World Book Day
World Book Day was a great success at Ballagh NS with all classes taking part. We were delighted to meet such a great variety of characters!
Ballagh NS learns all about The Irish Potato Famine
The pupils from Third to Sixth class has compiled fantastic projects on the theme of the Gorta Mó or The Irish Potato Famine. They worked in groups to research online their projects in depth. They integrated their work across the curriculum including making Art modals of Strokestown House, a labourer’s cottage, lazy beds, a landlord’s house and a famine ship replica. They are busy learning famine ballads “The Fields of Athenry” and “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears”. The following are the project titles presented:
Group 1. Anthony & Ruairi – Strokestown House and the Irish Famine
Group 2. Michéal, James & Anna – The effects of the famine on Kilgefin Parish
Group 3. Jasmine & Emma – Evictions, Blight and the role of the Landlord in 1840’s & 1850’s Ireland
Group 4. Niamh, Jacob & Rebecca – Effects of the famine – population, emigration & coffin ships
Group 5. David, Emily & Tristan – The functions of workhouse & soup kitchens.
Group 6. Áine, Ava & Sophie – Dwelling types during the famine years
Dentist Visit
For the month of January, the Junior Room have been working on the theme “The Dentist” through Aistear. Last week dentist Dr. Eleanor Keaveney along with Eileen Mannion visited the Junior Room. The displayed sugar boards and talked to the children about the various amounts of sugar in different foods. The children were then shown how to brush their teeth correctly. Each child received their own pack with a toothbrush and toothpaste and all children are now going to make a great effort to brush their teeth for 2 minutes in the morning and again for 2 minutes before bedtime. This was a great informative visit and we would like to say a big thank you to Eleanor & Eileen for their visit.
Harvest Time in Ballagh School
The children reaped the benefits of their hard work when they harvested their crop of vegetables recently. As you can see, the school garden was a very successful ventue.
Tag Rugby Blitz
The children from 3rd to 6th class had a great day of tag rugby in Creggs Rugby Club recently.
Jasmine’s Winning Art
At a recent Enterprise Awareness workshop in the school, all the children took part in an art competition to design artwork and a slogan. Congratulations to Jasmine Gibbons, who had the winning entry and her artwork will now represent Ballagh school in the next stage of the competition.
The Vikings come to Ballagh School
We would like to sincerely thank Roscommon County Council who provided funding for a visit from Heritage in Schools Expert, David Swift. Dave Swift has been working in Ireland as a field-archaeologist since 1999. As founder of Living History & Re-enactment group ‘Claíomh’ he has been involved in Irish historic recreation work for more than 20 years taking part in events in Iceland, Italy, England, Scotland, Denmark and Sweden as well as in Ireland. Dave often gives lectures and demonstrations at the National Museum of Ireland, the Royal Irish Academy, OPW heritage sites, Irish Walled Towns Network Festivals, Third Level Institutions and Local Historical Societies. He has several television and film credits working variously as armourer, historical advisor, fight choreographer, props supplier, wardrobe assistant and actor. Recent projects compose a diverse range including ‘GPO Witness History’, ‘Medieval Dead’ (Series 3, Episode 4: ‘Gallowglass: Warlords Of Ireland’) and supplying uniforms to TG4’s 1916 comedy ‘Wrecking The Rising’.
During Dave’s school visit to Ballagh National School, Irish archaeology was animated for the children as they experienced an engaging demonstration on domestic and military life during a given historical period as chosen by the school. Approximately 100 artefacts were displayed in the classroom turning the school into a veritable museum for the day! These items ranged from swords and Viking jewellery to a range of medieval helmets. We choose the historical time frame of Viking Age Ireland: from the first recorded raid to the arrival of the Normans
During the session students were introduced to the fashions, military attire, weaponry, coinage and folklore/beliefs of the chosen historical period. Children got to inspect this unique collection of original and/or faithfully reproduced artefacts with their own hands. All reconstructions presented were thoroughly researched and are made to the highest international museum-grade standards – there is no skimping on quality! Traditional crafts and materials examined by the students include those derived of metal, leather, wood, glass, ceramic, antler, bone and horn.
A lively historical narrative was given throughout the session explaining the major characters, social conditions and customs of the time.
School Garden
On our return to school we were delighted to see how our school garden had blossemed over the summer months. We hope everybody enjoyed tasting the beetroot, onion and lettuce, and we will soon have carrots, parsnips and turnips to harvest
Táin March 2018
Last Friday was a very exciting day for pupils from 3rd to 6th class as they travelled to Rathcroghan Heritage Centre to greet Queen Medb and her warriors as they set out on their long walk across the country. Earlier in the week the children took part in a workshop with Heritage Expert Chris, where they learned all about the ancient saga, of Queen Medb of Connacht’s desire to possess the Great Brown Bull of Cooley, Donn Cuailnge. In memory of this legendary event, an annual Táin March takes place, starting at Rathcroghan. The boys and girls looked spectacular in their costumes and the history of the Táin March came alive for them for an afternoon in Tulsk.
WOW Day at Ballagh NS
The sun shone on us as we walked to school on National WOW Day. What a great way to start the day.