6th Class Walk to the Lime Tree

6th Class went on a walk to visit the local Lime trees today. They are located in Villa Park. 

The Lime tree is also known as The Linden tree, the Tilia tree and The Basswood tree. The Lime tree is a deciduous tree and when in bloom, the Lime tree perfumes the whole locality. 

The leaves are used in herbal teas. The Lime tree wood is the lightest wood out of all European trees and is easy to mould. The Vikings used it for constructing their shields.

The Lime tree flowers are used in herbalism which people use when they have a cold, fever, cough, infection, headache or high blood pressure.

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A Visit from the Gardaí

We had some very important visitors in Junior Infants.

Garda Shane came to see us and talk about the wonderful work that the Garda Síochána do in our community.  We got to try on a Garda hat and jacket. We also had one member of our class handcuffed! Garda Shane brought us a riot helmet to look at and it was VERY heavy! We also had a chat to Garda Ciara over the police radio and played with a powerful torch. We went outside to see the patrol car and had a great time setting off the siren and the lights!

Garda Orla was outside with her partner Donagh…the big surprise was that Donagh is a horse! He is an Irish Draught horse. They are very tall and strong. Garda Orla can see further when she is high up on his back. We all got to pet him and he was very gentle and well-behaved. Ms Kelly even got up on his back! She decided to stick to being a teacher though.

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Kilmainham Gaol

5th class visited Kilmainham Gaol today. Firstly, we visited the museum where we were able to examine posters, letters, artefacts and pictures from the era. Afterwards we were met by Anne, our tour guide. She brought us to the West Wing where we saw the cells of famous 1916 leaders, for example, Patrick Pearse, James Connolly, Thomas Clarke, etc. 

We were then told about the love story and marriage of Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford. They married in the Catholic chapel in Kilmainham Gaol. They weren’t allowed speak during their ceremony and they were given ten minutes together before Joseph was taken away to be EXECUTED… Grace never married again. 

The conditions the prisoners (the youngest prisoner was five years of age) would have experienced were very harsh. They lived in very cramped conditions but were lucky to have three meals a day! Some people at the time stole so they could be arrested and imprisoned just so they could have these three meals a day.

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We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and would highly recommend this tour! Take a look through our gallery.

3rd Class Adventure- A Visit to the Phoenix Park

On Friday 13th March, 3rd class went on an adventure to the Phoenix Park as part of our SESE study. Upon our arrival at the Visitor Centre, we were greeted by Joyce. She was extremely knowledgeable and taught us lots of interesting facts. From Pope John Paul’s visit in 1979 to the introduction of the fallow deer, we certainly returned to the classroom with a greater knowledge of our local amenity.