NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 INTOUCH PIECE

School Spotlight - Kilcoole Primary School

Kilcoole Primary School (KPS) is to be found nestled between the Sugarloaf Mountain and the Irish Sea in Co. Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland.  It was established in 2010 following the amalgamation of St. Anthony’s BNS and St. Brigid’s GNS.  In KPS we strive to provide a nurturing, positive, holistic learning experience for every pupil so that they may develop to their full potential.  At the heart of this is the school’s commitment to Irish games, culture, music, dance and language. KPS is ever present at Cumann na mBunscol activities in Wicklow, be it at the various blitzes, the Tráth na gCeist or Sports Day.  

In fact the current Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin Rúnaí, Cisteoir and PRO are all members of staff in KPS.  There are a number of teachers who give of their time to after-school training in blocks of the different codes and we are blessed with spacious grounds allowing our boys and girls room to play and practise their skills.  Lunchtime leagues are held annually. Senior classes are responsible for organising and running a sports day for the infant classes and refereeing matches in senior pupils’ leagues. KPS has a strong link with the local GAA club and many of our pupils and their families are members. GDAs come into the school on a weekly basis to coach hurling, camogie and Gaelic football.  

KPS has had many successes in the National Cumann na mBunscol Awards, undoubtedly the highlight being a trip to Croke Park, where we met the President of the GAA, as a result of achieving the coveted national title of Large School of the Year. Encouraging pupil leadership and ownership, pupils have been involved in recording the school’s promotion of Gaelic games and culture in project book and digital formats. These tasks facilitated friendships to flourish and are records of the school’s long, proud history promoting Gaelic games and culture for future generations to see.

Cumann na mBunscol 50th Anniversary Publication

Cumann na mBunscol as we know it was founded in 1971 and will mark 50 years in existence next year. Although the current pandemic has put many events on hold, Cumann na mBunscol plans to compile and publish a book to mark the development of Gaelic Games in primary schools over the course of the last half century. Joe Lyons and Ciarán Crowe have agreed to take on this task. Both have been involved in Cumann na mBunscol for well over 30 years. Joe is currently a member of an Coiste Náisiúnta and Ciarán is PRO of Cumann na mBunscol Luimnigh.

They are joint editors of The Green and White, a magazine which is produced 3 times each year and delivered to every primary school in Limerick city and county. The magazine was first produced in 1996 and has won numerous awards. They have also compiled two hardback publications, At Last, an account of Limerick's All-Ireland victory of 2018 and 20/20 Vision, Hurling and Limerick, which looked at how the game of hurling and approaches to it have evolved.  It also provides a statistical record of Limerick League and Championship games since 1918. 'Although Cumann na mBunscol as we know it is only in existence since 1971, Gaelic Games have been played on an organised basis in primary schools  for over a century,' according to Joe. 'Sciath na Scol has records of inter schools hurling finals in Cork going back to 1901 while other counties can trace their activities back to the early years of the last century.'

Gary Farrell, Rúnaí of Coiste Náisiúnta, has sent an e mail to all counties asking them to fill in a template which Ciarán and Joe believe will kick-start their work.

'We are asking people involved in Cumann na mBunscol to use this Covid-induced downtime to source information on Cumann na mBunscol in your county or province. There may be members of the first committee from the 70's who are still available to provide information.' It is intended that the publication will be a high-quality, hardback, A4 size book. Every county and province will feature as well as famous players in their primary schooldays.  Other aspects of the book would include features on the Cornmarket/Roadstone Awards, INTO Mini Sevens etc. 'It is a massive undertaking and will not come cheaply, but, if done properly, it will be a fitting testimony to half of century of work in the promotion of Gaelic Games,' according to Joe. 'Our first priority is to start gathering information and I know that there are people all over the country who will help us. Obviously, such a project comes at a high cost and if anybody can identify a suitable sponsor, we would be glad to hear from you.' All information can be emailed to Ciarán and Joe at cumannnambunscol50th@gmail.com

HUGE HONOUR FOR TWO FORMER DOON CBS PUPILS

Two former pupils of Doon C.B.S. Primary School and members of Doon G.A.A. club will captain Limerick hurling teams in 2020.

Adam English will captain the Limerick Minor hurling team. Adam is pictured wearing the Galway colours with Aogán Ó Fearghaíl, President of the G.A.A., when he played in the I.N.T.O. / G.A.A. mini sevens in Croke Park in 2015. Adam played on the Limerick minor hurling team in 2019 that won the Munster minor hurling championship. He is currently a student at Scoil na Trionoide Naofa, Doon.

Jack Ryan will captain the Limerick Under 20 hurling team. Jack is pictured wearing the Kilkenny colours when he played in Croke Park in the I.N.T.O. / G.A.A. mini games on All-Ireland Hurling Final Sunday in 2012. Jack played on the Limerick Under 20 hurling team in 2019. He is a student at U.C.C.

It is a great honour for both players, their families, Doon C.B.S and Doon G.A.A. club to provide two captains for Limerick hurling teams in the same year.

GAA LEARNING PORTAL

For excellent cross curricular lesson plans and GAA themed lessons please visit https://learning.gaa.ie/primary-school.

CÉIM AR AGHAIDH

Combine your love of the GAA with your love of learning thanks to Céim ar Aghaidh. Learn more here: https://learning.gaa.ie/ceim.

BY JOHN MANLEY DUALLA NS & PRO NATIONAL CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL