​On the 9th of November we had a forensic science workshop for the middle three classes for ty2, 3 and first three for ty1 and 4. The minuet we got into the PE hall for the class we were told to sit down by the advisor and listen to what she had to say. She started by introducing herself and talking about what was going to happen for the next three classes. She told us about the different tables around the room and how they will help us figure out the murder mystery. She told us about the victim to give us a head start and we then went into groups and went off to figure out the cause of death and where the body was found. Myself and the rest of my group went off to each table and wrote down what we thought was the right answers. After about an hour or so we were told to come to the front of the PE hall and sit down. She was going to start talking about the murder and the class of people and to help her out in figuring it out.                                                         
 
 

​The aims of the trip were to make us learn more about Glasnevin and Croke park. Glasnevin is where Michael Collins, Eamon De Valera and all of the most important people of the 1916 rising are buried. He was Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State from January 1922 until his assassination in August 1922. After Michael Collins grave we went to Daniel O'Connell's grave Republican Brotherhood. At 11:00 on 23rd of November we arrived at Glasnevin cemetery for a tour around some graves. We started off at O’Donovan Rossa's grave who was an Irish Finnian leader and prominent member of the Irish We then went to Eamon De Valera’s grave who was a prominent statesman and political leader in 20th-century Ireland. His political career spanned over half a century he served several terms as head of government and head of state. He also led the introduction of the Constitution of Ireland. After Eamon De Valera’s grave we went to Michael Collins grave who was an Irish revolutionary, soldier and politician who was a leading figure in the early-20th-century Irish struggle for independence.  While we learned a lot about Glasnevin we also learned a lot of stuff about Croke park for example Croke park holds 4 concerts a year and it is the 3rd largest stadium in Europe. It is also the largest stadium in the world.
 

REMINDER 
A very important reminder to all TY's to have their Work Experience forms filled out and handed into Mr. Morrissey as soon as possible. The dates for Work Experience are just around the corner.

​​On the 27th of September all TY classes went kayaking on the river barrow. We left school at 9:00 in the morning. The bus drive was 40 minutes long and we spent 2 hours in the water learning how to Kayak and how to go down the rapids. What we enjoyed the most was learning how to use the paddles properly. I also enjoyed going down the rapids in the kayak and trying not to fall out on the way down. Surprisingly, the water was warm especially for those who fell in, it was a good thing. 

On Thursday the 11th of October, we visited James Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny. When we first arrived we were greeted by Captain Scallan and were told what we would be doing for the day. He also informed us about the Irish forces that were on peace keeping missions in Syria and how they were stranded there for 2 weeks at the time we visited. My group was brought to the weapons display and we got to hold various types of weapons such as snipers, assault rifles, mortars and machine guns. We were told that the mortar has a blast radius of 50M and a range of 8 KM. After this we were shown the Barracks mascot, an Irish wolfhound. Then we were given a talk on the different types of positions in the Defense Forces, such as Air Corps, Rangers and the Irish Navy.
 
 We were later shown unarmed combat, they showed us how to disarm someone brandishing a weapon and how to defend oneself from unarmed attackers. We were also given a tour of the Barracks Museum where we learned about the Kilkenny men who fought for Irish independence the most important being James Stephens. I learned that the barracks is named after him in honor of his role as the founding member of the Fenian movement.