Trip to Leinster House
	11 October, 2007

	I and my class went on a trip to the Dail. It was so much fun. Well we had to be in school be 8.45 to get the bus and we arrived there at 9.50 but they wouldn't let us in until 10.20 so we waited at a little park up from the Dail, ate some food and took some pictures. After a little break we were allowed in. When we were going in we had to put our bags in a luggage cart, then we were brought upstairs to the chamber. We were watching from the public gallery. We weren't allowed make a sound because they could hear everything we said. We were there for ten minutes then there was a man showing us around and we saw a lot of paintings and statues. They were very nice. Then after our tour we went down to the waiting room to get some pencils. After that we went to this place called the Seanad. It was a bit boring there, but then we went to the café and got coke and a bar of chocolate. That was fun. Then John Curran came into the café and he was signing autographs and talking to us. We went outside and got a picture taken with John Curran. After the Dáil we went to St. Stevens Green and had lunch. We got some pictures taken as well. That was really fun. After that this was the last thing we did we went to the National Museum. Now that was very good, inside there were loads of weapons that were made years and years and years ago. They were really cool. There was a really really long boat and there was a boat that the Vikings made, upstairs there was a movie on. We watched a little bit of that then there were skeletons and they were scarey. So that was what we did for the day. We got the bus back to the school and went home!! Emma E
	I was at Leinster House today and it was great. First we took the bus so that we could get there. Then when we got there we were 15 mins early but we got to play in leaves. Chloe, Ellen and I had to go the toilet so we went with to Stephen's Green with Marian. It was 20 cent to use the toilet so then we were back with the class and now we are going in. First we went to the chamber and we heard everybody speak. After that we went to lots of different rooms and then we went into the bar where we had a coke and a snack bar. Then John Curran came up to us some of us and we got his autograph. Then we all got a photograph with John Curran. It was a great day but it's not over yet. We went to have some lunch and feed the ducks. Ryan put his foot into the water after Adam dared him to. Then we went to the Irish National Museum. We were allowed go around by ourselves. I went with Ellen, Ryan, Declan, Aisling, Chloe and Adam H. There was a boat about 4 ½ metres long. We saw some old clothes and some old shoes. Adam said he wanted to wear the same clothes and shoes as them. Then we went to see a short film in the Museum. After that we saw a couple more things and then we went home. On the way home we saw some big ships and the Viking splash. Thanks for a wonderful day! Hayleigh
	At ten to nine on Thursday morning we left for Leinster House. The traffic was ok. Everybody was very excited. When we got there we were a little bit early so we walked up and sat on this big statue of a man and there was a big leaf pile and we all jumped in it. Then it was time to go in. We walked in and put our bags on a gold trolley. Then we walked up the staircase and met are tour guide. His name was Dave and he was nice. He brought us into the Dáil and we sat down and stayed very quiet. Then the Ceann Comhairle came into the chamber. Then after that we went into the Seanad for a few minutes, then downstairs and got pencils. We went into the café and met the man of the day John Curran. He was nice and we all got his autograph and that was the Dáil over . Then it was off to the museum. We had a look around, it was cool, there were some old swords and jewellery, a Viking long boat and some people mummified that were found in the bog. Anyway that was our day out in town. Adam H
	Dear Mr John Curran, We learnt a lot of things on Thursday like that Constance Markievicz from 1868-1927 was first woman elected in Europe; and that the Dàil was built in 1745. There is also an obelisk out in the garden. And that Micheal Collins came to the Dàil in 1922 and was Minister for Finance. In the Seanad there are 43 senators. John A. Costello was famous for the 1798 rebellion. There is a flag from 1963 and that's called the "Fredericksburg flag". The Lobby ceiling is very high up but magnificent - the colours are gold and brown. Afterwards we went to the Museum. We saw a lot of skeletons and ancient coins. We also saw Viking boats, ancient jewellery, fur, leather clothing and how things are preserved. Well I've got a tin whistle lesson. Hope to see you again. Love, Emma J and all of 6th class.
	Dear Diary, Yesterday the whole class went into town. We arrived at Leinster House at 09:50am. Guess what? We were too early! So we went about five minutes down the road, all of a sudden we stopped. There was a huge pile of leaves in front of us. We all ran over and jumped into them. It was so much fun. We hung around to pass the time, then we went back to Leinster House. We walked in. Firstly we went to the Dáil chamber. It was huge. We watched the debate from up above (the public seats)! Then after about 15 minutes we stood and walked out into a gorgeous hallway. There was a big chandelier. Then we all met our tour guide Dave. He explained all about the lovely statues and paintings! The walls and carpets were both stunning. We continued to walk and climb up and down staircases, until we reached our next room. There was another debate about business. We stayed there for about 10 minutes. Then we went to the main lobby where our tour guide left us! We all went into a small waiting room. We got pencils with something written on them! "I was on a tour of Leinster House." Then a lovely lady came and took us to a small bar, where we had a drink and a chocolate bar. Then we got to meet John Curran. I got his autograph. Then we all went outside and got a picture with him. We all went to the park across the street. We had our lunch there and we even fed the ducks. Afterwards we went to the museum and we looked around and saw loads of artefacts and all sorts of things. Then we went to the souvenir shop in the museum. I bought a pen with lots of feathers on it - like a quill and I bought a really long rubbery bendy pencil. Unfortunately we had to get back on the bus and go home. We had had a really fun time but like all good things it had to come to an end! Clodagh
	I was at the Dáil. I loved the paintings and the details in the ceiling. The chandeliers were amazing. Leinster House is usually called the Dáil by Irish people. At first we were taken up a lot of stairs and our tour guide took us into the Dáil chambers. We were up above a live meeting. Pat Rabbitte, Brian Cowen {He is the minister of Finance} were there. We also saw the Ceann Comhairle. Then we went to the bar for the government and got John Curran's autograph. Then we went to the Stephen's Green for lunch. We all shared food. We also fed the ducks. Suddenly we went to a museum. That was terrific. Anyway who could have thought learning was so much fun?!!!!!! Morgan
	On Thursday the 11th of October, I visited Leinster House with my class. TD John Curran invited us. We arrived in Leinster House at 10:30 and up to the Dáil Chamber. Our class was up in public gallery. When up there we saw Enda Kenny, Brian Cowen and John Curran my favourite. In the Dáil chamber the Ceann Comhairle sits at the top of the room like a judge. When he comes in he says a prayer. We went into the entrance hall at the start of the tour. Leinster House is an elegant three storey building. It was completed in 1747 and was originally the home of the Duke of Leinster Fitzgerald. Paintings of Michael Collins and Cathel Brugha who helped found the Irish state in 1922. The Seanad chamber is where the 60 senators meet. It was originally a ballroom. Ryan
	Yesterday I went on a trip to Leinster House. When we got in we left our bags in the hall and went up three sets of stairs. We arrived outside the Dáil, we went in and we were told to be quiet. We saw lots of people, after that we went on a tour and got a pencil. Then we went to the St. Stephens Green and had some lunch and fed the ducks. There was one baby duck. After that we all went to a museum. We saw old money, rings and lots of other stuff and then we went to the gift shop. I bought a long rubber and then we got on the bus, we got back at the school around 2:30 Bridget
	On Thursday John Curran invited my class and I to Leinster House. The tour was brilliant, he told my class and I everything he knew about the house. There were chandeliers in nearly every room! We went into the Dáil Chamber and John Curran was there along with the Ceann Comhairle. My class and I were looking down at them. After the trip to Leinster House, we went to Stephens Green park to have lunch, we feed the ducks as well. We took some pictures outside of Leinster House and in Stephens Green park. Next we went to The National Museum. There were things about Science, Egypt and the Vikings. I picked up a phone and it had things about the Vikings or any other room we went into. I could pick up more phones that if I typed in my name it would give an explanation of what my name means. There was a long boat that the Vikings used. There was a gift shop for when we were going. It was a great trip. Thank you John. Aoife O
	"Bye mam" I said. "Bye Conor" my mam said. Yes I can't wait today is Thursday 11th of October, and my class and I are going to Leinster House! "Hi everyone" I said "Hi Conor" everyone said. Ok we're on the bus to Leinster House. I am sitting beside one of my best friends Emma Early [a.k.a Snurly]. "Yay, we have arrived" I shouted. My teacher Mr.Manning said we were too early so we waited for a while in a square where there was a statue and lots of leaves and trees! And we also took pictures!!!!!! Of each other!!! Then we finally got into Leinster House. The first thing we did was we went to the Dail chamber! We watched all the TD's. I saw John Curran, Enda Kenny and Brian Cowen! After that we met our tour guide Dave, he told us everything we needed to know. Then we went to the Seanad! And watched people talking! After that Dave showed us lots of paintings of past Taoiseachs. Next we went to the Lobby, which had a beautiful ceiling! Then we went into the waiting room where we got pencils! After that Jessica set off the alarm which was really funny!!!! Then we went to the restaurant where we got some coke and snack bars! [By this time we were kind of hyper]. After that this nice lady called Nicole let us meet JOHN CURRAN!!!!!!! And I got his autograph! I was "OMG I got his autograph" Then we left Leinster House and went to St. Stephen's Green to have our lunch! [I also brought some bread to feed the ducks]. We also took lots of photos there! Oh and Aisling fell and she thought she had broken her leg? [But it wasn't] After St. Stephen's Green we went to the National Museum, as you enter there is a gift shop and when you walk in there are loads of exhibits such as The Vikings, The Romans and The Ancient Egyptians. My favourite one was The Ancient Egyptians because there were loads of cases that had mummies in them, and there were lots of preserved bodies which was quite disgusting!! Oh and Aisling went over to this statue that she thought was real [but it was actually a security guard standing still] and she went to touch it but it moved and she jumped out of her skin which was really funny!!! And sadly our day is coming to an end 999 on the bus going home I still sat beside Emma Early [a.k.a. Snurly], and I got REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HYPER and I'm talking REALLY!!! HYPER!!! And that was my trip to the Leinster House, the National Museum and St. Stephens's Green. Conor
	I and my class went to Leinster House (Daíl Eireann). We left at about nine o'clock and arrived at about half nine. But we arrived about a hour an hour early. So we went up Kildare Street and we took a lot of photos and jumped in a pile of leaves. So time passed and it was almost time to start walking towards Leinster House. When we got inside we went into the Dáil chamber to watch the debates going on. When we left the chamber aguide showed and told us facts about the house like Constance Markievichz was the first women elected to Leinster House and it was built in 1745. Then later we went to a restaurant to get a bar and a drink. So overall it was a great privilege to be in Leinster House. Declan
	On Thursday 11/10/07 all of sixth class went to the Dáil. We had to be at the school before quarter to nine because the bus leaving at that time. It was about an hour and a half drive there but we were not allowed in until 20 past ten. So we ate some of our food at a statue. We all took pictures of the statue. By the time we finished taking pictures it was time to go into the Dáil. When we were going into the Dáil I saw people on hunger strike. I didn't know why but they must have had a good reason. The first thing we did was put our bags at the door and went up a huge stairs. Then we saw Brian Cowan in the Dáil Chamber and we watched a debate. After that a security guard showed us around the Dáil. He showed us mostly paintings. Then he brought us into another debate. Then we went into a small blue room and we got pencils and I got an Irish one. A few minutes later someone made an alarm go off and a security guard came and turned it off. Then we went to get something to eat and drink and I got an autograph from John Curran. Afterwards we had to go. Then we went to the park to finish our lunches. After that we went to the museum. There were Egyptians, Romans, Vikings and Celtics things. There was a gift shop but I didn't have any money. When we were going the workers were still on hunger strike. Rónán
	Yesterday I went with my class and teacher to Leinster House. We left at 8:45 and got there about 9:45. We were a little early so we waited at a statue till they were ready to take us. We went in at 10:30 and went up to the Dáìl. The Ceann Comhairle came in and said a prayer. Everyone had to stand, we watched them for about 15 minutes then we went on a tour. The guide told us about how this house was built because James Fitzsgerald lived in Kildare and he built the house so after every meeting in Dublin he didn't have to travel back to Kildare, how he had 19 children. The guide showed us pictures of the past taoisigh. Bertie Ahern wasn't there but will be when he retires. We went up to a room called the Seanad. It was like the Dáìl but not as big . After the tour we went to the café and they gave us a drink and a bar of chocolate. Then John Curran came up to us and we got pictures with him. Then we went to St.Stephen's green park and had lunch and some people fed the ducks. After lunch we walked back to the history museum where we went around for a bit, then we went to the museum shop and then back on the bus … Aisling
	Yesterday my class and I went on a school trip to Leinster House. We went in the Kildare Street entrance. We went in and left our bags in the trolley. Then we sat off on our journey. First we visited the Dáil chamber. Here I saw Pat Rabbitte, Mary Hannifin, John Curran (the man who invited us), Brian Cowen, and lots more. We didn't see Bertie Ahern or Mary Harney and a few others. Later we went into the Senate. The decoration on the roof was extraordinary! I kept on staring at it. Afterwards we went into the lobby and the ceiling was gorgeous. Lastly we went into the waiting room where we received our 'I was on a tour of Leinster House' pencils. We all talked to John Curran got our bags and then we left. Afterwards we went up to Stephens Green park and had our lunch. We took lots of pictures there. Afterwards we visited the National Museum of Ireland. It was very good and it was a very nice day. Thank You John Curran. Chlôe
	At about half eight on Thursday morning I and my friend Adam Hickey set off to school knowing in about two hours we would be looking around Leinster House while everyone else was in school. When we got to school there were 15 other students there. We got on the bus at ten to nine. Soon we were there. We stopped at a statue of a former mayor of Dublin where we played in the leaves, took pictures of each other and ate food. When we were finally outside the building we saw a statue of the first woman elected Constance Markievicz.We then went into a hall where we put our coats and bags on a trolley and went into the Dáil chamber where I saw John Curran, Enda Kenny and the Tánaiste Brian Cowan, didn't see Bertie Ahern or Mary Harney and I was later told they weren't there. We were told to stand up when the Ceann Comhairle came to say a prayer. We left the chamber and entered a hall where our tour guide Dave told us Leinster House was built in 1745 for Lord Leinster. We then went to the Seanad where we watched the senators talking. We left at 11o'clock and went into the restaurant where we were given a bottle of coke and a bar.We then met John Curran and everyone got an autograph off him. Finally we went into the hall and we saw pictures of Mary McAleese and others. We went to St. Stephen's Green, when we had our last bit of lunch. We went into the museum where we saw weapons, dead bodies, mummies, a boat and a video. Adam, Ryan and I wandered off and nearly got lost but we found our way back and when we were leaving Breifni bought me a Roman coin and Ryan bought Adam a warrior pencil. We then got on the bus home and I walked home and told my mom all about it. Edward
	On Thursday 11 of October we went to Leinster House. We went on the bus and I sat beside Aoife. We arrived at 9:45 but we were going in at 10:30.so we went down the road to a place with a lot of trees and a statue and a big pile of leaves so we ran over and started throwing the leaves at each other. Conor and Romina brought a camera and took lot of pictures. Finally we went in to Leinster House. First we went to the Dáil chamber, I thought a fight was starting but it didn't. Next we met our tour guide, Dave. He told us all about Leinster House and brought us around. Afterwards we went to an office and got pencils and Jessica set off an alarm. Next we went to the Dáil restaurant and got a drink and a bar and the people told us to be quiet. Then John Curran came in and we got his autograph. Then we went to St. Stephens Green and had lunch and we fed the ducks. The seagulls kept taking all the bread. Next we went to the museum. It was really cool, there was an exhibit on Vikings, ancient Egyptians and Celtic Ireland. But we had to go home. We went home on the bus and arrived at 2:30. I had a great time. Hannah
	Yesterday my class and I went on a tour of Leinster House. That is where all of the T. D. s ( Teachta Dáil ) meet to discuss the main issues about the country. Bertie Ahern is the Taoseach. That means he is in charge of nearly everyone there. We were all expecting to see him there but unfortunately we went on a Thursday and he only comes on a Tuesday and Wednesday. So we did not see him. But we did see the man who invited us John Curran. He lives directly across the road from my Auntie Pam Brown . We even got to see them in the Dáil chamber. Then after that we got a tour of the rest of the house by a worker named Dave. He showed us nearly all of the house. After the tour with Dave ended, we went to the park to feed the ducklings. And we took loads of pictures. We stayed there for about half an hour. Then after that we went to the museum where we saw loads of interesting things. And we saw a movie about 17th century Ireland, and after that I got a ring with Celtic designs. I saw a Viking longboat and then the bus came to collect us. Brian
	On the Thursday the 11th October we went to the Dáil. We spotted Brian Cowen the Tánaiste and minister for finance, John Curran, Enda Kenny and the Ceann Comhairle. The building was huge, its called Leinster House. The roofs were amazing they had different designs all original. The building was built in 1745. It was built by the Duke of Leinster. There were also paintings of all the previous Irish prime ministers. Most of the doors were security locked and the gardaí were guarding the gates. The doors were big and the windows were big. There was a big pillar outside in the back - it was to remember Michael Collins. There was also a statue to remember Queen Victoria's visit to Leinster House. There was a Seanad, there are sixty Senators and that's what my visit to Leinster House was like. We also went to the museum on the Leinster House grounds. There were Viking, Egyptian and Celtic exhibitions. There were axes, swords, stone weapons, mini caves and mini ships. Then we went to Saint Stephen's Green park where we fed the ducks. I gave them some chocolate and then we got on the bus and went back to the school and that's what our day was like. Stephen O'D
	It was Tuesday the 11th of October and I and my classmates just hopped on the bus and were heading out for a day at the Dáil. On the bus we all picked a partner for the day, I picked my friend Hannah. I and Hannah were so excited on the bus. I and a few of my friends began to play sweet and sour, to play you had to knock on the window and wave at people. If they waved back they were sweet, if they didn't wave they were sour. Finally we got there but it turned out we were 45 minutes early so we went up the road to this statue and took millions of photographs and jumped in a huge pile of leaves and had a bit to eat after we jumped in leaves. When we got to Leinster House we went straight to the Dáil chambers and looked at about 15 minutes of the meeting. Then we went on to meet our tour guide Dave. He told us about the history of the house and showed us a lot of paintings. We went to Saint Stephen's Green and had our lunch, we also got to feed the ducks. Aoife W
	The name of the building we went to see was Leinster House. The building was built in 1747 and the construction took 2 years. The government own the land on which Leinster house was built on and Leinster house was chosen because it was good for a dáil. Breifni
	On Thursday the 11th of October, I visited Leinster House with my class. TD John Curran invited us. We arrived in Leinster House at 10:30. First we went into the entrance hall at the start of the tour. Leinster House is an elegant three storey building. It was completed in 1747 and was originally the home of the Duke of Leinster Fitzgerald. We went up to the Dáil Chamber. Our class was up in public gallery. When up there we saw Enda Kenny, Brian Cowen and John Curran my favourite. In the Dáil chamber the Ceann Comhairle sits at the top of the room like a judge. When he comes in he says a prayer. We saw paintings of Michael Collins and Cathel Brugha who helped found the Irish state in 1922. The Seanad chamber is where the 60 senators meet. It was originally a ballroom. Ryan
	We were on our way to the Leinster House and it was going to be a long time before we got there so I and my friends started making jokes and talking. Around 10 o'clock we got there. Everyone was so excited and we were a bit early so we had some food in a park with a statue. I don't know who the statue was about but we had fun playing in the leaves. Finally we were allowed into the Leinster House. When we came in the corner door we had to put our bags away. The first thing we saw was a debate in the chamber room. John Curran waved up to us and Rebekah got really excited. Then we got a tour guide to show us some things like the pictures of the Dáil and Mary McAleese. The tour guide gave us pencils and I am using it right now. After we were finished in the Leinster House we went up to a huge park where we fed the ducks. But the only thing that was fed was seagulls which kept on eating all the food and my Moro. After the park we went into the museum to see lots of people who were killed in the bogs. Then we saw a movie about the Vikings. The Vikings were my favourite part of the museum. For thepast month of school we learnt about Jesus and God. In the museum there were scriptures of the three persons in God. In the Egyptian section there was a mummy room full of coffins. And that was the end of the tour of the Leinster House. Adam S
	Yesterday I went on a school trip with my class. Actually, it was more like three school trips, because we went to Leinster House, St.Stephen's Green and the museum of archaeology and history of Ireland. We were all very excited while we waited at the front gate of the school for the bus to arrive, well, I was actually nervous because my tour partner, Morgan hadn't arrived yet! I was looking and looking when I heard Rebekah's voice saying, "Leon, Morgan's here". I looked up, found her standing at the back of the line, and then told her to come up and stand beside me near the front of the line. The bus arrived and everyone started to walk to it. As Morgan and I walked in and got in our seats, we found it was a lovely bus. With velvet headrests, armrests, a compartment to put your bag into and very, very, very comfortable seats, oh and relaxing music, (for the start of the journey anyway) I felt like a movie star! We saw many buildings on the way, such as Trinity College, the National Museum of Ireland and more. Suddenly outside some building the bus stopped. My teacher Mr.Manning picked up the microphone and said "Please have all your belongings as we are not coming home on this bus". "Aww", I moaned to Morgan, "I liked this bus". We got out and walked to a big statue. Everyone started to run as soon as they saw, under a big tree, a massive pile of beautiful coloured, autumn leaves. Then we all dived and jumped straight into it, and then started burying each other and having leaf wars! We took loads of photos and ate some of our lunch for about 15 to 20 minutes and then we started to walk again. We walked into a sort of gazebo thing and through a sort of sensor thing. As we walked into a garden, I finally figured out, we were in Leinster House, with great, great, great excitement. We were asked to leave our bags on a trolley thing and then we walked upstairs into the Dail chamber. I picked my seat in the front row, right on front of the ceann comhairle's seat. We were very high up behind a glass or plastic window (I'm not sure)! About five minutes after we went in the Ceann Comhairle came out, so we stood up as he said a prayer and then we sat back down. Ten minutes into the debate, sort of thing, we left and walked around the house and were given some facts by our tour guide Dave. Then we went into the Seanad. I was looking at the beautiful ceiling more than the meeting! After Dave showed us some more facts, we went into the restaurant and were given a bottle of coke and a snack bar. While in the restaurant, we got John Curran's autograph, and then we walked into the waiting room and we were given pencils saying, "I visited Leinster House". While we were in the waiting room Jessica out of my class set off the alarm. You'd think she'd read the front of the thing saying, "Do not touch or alarm will sound!", so John Curran's secretary had to come in and stop the alarm! After that, we got our stuff back. We then walked to St.Stephen's Green, fed the ducks, ate the rest of our lunch and then we were walking again! We arrived at the national museum of archaeology and history. We were looking at things from ancient Ireland, Viking things and bog things. There was an exhibit of gold necklaces and bracelets, and one of skeletons of really, really, old men! After looking around the whole museum, we went to the shop by the main entrance. I bought a lion chain, a bookmark with my zodiac on it (I'm a leo) and an old Egyptian coin (I think). I'm not very good at history! We walked into the different bus and when we were on the bus everyone shouted, "Emma and Clodagh are still in the shop". So we waited on the bus until they got on and then we went home. We were driven back to the school and waited in our classroom until the school bell rang. It was a great school trip. Leon
	We got our bus from the school and guess what - it was on time. At 10:00am we arrived at Leinster House Gates. We had to wait outside until 10:30am.But Hayleigh, Chloe and I had to go to the toilet and guess what it was 20 cent to get into the toilet. When we got back we were allowed in. We got through the gate to drop our bags and off we went. We went to the chamber first and then to the restaurant for some coke and bar of chocolate. After that we went to Stephen's Green Park for some lunch. We all fed the ducks as well. We went back to the National Museum. Six people went on their own to have a ramble round and a security man told us you must be with your teacher at all times. At the end we all bought something and went home.That was the best day ever. Ellen
	I went to Leinster House last week. I went to the Dáil chamber, the Senate chamber, the lobby and the bar. Some not so nice statues were there. There were busts and there were nicely painted ceilings. For example the lobby had a golden ceiling and the senate had swirls and designs. The museum that I usually go to with da, I found that they had redecorated, but the room where the bows are was still there. My class and I went to Saint Stephen's Green and had lunch. Ryan threw a perfectly good pencil into the pond. I put this wrong we went to the park before we went to the museum, then we went home. Mike
	Dear Leinster House employees. Thank you for the field trip I found it interesting and the whole house was beautiful. My favourite part was at the Dáil chamber. Then after that we had a tour of the house. The paintings in the main hall and the lobby ceiling were beautiful. I didn't know that the offices were rooms before and that the woman shot a man in clear view of everyone and England didn't want to execute a woman, so they sentenced her to life in prison. The museum was very interesting as well even the body parts. I wonder if they were real. The Vikings were really interesting especially the movie. But a few statues were …. kind of freaky. Ancient Egypt that was interesting as well even the coffin. That is about all I can remember about the school tour. Sincerely Stephen C
	On Tuesday 9th 2007 I woke up same time same place. I got up brushed my hair did my teeth and walked to school .When I got in we were doing the normal boring maths. Then my principal came in and said we are going to Dáil Éireann. I was so exited. So we started learning about the Dáil and all the people who worked there. The next day my principal came in and started asking us questions about the Dáil. We knew everything. Finally the day came. We had to be in the school at 8.30am because the bus left at 8.45am. The bus came and we were on our way to the land of politics. When we got there we had to wait about 10mins to go in. When we did go in we had to put our bags and coats in a trolley. Then we were brought up several staircases to lead us to the Dáil chamber! We saw the Ceann Comhairle and John Curren and many more and before they started the debate the Ceann Comhairle said a prayer. After some of the debate we met our tour guide Dave. He showed us lots of portraits of old Taoisigh and told us a lot of facts about Leinster House such as Leinster House was built by Lord Leinster in 1745, it was also his home and he lived there with his wife and children. Soon after walking through hallways and down stairs we got to the Seanad. Like the Dáil chamber but much smaller. Then Dave our tour guide brought us to the bar where we got coke and some chocolate and we met John Curren and his secretary.She was very nice. Then we went to eat in Saint Stephen's Green. And let me tell you I saw the craziest ducks in the world. After about 5 minutes later we were headed to the museum of history. We saw skeletons and Viking jewellery plus we got to buy all sorts of cool things like furry pens, long bendy pencils and even very old money!!! It was a great day and a great learning experience for all my classmates and its all thanks to John Curren. Rebekah
	Dear Diary, Yesterday I went to Leinster house. It was very nice. But before I tell you about it I will explain it to you, when you start it becomes very complicated. We learned some things and they are: We learned about all the ministers and what they are in charge of. Also about the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the Tánaiste Brian Cowen, the three government parties: Fianna Fail, the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats. There are 166 people elected and we learned about John Curran. When we arrived at Dáil Eireann (Leinster House) we had to wait a while before going in, so we had some lunch in a little place where there was a big bunch of leaves and a statue. We sat on the side of the statue and we took loads of pictures of us together - it was really fun. So it was time to go in to watch the meeting. It was boring because I couldn't understand it, but after a little while we had to leave. We had a look at some of the paintings, and then we went into the Seanad where there was another meeting, but we didn't stay there for long and then we looked at more pictures. The tour was over so we went to the waiting room and we got pencils as a souvenir, next John Curran's assistant came in and brought us to the bar for a snack…. And just before that there was a emergency breathing system and my friend Jessica opened it and the alarm went off. Some thought it was funny and some didn't. After our snack John Curran came in and asked us some questions, and we got his autograph. After that we went to the museum. We saw loads of things to do with the Vikings, bog bodies and loads more…. And then we had to go. It was a brilliant day I did not want to go home. Romina
	Dear John Curran, I would like to thank you for inviting my class and I to the Dáil. I was very excited on the bus to the Dáil. But I was bored on my way to town but my friends taughtt me a game called sweet and sour. Here's how you play - you knock on the window and wave if they wave back they're sweet if they do not wave they're sour. That kept me amused all the way there. When we got there a bit early, we went up the road and there was a statue there and we were all taking pictures. There was also a lot of trees there. After a little while we left. That was sad but we all knew that we were going the Dáil so we didn't mind. When we were walking in we had to go through a scan machine. When we got inside the Dáil we had to be very quiet after we left our bags in the hall.Then we went inside the chamber and we saw a lot of important people. We also saw you, I think you saw us. Then we went to the Seanad. It has the most beautiful ceiling.We went into the lobby. That was my favourite part the ceiling was amazing.When the tour ended we all had to go in to a waiting room and we all got free pencils. My friend Jessica opened a box and an alarm went off. That was really funny. Then we went to the café. We got a bar and a drink there. My class went into one section and I and about four of my friends were all on a big sofa.Then we saw you talking to our teacher. Then we went to Saint Stephen's Green for lunch and we fed the ducks there. When we were finished we went to The National Museum of History. That was great fun. I also met my auntie working there in the gift shop. I got a pen there. It is in the shape of a pharaoh's head. But I think they should have some more things about animals. Sadly our day was coming to an end. Those are the reasons I wrote this letter. Yours truly The children of 6th class Holy Family National School Written by Molly
	Dear John Curran, Yesterday morning when I woke up the first thing I thought about was Leinster House. My Dad left me off at the Hardware and I ran up to the bus. I got there just in time because the teachers were just about to board it. My friends Lisa and Rebekah had kept a seat for me and I occupied it. It took us about an hour. When the bus driver left us off we walked down to a statue. There we ate our lunch. We walked down to The Dáil after taking photographs and jumping in the leaves. There were security guards at the entrance. We had to walk through metal detectors to get in. When we were inside the building the class put their bags in the hall. We were first given a tour guide and brought upstairs to the Chamber Room. We had to stand up while the Ceann Comhairle said a prayer in Irish and then translated it into English. We stayed there for a while and then proceeded to the Seanad passing lovely staircases and hallways. The roof of the Seanad was painted with different colours and images and had coving. The tour guide showed us different pictures of Taoiseachs and of the President Mary Mc Aleese. He told us information about them none of which I can remember. If you ask me I think my head is not big enough! I thought the most beautiful part of the building were the roofs and the walls. Near the end we were given a bar of chocolate and a bottle of Coca Cola in the café. We had our own lunch in St. Stephens Green. Some people tried to feed the ducks, but the seagulls kept eating the bread. We went soon after to the National History Museum. We saw things from Vikings, Egyptians, Celts and the Bronze Age. Also we saw human skeletons that were buried in the bog for hundreds of years. People bought souvenirs from the shop and then we went back to the school. I had a brilliant time. Thanks for inviting us to the Dáil. From Bláithin

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