15/03/2016

Proclamation Day

The school held a ceremony at 12 noon today to celebrate Proclamation Day. A large crowd of parents,grandparents and others from the town came to join in the celebration.The guests of honour were Kevin Barry, Corporal Darren Foley and Corporal Bobby Rooney. Kevin Barry is a namesake of his famous uncle Kevin Barry,who at the age of eighteen became the first republican prisoner executed after the 1916 leaders. Corporal Foley and Rooney are both past pupils of the school.

The ceremony began with a short talk from Kevin Barry in which he read part of a letter written by a priest who was with his uncle the night before he was executed.He also told the audience of his pride in his famous relation.

Kevin speaks to the crowd

Kevin Barry with Corporal Rooney and Corporal Foley

All listen to the speech.

Next a selection of children along with Corporal Foley from 6th. class to Junior Infants read the entire 1916 Proclamation.

Irishmen and Irishwomen – –

Having organised and trained—–

We declare the right of the Irish people—–

The Irish Republic is entitled to —–

Until our arms—–

We place the cause of the Irish Republic—-

Signed on behalf of the Provisional Government

The names of the signatories were then read out.

Thomas J Clarke

Sean Mac Diarmada

 

Thomas MacDonagh

Eamonn Ceannt

Joseph Plunkett

 

The children in fifth and sixth class had also written their own proclamation and next this was read out by two representatives from the class,

 

Class Proclamation part 1

Class Proclamation part 2

After this came a very important part of the ceremony when the Irish flag was flown on a flagpole over the school for the very first time.Thanks to Catherine Mallee of the Bull McCabe Bar who sponsored the flagpole.

 

Step 1

Step 2

Almost there

A proud moment as all stand to attention for the Tricolour.

All facing the flag.

Children and adults face the flag.

The Junior Classes .

Younger children fly the flag.

Young and old face the flag.

After a heartfelt round of applause for the raising of the flag the pupils took over with a selection of tunes and songs associated with the fight for Irish freedom.

The Dawning of the Day

The Foggy Dew

God Save Ireland.

The songs and tunes finished up with the school pupils and the adults present facing the Irish flag and singing Amhrán na bhFiann

Amhrán na bhFiann

At this point a special ceremony was held for the children in the Infants and First class and their parents when Kevin Barry unveiled the school copy of the 1916 Proclamation in the school foyer.

Standing in front of The Proclamation

Kevin Barry unveils The Proclamation

Children and adults applaud.

After this all adjourned to the school hall to view projects created by the children and enjoy refreshments created by the Parent’s Association

The GPO

The Irish Republic

All about the Rising

The women of 1916

The Signatories

Republican Jailbreakers

The Fighting at The Shelbourne Hotel

The GPO

Lots of information.

1916-2016

24/09/2015

 

Defence Forces Present Flag

All the children and staff of the school along with many parents assembled this morning in the school hall for the presentation of our national flag.The flag was presented as part of the preparations for commemorating 1916.The older classes had been busy decorating the walls of the hall with artwork and information displays remembering the 1916 Proclamation,the seven signatories and the tricolour.Meanwhile the younger classes were busy making flags to wave during the ceremony.There was great excitement when Sergeant Larry Heavens and Trooper Jessica Slevin arrived in the hall dressed in full ceremonial uniform.The two soldiers told the audience about the 1916 Proclamation and then the proclamation was read out to all by Sergeant Heavens and sixth class pupil James Whelan.

Next the children were told about the proper protocol for flying our national flag and then came the proud moment when sixth class pupil Kyle Donovan accepted the flag on behalf of the school.This was followed by a rousing rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann sung by all and accompanied by Ms. Moloney’s band of musicians.Sergeant Heavens and Trooper Slevin then went around the hall answering a wide variety of questions about the flag and about army life.