on work experience. Fr. Abe.
Mini Marathon
Girls, get your Entry Forms in before the 1st of April or you risk disappointment on our ‘run for fun’ day. Entry forms in Saturday and Thursday’s Evening Herald, but do hurry as there were no Evening Heralds available in town late this Thursday evening.
Calling all Parents of Third Year Students ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is on in ‘The Taibhdhearc’, Galway next week from Tuesday, 27th until Saturday, 31st, March at 8.00 pm. Do bring your son/daughter to a live performance of their Junior Cert Play. Admission €12 students, €15 Adults. Box Office number: 091 563600. R. O’Brien
Healthy Eating - Breakfast
The 1st year S.P.H.E. group held a Healthy Eating Breakfast morning in the Home Economics room today. It was a most enjoyable and educational task. Oisin Royston won the honour of Best Pancake Maker with his very own secret recipe!! Well done to all. Ms. Cunniffe.
5th Yr. L.C.V.P.
Ms. Cahalan’s Fifth Year LCVP class visited Dryform Ltd., Bridge Road, Portumna, on Tuesday morning. The company produces steel-framed houses. A very interesting tour of the plant was given by the Production Manager. Many thanks to the Management and Staff of Dryform Ltd. for facilitating the visit.
Dates for your Diary: (24th – 30th March)
School Website: www.portumnacs.com Email: info@portumnacs.com Vol. 7 Issue 25 – 23rd March 2007 Eolas - Fri. March 16th St. Patrick Imagine a young man of 16 years, full of life, intelligence and the hopes of youth. Then imagine that you are that young man living in 5th century Britain. Try to capture your fear as you are taken prisoner by fierce, marauding Gaels from the island of Ireland. The Romans called it ‘Hibernia’ – they imagined it to be cold, Wintry and forbidding. You too have this feeling about Ireland; you too would be afraid to go there. Let your mind be filled with fear as these terrible foreigners sweep you away with many other young people – boys and girls – to the island of ‘Hibernia’. Then imagine being a slave tending sheep and goats on a bleak mountainside. Here is St. Patrick in his own words from his book, ‘The Confession’, which he wrote as an old man: "I am Patrick, a sinner, the most unlearned of men, the lowliest of all the faithful. My father was Calpornius, son of the priest Potitus. I was taken captive when I was 16 years of age. I was taken into captivity to Ireland with many thousands of people. The Lord God showed concern for my weakness, and pity for my youth and ignorance; he watched over me before I got to know him and before I was able to distinguish good from evil. In fact, he protected me and comforted me as a father would a son. When I had come to Ireland I tended herds every day and I used to pray many times each day. More and more my love for God began to increase. Even in times of snow or frost or rain I would rise before dawn to pray. It was there one night I saw a vision of a man called Victor, who appeared to have come from Ireland with an unlimited number of letters and he gave me one of them and I read the opening words which were ‘The voice of the Irish’, we ask you, boy, come and walk once more amongst us." Thank God he did!
Trocaire 24 Hr. Fast There has been a tremendous response so far to the Trocaire campaign. Many cards with substantial sponsorship have been returned already. It would be fantastic if all the cards and money could be returned before Friday, 23rd March. Please be mindful of the fact that all cards must be returned, whether you managed to get sponsorship or not. Well done and thanks to everyone who took part.
Easter Liturgies 2007 Each class will be invited to Suaimhneas during the week beginning March 26th – 30th in preparation for the great Easter Festival. Fr. Abe.
1st Yr Hurling Championship
Portumna C.S. 8-13 Pres., Athenry 2-9. The First Year Hurlers continued their Championship campaign with a superb win over Presentation College, Athenry in Tynagh. Portumna set the pace from the start with Shane Moloney opening the scoring with a brilliantly taken point from play. Portumna maintained the pressure throughout the game resisting the effort and speed of the Athenry forwards. Superb performances were displayed by Shane Moloney in forwards, Padraic Breheny in midfield, Niall O’Meara and James McEvoy in defence.
Panel: M. Starr, S. Moloney, J. Blake, P. Breheny, B. Fahy, K. Farragher, G. Fogarty, P. Hodgins, P. Killeen, M. Lambe, J. McEvoy, N. O’Meara, O. Royston, C. Treacy, M. Walsh, N. Whelan, C. O’Meara, M. Briscoe, C. Corcoran, C. Casey, J. Whelan. R. O Tuairisg.
Art Trip to Limerick On Monday the Leaving Cert Art class went on a visit out to the Hunt museum and King John’s Castle. We arrived in Limerick at 10.30 a.m. and after a quick break we headed to the Hunt Museum where we were given a guided tour and got to see both historical artefacts as well as famous art works by Da Vinci, Picasso and Yeats. From there we visited King John’s Castle & Interpretative Centre. we learned about the history and were then allowed to explore the castle ourselves. A good day was had by all as we gathered much information for our Art History and Appreciation course sections. Nicola Nevin.
Gurteen Visit On Wednesday (14th), the Leaving Cert Agricultural Science class travelled to Gurteen Agricultural College on a field trip as part of their practical Leaving Cert work. We would like to thank the college authorities for their hospitality and for affording their time and facilities so generously for our benefit.
Mothering Sunday – 18th Most countries observe Mother’s Day but different countries celebrate it on various days of the year because the day has a number of different origins. E.g. In the United States, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May and many countries have copied this concept. Mothering Sunday, commonly called "Mothers' Day" in the U.K. and Ireland, has no direct connection to the American practice. Here it falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent and is believed to have originated from the 16th Century Christian practice of visiting one's mother church annually, which meant that most mothers would be reunited with their children on this day. Many of England's poor worked as servants for the wealthy and as most jobs were located far from their homes, the servants would live at the houses of their employers. On Mothering Sunday the servants would have the day off and were encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers. Its principle purpose now is celebration and thanks for mothers. So Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers!!
Careers – Open Days
20th – Pallaskenry Agricultural College. 21st – Gurteen Agricultural College. 22nd – Ballyhaise Ag. College. Na Calai Community Development Project would like to invite you to their AGM on Tuesday, 27th March, at 8 pm in the Day Care Centre, Portumna. New members are welcome.
ASIST Training in Portumna
A four night series of information workshops was held in Portumna in October 2006 to look at the issue of suicide prevention. These were organised by the Portumna Health Forum (Na Calaí CDP). Following on from this, a two day programme known as ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is now being planned. ASIST helps train people to know what to say and do if they are concerned that somebody might be thinking about suicide. It will be held in the Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna on Mon. 26th and Tue. 27th March. The workshop runs from 9 am to 5 pm both days. Places are limited. If you would like more information please contact Mary O'Sullivan, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, HSE West, Tel 091 548360.
Reuse - Recycle Don’t forget the Nationwide drive by the Jack & Jill Children’s foundation to re-cycle over half a million old and unused phones. All you have to do: Bring the phone (any make & model - without the SIM card) into school, put it in the special Jack & Jill Collection bag and place in the box. Many thanks to those who have already donated their old TVs to the school. For those who haven’t heard we hope to put TVs and video/DVD players into as many classrooms as possible, in the most environmentally friendly way possible. If you have recently upgraded such equipment and have an item which you have no further use for we would be more than happy to take them from you. If you would like to arrange collection please phone the school.
Fundraiser Ms. Cunniffe’s 1st year Tutor group held a very successful cake sale and collection on Thursday (15th) in aid of Cancer Care West raising €200. The Prefects also collected during Tutor classes during the week. The students’ contribution totalling €554 will go towards the sponsored cycle in aid of this worthy cause that Mr. Conwell will be taking part. A group will cycle from Ennis to Sligo along the Western Rail Corridor route on Saturday, 31st March.
Italian Visit On Thursday (16th) the Transition Year class hosted a group from Lyceo Scientifico which is a school in Parma, Italy. This school is one of our cluster schools for European Studies. The T.Y. students were busy on various committees organising and planning the day for the past four weeks. With the help of Mrs. Conroy, the class organised an Irish language morning. Each student gave a speech in Irish and then translated the speech into English for our Italian visitors. Paula Conroy, Edmund Burke and Shannon Larkin provided Irish music to enhance the Irish Language section. The next part of the day involved teaching the Italian contingent five Irish dances and we were amazed how quickly they learned them. Mrs. C. Burke organised this aspect of the proceedings with the help of T.Y. students. The students then had lunch and socialised with their visitors in the Shannon Oaks Hotel. A committee consisting of Aoife Conway, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Sinead Reddan and Kate O’Meara had the conference room in the Hotel decorated with European flags to give an extra ambience to the occasion. After lunch Ceara Bergin, Shane Tully and Aidan Hough brought the group on a tour of the Castle and provided excellent commentary on it’s history. Jake Mulraney organised Volleyball in the gym. This was a very good match with our Italian visitors winning out in a hard fought battle. Alan Killeen, Martin Dolphin, Brian Walsh and Ronan Royston then treated our visitors to a first class display of the art of hurling. Many of our visitors demonstrated that they could learn the skills of hurling/Camogie as quickly as they learned the Irish dances. Email addresses were exchanged before saying goodbye to our visitors. Kym Hoary provided a beautiful collage of photographs as a project to mark the visit of the Italians. Many thanks to the entire class who were on so many committees to make the day a success. The students demonstrated team work and slick organisation and showed our visitors the importance we attach to our own culture, the Irish language, dance and our national sports. J. Coughlan.
Manners are life skills. They give young people an advantage. By learning and using manners, young people become more confident. They are also more comfortable when they know how to get along with others.
"Please & Thank-You are always important to all ages, all people and all occasions. Never leave an event without saying thank you. Always acknowledge an act of kindness. No excuses, just do it."
Dates for your Diary: (17th – 23rd March)
School Website: www.portumnacs.com Email: info@portumnacs.com Vol. 7 Issue 24 – 16th March 2007 Junior Camogie Portumna
C.S. 1-6
St. Caimin’s C.S., Shannon 0-7 Our Juniors
qualified for their second All-Ireland ‘A’ Final in-a-row with this hard fought
win on Saturday
last. Played in Tynagh in ideal conditions
the girls started strongly, and aided by the breeze, they led by 1-6 to 0-2 at half-time. Tara Rutledge pointed three frees and contributed another 1-1
from play. Niamh McClearn and Amanda Lynch
struck two fine pints from distance. Shannon
raised their game in the second half and backed by the strengthening breeze, they
gradually reduced the deficit. They were made
to work hard for their scores by a very determined Portumna defence. Edel Cunningham came closest to scoring but her
effort only found the side netting. It was
‘backs to the wall’ towards the end but the girls showed great determination in
deservedly qualifying to meet Loretto, Kilkenny in the Final on Saturday, 24th March. Congratulations girls.
Welsh
Rugby Visitors The Junior Rugby Squad completed a Last Saturday, from the whistle, there
was some excellent attacking play from the Portumna forwards. An opportunity came for Portumna to drive the
opposition over their own line where Seamus McDonagh touched the ball down for a try. Five minutes before the half time
whistle, a loose ball was kicked on and chased by John Breheny, who scored our second try
in the corner to put Portumna 10-0 up at half time. In the 2nd half the
opposition piled on the pressure and it wasn’t long before they scored 3 tries
leaving the score 19-10 to Swansea with only 10 minutes to go. A quick break by Christopher Starr off a move from
the training pitch resulted in an excellent individual try.
This was converted by Frank Lillis who went on to split the posts twice more with
penalty kicks to leave the final score Portumna C.S. 23 to Gowerton Comp. 19. It was an excellent performance by all
involved and a superb game to watch.
Panel: S. McDonagh, B. Gordon,
D. Grady, G. Horan, C. Leahy, N. Finnegan, R. Lagana, C. O’Meara, F. Lillis, R.
Royston, M. Dervan, J. Breheny, P. Donoghue, B. Dolphin, C. Starr, J.
O’Halloran. Recycle
Your Old TV Many thanks to those who have already donated their old TVs to the school. For those who haven’t heard we launched a
drive to put televisions, video/DVD players into as many classrooms as possible in the
school, in the most environmentally friendly (and cost effective!) way possible. Our Friends of
the Earth Group who meet weekly at lunchtime are managing this project and
are inviting anyone with surplus equipment (in working order) to donate it to the school,
where we can assure you it will be put to very good use.
We reckon there are plenty of good televisions out there as a result of people
upgrading and rather than have it recycled we are inviting you to put it to much better
use. In discussions we have had with the local County
Council’s recycling facility we have been told that many televisions in good working
order are being sent for recycling. So if you have recently upgraded such equipment and
have an item which you have no further use for we would be more than happy to take them
from you. If you would like to arrange collection please phone the school and we will
contact you to make the necessary arrangements. Fair
Trade Guarantees a Better deal for Third World Producers To
mark International
Fair Trade Fortnight a display of Fair Trade Products
was held in the Social Area today – all products, including chocolate, biscuits,
coffee, tea, fruit juices, etc. were given as prizes for the winners
of a ‘Fair Trade’ Quiz. Many thanks
to O’Mearas Supervalu, Portumna, for donating these goods and to Ian Killilea in
O’Mearas for being so helpful. Well done
to all the second year students for making this happen. You
can make a difference!! Look
out for the Fair Trade logo when shopping.
Lockers:
Students
please keep your lockers closed
& locked
at all times– don’t forget that any rented books lost or damaged will have to be
paid for in full. Reminder:
Students don’t forget to bring your Journal with you when going to the office
to sign in or out – it has to be stamped ‘Late’ or ‘Permission to
Leave’. Careers –
Open Days 14th
– University College Dublin. 16th
– Carlow Institute of Further Education. Na Calai Community Development Project would
like to invite you to their AGM on Tuesday, 27th March, at 8 pm in the Day Care Centre,
Portumna. Contact (090) 9741887 if you would
like information about the project. New
members are always welcome. Give Blood: The
Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be in attendance at the Shannon Oaks Hotel on 14th
March from 3 – 4.45 pm and 7 – 9.30 pm. Please make an effort to give blood. 1st
Yr. Hurling Championship
Match to
be played next week against Presentation College, Athenry.
Date and venue to be decided. Old
Mobile Phones
Don’t forget the Nationwide
drive by the Jack & Jill Children’s foundation (www.jackandjill.ie) to re-cycle
over half a million old and unused phones. All
you have to do: Bring the phone plus
accessory (any make & model - without the SIM card) into school, put it in the special
Jack & Jill Collection bag and More Dates to Note: Wed. 21st @ 8 p.m. : Information session for First Year Parents on subject choice. Fri., 30th :
Staff planning half day. Code of
conduct review. School closes at 1.25 p.m.
for Easter Holidays. Mon. 16th April : School re-opens for last term.
Athletics Well done to Julie
Larkin and Damien Larkin for The money raised
will go towards the cost of ‘hoodies’ for the School Athletic Club. A special thank you to Mrs. Kathleen Mannion for
her donation of €30 which was Changes to Training: Training for Track
& Field next week after school on Monday and
Wednesday. L. O’Sullivan Sowing Seeds During our
LCA1 Horticulture class on Tuesday we went over to An Ghairdin to sow some seeds. Everyone took part and Kieran, the gardener,
helped us with the various methods. During
our visit we sowed some Thyme, Cress, Rocket and Chives.
We will all go back in a few weeks to look at the seedlings in the tunnel and take
some photos showing their progress. Alison
Mannion, Emer Hobbins & Lukasz Sobolak “Don’t evaluate your life in terms of
achievements, trivial or monumental, along the way...
Instead, wake up and appreciate everything you encounter along the path. Enjoy the flowers that are there for your
pleasure. Tune in to the sunrise, the little
children, the laughter, the rain, and the birds. Drink
it all in … there is no way to happiness; happiness
is the way.”
Dates for your Diary: (10th – 16th
March) · Mon. 12th – 6th
Yr Art class Tour – Tulla & Limerick – leaving at 9.20 am. · Wed. 14th – 6th
yr Agricultural Science Class field trip to Gurteen College at 9.30 am. · Thurs. 15th –
Parent Teacher Meeting for 5th yrs. and LCA1 at 4.15 pm. · Fri. 16th –
Staff Planning - half day. School closes at
1.25 pm. School Website: www.portumnacs.com Email: info@portumnacs.com
Second year metalwork students are currently putting the finishing touches to their table lamp or candlestick project. Our photo shows Christopher Gohery putting the finishing touches to his lamp made with recycled engine parts and brass rods. Help us put a TV and video/DVD player in each classroom.
This week we are launching a drive to put the above equipment into each classroom in the school, in the most environmentally friendly (and cost effective!) way possible. Our Friends of the Earth Group who meet weekly at lunchtime are managing this project and are inviting anyone with surplus equipment (in working order) to donate it to the school, where we can assure you it will be put to very good use. We reckon there are plenty of good televisions out there as a result of people upgrading and rather than have it recycled we are inviting you to put it to much better use. So if you have suitable items we would be more than happy to take them from you. If you would like to arrange collection please phone the school and we will contact you to make the necessary arrangements. Minister’s Visit
On Tuesday (6th) Mr. Noel Treacy T.D. and Minister of European Affairs visited our Transition Year students to mark the occasion of winning our second Euroscola prize in succession which is a three day trip to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Minister Treacy paid a tribute to the students who had won the award and praised the subject European Studies for giving the students the opportunity of embracing the culture of Europe at first hand. The Minister went on to say how joining the E.U. had transformed all facets of our lives socially, culturally, educationally and economically. He also paid a tribute to our school for providing the innovative and worthwhile courses. The Minister then paid a tribute to Ms. Claire Burke and Mr. Proinnsias Loughnane for teaching these courses. Ms. Aoife Ruane, the National Co-ordinator, was also in attendance. Aoife told the meeting that we were the only school to win Euroscola two years running, one other school in Northern Ireland achieved this but not in successive years. Ms. Ruane gave an account of the trip to Strasbourg and outlined the itinerary and indicated the scale of the win with so many schools competing for this award. Mr. Sean O’Dwyer, Chairman of the Board of Management and former Principal of the school, said that T.Y. was started in 1986 and it was now 21 years old. He praised the breath and depth of the programme on offer and the opportunities that it gave the students to advantage themselves educationally. James Coughlan said that European Studies was at the core of many of the modules and subjects in the T.Y. programme and this provided a cross-curricular theme. E.U. studies also provided a raft of Educational competitions that students have taken up: 1. Speak Out Forum, 2. Leargas –Projects on Streetscapes, 3. Euroscola, 4. Graduate Online Quiz. Mr. Long, the principal, was M.C. for the occasion and he complimented the students and teachers for a unique achievement. The parents of the winners were also present at the function.
TY Students Visit RTE
TY Students in the News (Studio!) On Saturday last 15 Transition Year students spent a very informative and interesting day visiting the RTE studios in Dublin as guests of past student and current RTE News2Day editor Ailbhe Conneely. In advance of the visit the group were expecting just to see the outdoor set of Fair City and maybe one or two other things of interest. Little did they know that Ailbhe, in conjunction with a number of her colleagues, had organized an absolutely amazing day where they got to see just about every part of the campus. On arrival, a small number of students were taken to watch the live transmission of the 1 pm news on television. This involved being in the actual studio getting a running commentary from the director as the programme was being aired. Next the full group was given a talk by one of the RTE cameramen, who came in on his day off to meet the students. ‘Winning Streak’ was next on the agenda and the Portumna Students made up the audience for the afternoon rehearsals and once again the RTE staff were amazing with the floor manager taking time to explain the workings of the programme. After this it was off to the indoor set of ‘Fair City’ and yet another surprise as rehearsals were in progress which the group were allowed to watch for a few minutes – before having photos taken on the various sets. A quick visit to the ‘Tubridy Tonight’ studio followed on the way to meet with a news editor who was more than obliging by squeezing everyone in to the editing suite to explain the (rather complicated) process of editing a news report. As luck would have it – this studio is situated very close to the Sports Desk and with Eamon Horan on duty for the afternoon, Ailbhe duly obliged by inviting the popular presenter to meet the group. Finally, the highlight for some, everyone was taken into the Main News studio. Here one of our co-hosts for the afternoon, RTE director Theo, demonstrated how the main news programmes are broadcast. A number of students got the chance to sit in the studio and read the news on autocue while others sat in the control room and learned how the various camera angles are chosen. All in all this was a wonderful experience and we really cannot thank Ailbhe enough, not only for giving up her day off but for putting so much effort into ensuring such a valuable learning experience for all. Many thanks also to the other members of the RTE staff who were so generous with their time.
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