CARNAUN NATIONAL SCHOOL Our Peace Tree On the first of May we bought a special tree to plant in our school ground. We planted this tree for Peace on this island-North and South. We hope that the Nationalists and Unionists see the Good Friday Peace Agreement as the only way forward to unite this country and that the freedom and the right of people to live side by side are respected.
We liked our last few years in Carnaun. It was easy for us to learn
because the teacher made the work interesting. We were a small class and
we found it very enjoyable. We learned a lot.
Marie, Marita, Orla, Catherine, Patrick, Shane,
and Stephen.
I like to learn History because of the way our teacher teaches us. We go on many enjoyable field trips and outings. We have a Norman keep just outside the wall of the school in Rabbitt’s land. We often have our History lessons there. Inside the keep was once a Hall-House with a dungeon. It was surrounded by a moat. We also studied about “Carnaun Castle” an outpost for the big Norman Castle of Athenry. We have many other interesting places in our area which date back to Pagan times. Some of them were places of Pagan Ritual. Others were dwelling places. We know of them as their names tell us about them. My town land Cahertymore means the place of a big stone ringfort about 6000 years old. Tober na bhFiann dates back to early times also. Sheeaun Park was once called Cnoc a’ tSíodhán and dates to pagan times also. Cussaun means pathway. It was Casán Liam Deois – called after a highwayman. Carnán was a stony place. Belleville, Castle Ellen and Castle Lambert are new names. Catherine
Anthony Raiftearaí was born in 1779 in Killadán near
Kiltimagh in county Mayo. When he was young he got the smallpox which blinded
him for life. He was illiterate. His boss frank Taffe sacked him because
he injured a favourite horse. He was left to roam the countryside as a
penniless poet who played music in pubs to make enough money to live on.
He spent a lot of time in this area. He lived during the penal laws and
so any bit of education he desired had to come from hedge schools from
which he learned Latin and Greek. During this era there were a lot of ribbon
boy and white boy attacks which disrupted the whole country His longest
poem was over 300 verses long and because he was illiterate he had learn
all these verses of by heart. My favourite story about Anthony Raiftearaí
is the story is about his death. On Christmas eve 1834 he was in Killeeneen
just outside Craughwell, and he said to the Cloonan family that on that
on this very day a year later he was going to die and sure enough a year
later on that night he passed away in Cloonan’s house. He was 54 years
old.
Marie
In history we do not use books but we learn a lot of local history.
This year we did some research about a highwayman called Liam Joyce.
His “Stomping Ground” was from the Cúinne Geal near Galway Airport
to Cussaun Cross. Cussaun Cross is very near our school and our house is
along that road. In Cahertymore where I live, Cahertymore means a big dwelling
in a stone ringfort. Across the road from us is the townland of Ballybackagh,
which means place of “hindrance”. It probably was if Joyce was around.
Stephen
I enjoy history and this year I did some research into my family
name. My cousin Shane and I were interested in finding out some information
on the Gilhooley name. We found out that our grandfather came from Leitrim
but as he is dead we wrote to his brothers wife whose name is Jane Gilhooley.
Patrick
One of our favourite subjects in school is History. I like local History. I researched my own locality. CastleLambert is named after Captain Giles Eyre Lambert. Castle Lambert was called Aughrim Park or (Good Hill Top Land) before it was called Castle Lambert. We live on the site of the “Big House” but nothing much remains today but the bell frame (the bell called the workers for and their meals). Part of the stone work was used to build my Grandmas house especially the chimneys. Part of the yard especially the stables and lofts where the workers families lived still remain today. Old cellars lie underground but are hidden. There is another Lambert “Big House” about two miles from us. This is famous for being the home of Elizabeth Lambert, Mother of Edward Carson founder of the Ulster Volunteers - "the start of trouble for many people in the North”. Marita
On the 12-3-98, we went on a field trip to Galway. We saw a part
of Galway we had never seen before. It was a nice way to learn. We saw
three aspects of Galway
Marie
This is my favourite history story. St Colmcille founded a monastery
in Derry and later when he went into exile he started another in Iona.
Orla Click here on TYSAXON
to get the 'full' story
Before Christmas we went to see the musical “The Wizard of Oz” in
the Presentation College, Athenry. We enjoyed the performance very
much. All the fourth year students took part. I thought the
costumes were very well made. Some of my friends took part.
My brother Michael was an Oz solider and was excellent. It was so
good that the 500 children in the audience stayed attentive and interested.
Some of the Carnaun Past pupils took part. It was the 13th musical.
Last year they put on a play called “Annie”. It lasted about two
and a half-hours. They had a raffle. It was the first time
I had gone to a musical in the Presentation College. When I am in
Presentation College I hope to take part in a musical. Afterwards
we went on a tour of Athenry. I like these school excursions.
We should have more of them.
I went with my Mum in to the Credit Union Quiz in the Presentation
College. A lot of schools had entered. Mary, Cathal, Michelle and I were
on a team. Michelle wrote down the answers. After 36 Questions we had a
break. When we had finished we had 22 points. Coldwood School won and the
Boy N.S. came second. I hope to be on the school quiz team again next year.
I had a great time and I would like to thank the Credit Union for sponsoring
it. Our teacher said it was very well run. Many children in our school
have accounts in the Athenry Branch.
We always wanted to sing in the church for Sunday Mass. During
the first term we got our chance. It was very different from singing in
school. We were looking down on the congregation and some people were looking
up at us. We were very excited but with Finbarr conducting and Rose playing
the organ we soon forgot our anxiety and excitement. We sang the hymns
that we learned in school and we enjoyed it very much. The priests, our
parents and many other people congratulated us and we hope to sing in church
again before long.
In Carnaun we can play any sport we like. This year soccer
is the favourite. While we have a big pitch we play soccer on the concrete
yard when it is raining. Stephen, Shane, Cathal, Eoin and Patrick played
for the Athenry Team which won the under 13 League and Cup. The final of
the Cup was played in Terryland Park, the home of Galway United. We also
play Gaelic Football and Hurling. We have a good basketball court.
Mostly the girls play Basketball. Stephan also plays for Galway town under
12’s team. Peter Gilhooley cut our pitch with his tractor lawnmower and
we would like to thank him and all the other parents who help with sport
in Carnaun.
In September I asked our principal Mr. Finbarr O’Regan if I could
start up a magazine called “The Carnaun Journal” to raise money for our
school and he said it was a brilliant idea.
It was all called The Nativity Play. It was all about the Birth of
Christ. Every child in the school took part. My friends and I were shepherds.
People donated lots of money to see the play. They thought it was really
good. We practised a lot in school. Our teachers and our teachers aide
helped us. It took place at 8-o clock during the night. The place was packed.
People even stood out in the hallway. Theresa Feeney and Bridgie Laffey
helped with the costumes. On the night we were very excited, there was
a big attendance and a great response. My Mammy and Daddy were there
and they thought it was lovely. All the people said we were great. They
hope there will be a concert next year. I really enjoyed it.
In September we decided we would have a sponsored cycle to raise
money for the school. Our teacher gave us each a sponsorship card. I collected
£17.50. While we collected the money in September we did not hold
the sponsored cycle on the 24th of April, which was a Friday, because of
bad weather and also because were working so hard on the Christmas Concert.
We must thank those who came up to the school to help us. Bridgie
Laffey and Theresa Feeney cycled with us.
My name is Enda. I am in first class I am seven years old .I like
school. My best friends are Barry and Michael. I like art. We made lots
of nice things in school I am really looking forward to the school tour.
I like my teacher and I like my school. I am making my Communion next year.
On Sunday May the 10th 1998, I made my first Holy Communion. I looked
forward to it so much. I made my first Holy Communion with Christina and
Tara O’R. It was a very special day and we had great fun. I would like
to thank all the priests, my teacher, my family and everybody who made
it special.
Last Christmas all the school had a Christmas play. It was about
Mary, Joseph and Jesus Christ. It was a Nativity Play. I was one
of the narrators. These are my lines: “Bethlehem was a noisy crowded town.
Mary and Joseph wandered up and down. They were looking for a resting-place.
But at every door they meet an angry face.” Lots of people came to see
the play. My parents said it was wonderful. This year I was very lucky
I won two prizes. In school I won a Coca-Cola Truck and an Irish Book.
I am very happy in school.
My name is Michael and I was very lucky. My Mother and Father brought
me on holidays. We went to Spain. It was very hot. On my holidays we stayed
in a hotel. We went to Gibraltar. We saw monkeys and we gave them sweets
and crisps. It was a great holiday.
“Sing a song of children coming home from school
This is my last term in Mrs. Coffey’s classroom. I will be sad to
leave. Next September I will be going out to the master’s classroom. Mrs.
Coffey taught me a lot. I especially like learning crochet. I made three
table centres and one cushion cover. She also taught me how to knit. Next
year I will be knitting a jumper. The three girls in second class are very
good at knitting. I like playing the tin-whistle. I know a lot off tunes
on the whistle. Last year I went on a school tour. We went on the train.
We went to Dublin Zoo. I saw a lot of animals. We went to a restaurant.
I got chips and a Chicken nuggets. I had a good day. I can't wait to go
on our school tour this year. I like school and my teacher.
Dear Jesus,
Lots of Love Tara
This year we decided to buy a computer and then we bought one. We
were happy. Peter Gilhooley gave us £500 sponsorship for the computer.
It has Pentium MMX chip, 32 megabytes of ram and 32 gigabytes of memory.
We have Windows 95, Microsoft Office Professional 98 and Microsoft Word.
We have a colour printer, We have a modem for the Internet as well. First
we learnt about the computer before we bought it. It cost over £1000.
We hope to have four computers by next year in our school. Lately we have
got a second computer especially for the Internet. We are making good use
of the computers as this yearbook is done with them. We used a software
package called QuarkXpress to make the pages. Michael O’Regan helped us.
Soon we will all be experts on IT (Information Technology)
In the Town Hall Theatre they held a play called “Silly Bits of Sky”
and we went to it. It tells a story of five children and how they
deal with the situations and problems which confront them especially their
respective needs to feel part of the gang and there sensitivity to being
teased about things that make them different. There were happy moments
and sad moments. It was very good. I enjoyed it very much. The Town Hall
Theatre is very nice. I would like to go there again.
Marcella
Esker Retreat We went on our Esker Retreat on the 12th of March 1998. It was held
on a Thursday morning from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. in the afternoon. It
was all about preparation for our confirmation. We were told what change
would happen after our Confirmation and what we should be thankful for.
I am Terry. I like black. I am 8 years old. I go to Carnaun National
School. I am in third class. There are three people in our class. Séamus
is good fun.
People who helped us We would like to thank all the people who helped us in 1998.
They did a great job. In the school Mr. O’Regan and Mrs. Coffey worked
hard with us. Pat Laffey and Rose Kennedy gave great help also. Our parents
helped us with our homework. We have to especially thank all the people
who came to help with events like the Christmas play, The Sponsored Cycle,
our Garden and the Wild Life Pond. The Board of Management helped also.
Without their help and co-operation we would not be able to run the school.
A big ‘thank you’ to all.
1997 – 1998. It has been a great year in Carnaun this year. I enjoyed working with Mrs. Coffey, Rev. John Fennelly (Chairman) and the Board of Management. We were a good team with positive interaction. Parents worked well with us, our meetings with them were positive and fruitful and as a result the children had great fun and worked very hard. It was a very fulfilling year. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an bhliain seo chugainn chomh maith le cúnamh Dé. Fionnbarra O'Riagáin - Príomhoide. Music in the Classroom. We came in the morning to the
sound of Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach.
We learned Irish to Mozart's concertos. We
did Maths to Beethoven,
English to Tchaikovsky,
Religion to Brahms,
History to Schubert,
Geography to Handel
and were woken up sometimes by The Surprise in one of Haydn’s
symphonies. We know more about classical composers than we know about our
relation. We learned the difference between the March, Waltz, Jig, Reel
and the Hornpipe. We learned the history of popular music down though the
ages and even learned some tunes played by Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington,
Victor Silvester, Frank Sinatra, Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, The Beetles
and of course the teachers favourite ‘Louis
Satchimo’ Armstrong and The Rolling Stones.
Our Schoolyear /1997 - 1998 September
Social and environment programme for year planning for the year. Including a Wild life pond, Vegetable Garden. Environment Project planning stage plan Started Trees/bog/ programme in the classroom.
Singing at Sunday Mass in Athenry Church. Sponsored cycle Money collected. Our first Letters to Derry / Christmas Greetings to Inishbofin N.S. Research; on Liam Deois, the Highway man. We found out where the ‘Cúinne Geal’ was. We also learned that there was also a Hall House in the Norman keep near the school.
We got a reply in the form of 18 Letters from Derry We went to the ‘Wizard of Oz’ in the Presentation College.
Started gardening, planted daffodils very late Quiz (Credit Union) Vegetable Garden (Peat Moss/farmyard manure) Parents visits to school.
Wild-Life Pond planning and learning about different plants and insects for pond) March .New computer Ordered Town Hall Theatre - Silly bits of sky. Very good. Tour of waterways of Galway. Excellent. Esker retreat for Confirmation Class. Very good. Presentation collage school Quiz. We could have done better. Planned roadside enhancement C. Coffey engineer.
Took part in Ester ceremonies in our Parish church. Had the Sponsored cycle at last.
Derry trip off due to unrest in the North (sadness). 1st Holy Communion. Break-in in the school. Video Recorder stolen. Strong room door and window damaged. 22nd May Referendum Day off, - interest in our project from voters. 25th Winners of the Environment Project. Ear and Eye Test from Nurse Eileen Ourfalli.
8th Sligo for Environment Award. 12th Tomorrow's Farm. Teagus 19th visit from Dentist Dr.Mc Namara. SCOIL NÁISIÚNTA CARNÁIN  BAILE
ÁTHA 'N RÍ |
