Our Lady's N.S.

Our Lady's N.S.
Our Lady's N.S. is a six teacher primary school in Ballingarry, Thurles, Co Tipperary

Tuesday 15 March 2016

A New Proclamation for a Modern Ireland

Today, all over our country, people stand proudly under the Irish flag. Let us not forget those who fought and died so as we could have this moment.

Our flag has three colours, the most important of which is white. Had this flag been designed in our lifetimes it would bear many more colours. The most important of which would still be white.

Many things have changed in the hundred years since Padraig Pearse read the Proclamation on the steps of the GPO. We now have the freedom he so earnestly craved. It is up to us, the present and future generations of Ireland to use this freedom to further the aims of equality, religious and civil liberty, prosperity and happiness as outlined in 1916.

In 1916 we yearned for independence, for separation from those who would oppress us. In 2016 we have our independence but we no longer wish to be isolated. We are proud members of the European Union and the United Nations. We have a role to play in global issues such as climate change and the refugee crisis. Ní neart go cur le chéile.

Despite our progress as a relatively young nation there are still obstacles to overcome before we achieve the lofty aims of our fallen heroes.

There is no justifiable reason for homelessness to exist in modern Ireland. Unemployment and emigration continue to hamper our potential and damage our future. People sleep on trolleys in our hospitals despite the countless beds laying empty in closed wards. The well-being of our older citizens is not the priority it should be while rising obesity levels suggest the health of our young people is being neglected also.  Mental health issues can no longer be ignored nor can our alarming suicide rate. There is a shortage of Gardaí and the closure of Garda stations and post offices rip the heart out of our rural communities. People no longer feel safe in their homes because our justice system allows criminals to return to the streets virtually unpunished.

We are a proud nation and we have a lot to be proud of: our culture, our language and our people. We must protect our reputation as ‘Ireland of the Welcomes’ and treat our immigrants as well as we would wish our emigrants be treated on foreign shores.


Our fight to day is not for freedom. Our fight is to improve the quality of life in our beautiful country, to ensure that Padraig Pearse’s dream of equality, liberty, prosperity and happiness becomes a reality for all who call Ireland home.

Composed by the students of Fifth and Sixth Class

Proclamation Day

After all the manic excitement of last week's 'panto' there was a distinct change of tone at Our Lady's N.S. today as we raised the Irish flag to honour our 1916 heroes.
Students from the Senior Room and members of staff participated in a respectful Proclamation Day celebration. Ali O'Connell, the school's eldest student had the honour of raising the Tricolour for the first time ever over Our Lady's N.S, an act witnessed by all her schoolmates and a large group of parents.
Mrs O'Dea and Miss Mason read out the names of those executed after the Easter Rising. Mrs Egan read Padraig Pearse's poignant poem 'The Mother'
Fifth and Sixth Class students then read out the 1916 Proclamation as well as the 2016 Proclamation which they themselves composed.
Proceedings were then brought to a fitting close with a rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann.
Many thanks to all those who joined us to celebrate this historic occasion.






Sunday 13 March 2016

The View From Stage

Eight weeks of hard work culminated in two wonderful performances of our panto 'Aladdin Trouble' during the week. Here's what some of the cast thought of the opening night.

I was the King's Servant and the prop manager. Everything went well and we are doing it again tonight. The audience thought that it was very funny.
- Michael Ryan, 6th Class.

In the play I was Garda Bright. I was a good garda but I accidentally had to arrest Aladdin and Jasmine. In the end I got to arrest the baddie Abanazer. I was in all the village scenes. I hung around with the builder and another villager. All of our pants were really big so we had to roll them up when we were walking.
- Thomas Walton, 6th Class.

Last night was our opening night. We all got ready and put on our costumes and make up. With five minutes to go I was kind of nervous. When I got out on stage the hall was packed. Everything went fine. There was a load of jokes and the audience loved it. I really enjoyed doing the show and I can't wait to do it again this evening.
- Ali O'Connell, 6th Class.

When the show started I wasn't nervous. I was the cue card holder and I was at the side of the stage. The audience were very good and laughed at most of the jokes. At the interval it was very dark and I went backstage. I was only in one scene in the whole play. The show was very exciting.
- Ciara Mullally, 6th Class.

When I got backstage I saw many people dressed up. I put on my shoes and spoke to the other kids there. I was very nervous. Mrs Egan had put on my wig. It was very uncomfortable. I lined up to get my make-up done. I looked in a mirror and thought that I look a bit like Cleopatra. I had to stand at the side of the stage. When I got on I felt a bit more confident. I wasn't so nervous for the other scenes. My dress was a little long so when I went up the steps I kept stepping on it. It was hard to sit down in it as it was very tight. The show was great and everybody loved it.
- Bonnie Hehir, 5th Class.

Last night we did our school show in the hall. It was called Aladdin Trouble. It was really good. Fionn was Aladdin and Emma was Jasmine. It was about two hours long. I was a suitor. So were Shane, Andrew, Jack, Lee, Brian and Cameron. I was very nervous but it was fun. I feel that I did my part ok. I loved the show.
- Aaron Dunne, 6th Class.

In Aladdin Trouble I was a cue card holder. I thought that my hairstyle was very annoying because it always got in my face. I was mainly at the side of the stage but I didn't mind. One bad thing about it though is that there are props everywhere and they get in your way most of the time. When Ciara and I were about to say our line I think that somebody else said it instead. Overall I thought that the play was brilliant.
- Órla Ivors, 5th Class.

I was the DJ and I was in Scene 7. Before it was my part I was sitting in front of the stage and we had to sing all the chorus parts. After the bows we were clapping for a long time and then we sang the last song. After the play we were all very tired.
- Isabell Foy, 5th Class.

When I got to the hall I got my scarf and belt on and got my hair done. About half an hour later, Josh and I went outside to the main entrance and waited for the music to start. When the music stopped we walked up through the middle of everyone and went on stage. I wasn't nervous that much. I was more excited. At the interval I had to take off my scarf because I was roasted. At the end when I got off stage I went over to my mam and everyone I passed said 'Well done' to me. I got home at about quarter to nine and I can't wait to do it again.
- Ellen Geeves, 5th Class.

I was in Scene 2 and I was a suitor. There were lots of other suitors and the king and the princess on stage. I was an old guy. The first suitor was a guy who went to the gym the whole time. There was a chef, a soccer player and a guy who was like Bear Grylls.
- Andrew Hayes, 5th Class.

Last night was night one of our play 'Aladdin Trouble'. I wasn't that nervous but tonight might be different because the DVD is being recorded. That will be scary but I am looking forward to it.
- Ben Owens, 6th Class.

I was really excited yesterday morning but as it got closer to the show we all got a bit more nervous. The girls were calling it nerve-itis. We were all really looking forward to it. When I got home I ate my dinner and then it was time to get ready. I got into my blue costume and went downstairs for Mammy to do my hair and make-up. She did my hair in a side ponytail with braids. My hair was too short so Mammy put extensions in. I then got my make-up done. We went up to the hall. I got my microphone and then it was time. I sang as well as I could and acted well too. We all had a great time and the audience enjoyed it too. Now we have to do it all again tonight!
- Emma Murray, 6th Class.

Last night we did a panto called 'Aladdin Trouble' and we are doing it again tonight. I was a servant and a stage manager. As a servant I had to announce Conor McGregor and King Horrid Henry. As a stage manager I had to turn flats and get the stage ready for each scene. It was hard work but we managed. I think the audience loved it and I think we did a good job. We can't make any mistakes tonight because a man is coming to film it for the DVD. It was very good and I can't wait to do it again tonight.
- Kieran Murray, 5th Class.

My favourite scene was the first one because it was very lively. When our scene was over we went backstage and we had to be really quiet. It was a bit boring back stage so a few of the girls were doing the actions to the dances. It was a great show and I enjoyed it a lot.
- Emer Dunne, 5th Class.

When I arrived at the hall there were loads of people there. I was playing Garda Katya Crook. When I went on stage I wasn't nervous. I couldn't see the audience because the lights were so bright. It was a lot of fun. When we were backstage it was so quiet. Mrs Egan was in the front row and to make us smile she had to stick out her tongue. It was a great night.
- Kealy Maher, 6th Class.

Tuesday 8 March 2016

Aladdin Teaser

Tomorrow is opening night. Make sure you have your tickets as they are selling out fast. There are only a handful left for each night. The raffle prizes look amazing too. Thanks to all our sponsors.