History
Colm Cille 1500
Is bliain tabhachtach í seo agus muid ag céilliúradh breith Colm Cille, ar ndóigh 1500 bliain ó rugadh ár Naomh dilís. Rugadh Colm Cill ar bhruach Loch Gartán agus cinnte tá lorg Colm Cille le feicéail ar fud na háite seo. An Léannan (abhainn), Leac na Cúmha, Rath Chnó (Church Town, Gartan), Cill Mhic n-Éanáin, Teampaill Dubhghlais agus araile.
St. Colm Cille (also known as St. Columba) is one of Ireland's patron saints. He was born in Gartan in 520 (or 521). There are many sites associated with the life of the inspirational ‘Colm Cille’ and also dedicated to him throughout Derry and Donegal. In 545, he founded his first monastery in Derry / Doire Cholm Cille – and in 563 set sail with twelve monks from Derry to the island of Iona in Scotland where he died in 597.
We plan to work creatively during 2020-2021 and the children have begun learning about this important figure from our local heritage, who has left such a legacy.
There are lots of opportunities for learning and we hope to link: Local history, Ceol, Art, English, Gaeilge, Environmental Education, PE- walking tours, poetry, faith - the possibilities for creative and enjoyable work are endless!
You may click on the links below - we're compiling a list of resources that you may find useful.
Colm Cille Life and Legacy
A very good resource from the The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) Northern Ireland.
Interactive in parts, you can visit a Virtual Museum, see The Cathach, explore The Book of Kells and how it was made, learn about life in a monastery, to name just a few. (Ar fáil trí mhéan na Gaeilge comh maith. )
https://ccea.org.uk/learning-resources/colm-cille-life-legacy
A very good resource from the The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) Northern Ireland.
Interactive in parts, you can visit a Virtual Museum, see The Cathach, explore The Book of Kells and how it was made, learn about life in a monastery, to name just a few. (Ar fáil trí mhéan na Gaeilge comh maith. )
https://ccea.org.uk/learning-resources/colm-cille-life-legacy
Derry City and Strabane District Council
Derry City and Strabane District Council have been working closely with Donegal County Council, Foras na Gaeilge and the Heritage Council in the production of the Columban Heritage Audit to celebrate one of the most influential figures in Irish and British history. The specially commissioned audit was carried out by Abarta Heritage and also helps to identify key opportunities for upcoming commemorations.
Excellent downloadable resource.
https://www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Regeneration-/Columban-Heritage-Audit
Derry City and Strabane District Council have been working closely with Donegal County Council, Foras na Gaeilge and the Heritage Council in the production of the Columban Heritage Audit to celebrate one of the most influential figures in Irish and British history. The specially commissioned audit was carried out by Abarta Heritage and also helps to identify key opportunities for upcoming commemorations.
Excellent downloadable resource.
https://www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Regeneration-/Columban-Heritage-Audit
Donegal County Council
http://www.donegalcoco.ie/culture/heritage/heritagenews/auditofcolumbanculturalheritagemeetings/
http://www.donegalcoco.ie/culture/heritage/heritagenews/auditofcolumbanculturalheritagemeetings/
Monastic Ireland
Monastic Ireland brings to life the stories of the Celtic saints, their vibrant spirit and the monastic sites associated with them.
http://www.monasticireland.com/index2.htm
Monastic Ireland brings to life the stories of the Celtic saints, their vibrant spirit and the monastic sites associated with them.
http://www.monasticireland.com/index2.htm
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitise and archive cultural works and books. They are free to download or read online and the collection is made up of books that are out of copyright. Click on the link to access some old books about the life of Saint Columba.
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=Columba
Project Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitise and archive cultural works and books. They are free to download or read online and the collection is made up of books that are out of copyright. Click on the link to access some old books about the life of Saint Columba.
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=Columba
Ask about Ireland
Simple, clear information suitable for primary school pupils.
http://www.askaboutireland.ie/learning-zone/primary-students/looking-at-places/donegal/people-in-history/saint-colmcille/
Simple, clear information suitable for primary school pupils.
http://www.askaboutireland.ie/learning-zone/primary-students/looking-at-places/donegal/people-in-history/saint-colmcille/
Documentary Podcast 1974
The Tullydonnell Gold Hoard- our ancient past revealed!
There's so much to learn about in our County Museum. The gold, which was discovered in a field in Tullydonnell Lower, near Convoy in East Donegal, is on temporary loan to the Donegal County Museum, so we were just so pleased to be able to get a chance to see this wonderful treasure. The children listened carefully to the story of how the gold was found. We discovered that it had been mined in a Cornish mine and were amazed to think of commerce and trade and travel taking place about three thousand years ago between Cornwall and Convoy!
The four gold rings weigh about 4kg in total and the rings were actually a means of storing the gold which was in excellent, near-perfect condition when found.
The four gold rings weigh about 4kg in total and the rings were actually a means of storing the gold which was in excellent, near-perfect condition when found.
Local history- the era of The Big House and the Iron Age Rath
We are lucky to have Rathdonnell House on our doorstep and were able to visit with our friends from Trentagh NS on a history field day recently. The ring fort dates back to the Iron Age (500BC to 500 AD).Raths were built for protection of people and livestock. This fort was the Rath of the O ‘ Donnell clan. After the collapse of the old Gaelic order at the start of the 17th century the property was granted to Charles Colchester and it later belonged to William Stafford. The Mc Clintock owned Rathdonnell from about 1786 to 1920. The Mc Clintocks seem to have used the house as a sort of hunting lodge. Henry Mc Clintock was last of that name to live there and succeeded his father in 1786. Henry ‘s daughter, Dorothea married Rev. Robert Alexander. Their son William became Primate of Ireland and, in 1850, married Cecil Frances. She wrote the famous hymns "There is a green hill far away", "Once in Royal David's City" and "All things bright and beautiful".
Peace IV trip to the Ulster American Folk Park
Peace IV outing with our friends from Trentagh NS. We travelled to the Ulster American Folk Park, enjoyed our day out of doors, listening, looking and learning. We visited the Old Schoolhouse, the Forge, the Mellon Farmstead and many more, See below for a flavour of the day's work.
Life in the 1960s
The Junior Room have been looking at life in the 1960s. We've had great fun looking and playing a record player that Ms Russell very kindly brought in. We have listened to the Beatles, looked at Andy Warhol paintings (and making our own impression of his famous Campbell's Soup Cans. We have watched videos of children playing on the streets in the 1960s and have had so much fun learning all about this really interesting decade, where things began to get a little easier for people, with the invention of convenience food, and where people began to have a little more leisure time. But the highlight of our whole time was a visit from Pat People's, Ciaran's granny, who filled us in on life for her, growing up in Donegal in the 1960s. We had lots of questions for her and we learnt loads. We were all very impressed to hear that she had had a scooter / moped when she was young!!! Thanks so much to Pat for coming in, and to Ms Russell and Kenneth for kindly lending us the record player and the phone.
Oatfields Sweets and Jacob's Biscuits- a visit to the museum
The boys and girls always enjoy their trip to our museum- it's always fascinating. ‘Oatfield – A Short But Sweet History’ explores the world of Letterkenny’s famous Oatfield confectionery factory through personal memories, photographs and artefacts. Oatfield Confectionery had seen many changes from its foundation in the 1920s to 2010 when manufacture of these iconic sweets moved abroad. Many older people will recall with nostalgia their favourite Oatfields sweet- Emeralds, Orange Chocolates, Winter Easers!
In class recently, we had enjoyed a visit from a neighbour, Mrs. Mc Dermott who worked in Oatfields as a young girl. So it was a chance to build on the classroom work, by visiting the exhibition. Some of the children's relations also worked in Oatfields and the factory is an important part of the town's social history.
Mrs. Mc Dermott described how she and her friends all walked into the factory from the outlying townlands and always had great fun, laughing and discussing the news from the previous night's 'dance'! More people would join them as they walked in the road.
See pictures below.
In class recently, we had enjoyed a visit from a neighbour, Mrs. Mc Dermott who worked in Oatfields as a young girl. So it was a chance to build on the classroom work, by visiting the exhibition. Some of the children's relations also worked in Oatfields and the factory is an important part of the town's social history.
Mrs. Mc Dermott described how she and her friends all walked into the factory from the outlying townlands and always had great fun, laughing and discussing the news from the previous night's 'dance'! More people would join them as they walked in the road.
See pictures below.
A local building- Corn and Flax Mill at New Mills
In history class, we've been taking an in-depth look at an old building in our locality. Last term, we visited the Corn and Flax Mills at New Mills. The corn mill was a very important part of life in a district. The mill, shop and out buildings are an interesting reminder of a stage in the industrial development of this country. We discussed modern, industrial plants in Letterkenny but agreed that the technology at New Mills was just as fascinating and clever. We saw one of the largest water wheels in Ireland in action as it drives the machinery, powered by the energy of the water.
Looking back at the 1960s
The Junior Room have been looking at life in the 1960s. We were delighted to be able to have a visit from a car from 1963!
The Junior Room have been looking at life in the 1960s. We were delighted to be able to have a visit from a car from 1963!
An historic building nearby- Rathdonnell House
Rathdonnell House pre 1836 two-storey over basement house, built in a prominent position on high ground and surrounded by fine mature trees. The house is sited next to a ring fort, Rathdonnell Fort. See our drawings below.
Oíche Shamhna- cén fath go mbíonn ceiliúradh ann?
Deirtear go raibh ceithre fhéile ag na Ceiltigh fadó. Ceann amháin de na féilte seo ab ea an tSamhain. Cheiliúr siad an chéad lá den gheimhreadh. Ghléas siad iad féin go scanrúil chun eagla a chur ar thaibhsí. Las siad tinte cnámh fósta. San ochtú haois, d'fhógair an Pápa Gréagóir III go mbeadh lá saoire eaglasta ann chun saol na Naomh a cheiliúradh. Tar éis roinnt mhaith blianta eila, ainmníodh an 2 Samhain mar lá speisialta in onóir na marbh. Oíche Shamhna mhaith daoibh go léir!
Trip to the County Museum "Donegal in 1916"
Pupils enjoyed a trip to the County Museum, Letterkenny to see the 'Donegal in 1916 exhibition' during Wainfest Week. There was so much to see and learn and do.
Donegal Historical Society Competition
We were proud prizewinners in the recent 'Virtually 1916' competition where the pupils had to create their own newspapers reflecting life one hundred years ago. Pupils produced four publications- "The Northern Star, "The Tirchonaill Times", "The Connall Chronicle" and "The Rathdonnell Times". You can browse the publications below, pausing the slideshow at your leisure. The Donegal Co Council 1916 Education Pack was a valuable resource. Strong local themes are reflected in the pupils' work.
We were proud prizewinners in the recent 'Virtually 1916' competition where the pupils had to create their own newspapers reflecting life one hundred years ago. Pupils produced four publications- "The Northern Star, "The Tirchonaill Times", "The Connall Chronicle" and "The Rathdonnell Times". You can browse the publications below, pausing the slideshow at your leisure. The Donegal Co Council 1916 Education Pack was a valuable resource. Strong local themes are reflected in the pupils' work.
"The Northern Star"
Popular advertisements of the time, the seasonal workers in Scotland and England, local dignitaries e.g. Cardinal Michael Logue, Mrs Adair. Other topics included: The Workhouse, Women’s Lives, The Rural Landscape, Farming and Land Practices, Fishing and the ‘Gutters’- the women who cleaned fish and who were important to the fish industry of Donegal- a wide range of topics reflecting the interests of senior primary school pupils. They enjoyed this project.
Sources and reference books:
Donegal Co Council 1916 Education Pack, Cloughaneely Myth and Fact Gerry Mc Laughlin, Material Culture of Donegal Communities Abroad- Donegal Heritage Series 2, An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of County Donegal by Sean Beattie and Jim Mc Laughlin, St. Eunan’s Cathedral Letterkenny by Graham Harrison, Donegal Historical Society Annual (1966)- Article on Major Joe Sweeney, Remembering 1916’ CJ Fallons, Duchas.ie The Schools’ Collection, ‘From home to foreign fields’ : A history of the First World War in the Derry City, Strabane district, Omagh district and Donegal County Council areas
Donegal Co Council 1916 Education Pack, Cloughaneely Myth and Fact Gerry Mc Laughlin, Material Culture of Donegal Communities Abroad- Donegal Heritage Series 2, An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of County Donegal by Sean Beattie and Jim Mc Laughlin, St. Eunan’s Cathedral Letterkenny by Graham Harrison, Donegal Historical Society Annual (1966)- Article on Major Joe Sweeney, Remembering 1916’ CJ Fallons, Duchas.ie The Schools’ Collection, ‘From home to foreign fields’ : A history of the First World War in the Derry City, Strabane district, Omagh district and Donegal County Council areas
"The Tirchonaill Times"
Including: The Hiring Fairs, Daylight Saving Time , famous women and men including Paddy the Cope, Dr. Kathleen Lynn for example. The story of Packie Clarke ancestor of one of the children and which is a little-known story in Donegal. Also ‘exclusive’ material in the form of a letter written by Mrs Cornelia Adair of Glenveagh Castle in 1916.
Sources and reference books:
Donegal Co Council 1916 Education Pack, 'Cloughaneely Myth and Fact' Gerry Mc Laughlin
'An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of County Donegal' by Sean Beattie and Jim Mc Laughlin
‘Remembering 1916’ CJ Fallons
Donegal Co Council 1916 Education Pack, 'Cloughaneely Myth and Fact' Gerry Mc Laughlin
'An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of County Donegal' by Sean Beattie and Jim Mc Laughlin
‘Remembering 1916’ CJ Fallons
"The Rathdonnell Times"
Pupils' own interpretation of events of 1916, including matters of national, international and local importance as seen through the eyes of young children.
Sources and reference books:
Donegal Co Council 1916 Education Pack
'Remembering 1916’ CJ Fallons
'An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of County Donegal' by Sean Beattie and Jim Mc Laughlin
Donegal Co Council 1916 Education Pack
'Remembering 1916’ CJ Fallons
'An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of County Donegal' by Sean Beattie and Jim Mc Laughlin
"The Connall Chronicle"
‘The Connall Chronicle’ provides a lively account of life 100 years ago, drawing on material such as popular advertisements of the time and describing events at County, national and international level. The children’s own illustrations add colour and character to their publication.
Sources and reference books: Donegal Co Council 1916 Education Pack
'Material Culture of Donegal Communities Abroad' Donegal Heritage Series 2
'An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of County Donegal' by Sean Beattie and Jim Mc Laughlin
‘Remembering 1916’ CJ Fallons
'From home to foreign fields’ : A history of the First World War in the Derry City, Strabane district, Omagh district and Donegal County Council areas
'Material Culture of Donegal Communities Abroad' Donegal Heritage Series 2
'An Historical, Environmental and Cultural Atlas of County Donegal' by Sean Beattie and Jim Mc Laughlin
‘Remembering 1916’ CJ Fallons
'From home to foreign fields’ : A history of the First World War in the Derry City, Strabane district, Omagh district and Donegal County Council areas