Trips
School Tour to Italy
By Oisin Mogan (TYC), Rossa Fahy (TYD) and Holly Roarty (TYD)
On the 9th April 2022 at 11:00 pm , 72 of our transition year students headed off to Dublin to catch an Aer Lingus flight to Venice airport to kick start their school tour to Italy. We arrived in Dublin at around 2:30 am on the 10th April and went straight to check in. After a long wait at check in and security we got a shuttle bus to the gate and waited for our flight to board. The flight took off behind schedule at around 8:10. The flight went fantastic and we all landed safely in Venice at around 11:20. After landing we had a 45 minute bus journey and a 45 minute water taxi journey into Venice. The group enjoyed a small bit of free time in Venice and then a walking tour of Venice where we saw some famous sites such as Rialto Bridge, Saint Mark's Basilica and Doge's palace. After a very long day we then had a 2 and a half hour bus journey to our accommodation in a small town called Negrar outside Verona. After dinner we got our rooms and went to sleep shortly after.
On the 2nd day of the trip we got up at 8am, had breakfast and headed into Verona. It was roughly a half hour away from the hotel. We had a one hour walking tour with one of the locals from Donegal town , PJ , who is now living in Verona. We then got a few hours of free time in the city , walking around the shops, sightseeing and getting food. We headed back on the bus to the hotel around 5pm, got dinner and then went bowling in the evening . It was great fun.
The next day, Tuesday the 12th , we were excited to be heading off to Gardaland for the day . We arrived at 9am and toured the park going on rides until 5pm that day. The sun was shining and it was a fabulous day. Like the previous day, the group headed back to the hotel and had a tasty dinner. After dinner, we headed to Bardolino, which is a gorgeous small town by the port. We had free time to get some famous Italian gelato and roam around the streets and shops before home time at 9pm. When we got back they had to pack our suitcases to get ready for going home the next day.
On our last day we got up for the last time in the hotel, had breakfast and headed to Sirmionie. Sirmionie is a little island in Lake Garda and is full of beautiful restaurants and scenic views. The group enjoyed a scenic boat tour and then were given free time on the beautiful island. We then headed back on the bus to a shopping centre outside Milan and were given free time shopping. After shopping we got back on the bus for the final time to Milan airport. We flew out of Milan on schedule and arrived in Dublin at 11:00 pm and made the journey home back to the school where we arrived at around 3:00 am.
A special Thank You and Congratulations to staff C.Hegarty , L.Kelly , D.Russell . D.Giblin , S. McFadden , M. Crawford and K. Clarke who made the trip possible and for looking after all students and keeping everybody safe - a trip to be remembered!
Written by Oisin Mogan (TYC), Rossa Fahy (TYD) and Holly Roarty (TYD).
Derry History Trip
TY students attended a history trip to Derry on Thursday 7th of April with their heritage studies teachers. Students had the opportunity to explore the Museum of Free Derry, visit the Guildhall, walk the Peace Bridge and roam the city walls on a guided tour to understand the history of the city.
The Museum of Free Derry tells the story of how a largely working class community rose up against the years of oppression it had endured. The museum and archive has become an integral part of Ireland’s radical and civil rights heritage. The museum also tells the story of Bloody Sunday, the day when the British Army committed mass murder on the streets of the Bogside. It tells the story of how the people of Derry, led by the families of the victims, overcame the injustice and wrote a new chapter in the history of civil rights, which has become a source of international inspiration.
Delphi Adventure Centre
Transition Year students travelled to their annual overnight bonding trip to Delphi Adventure Resort in Connemara on the 2nd and 3rd of March.
Students had the opportunity to go kayaking in Killary Harbour, cycle through the spectacular Delphi Valley, surf on the local blue flag beaches and problem solve some of the Delphi Challenges organised by the instructors. Students worked in teams to help them become confident leaders and better team players.
"This week our year group travelled to Delphi. We arrived with much anticipation at midday on Wednesday. From here, everything went smoothly. We were all split into groups for activities and for bedrooms. I was very pleased with my group. The first activity that my group took part in was canoeing on the lake. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. We then went to the canteen for dinner. Our night activity was a campfire, this was a good bonding experience and after the campfire we all had a bit of time to relax in the common room, this was good fun as we got a chance to speak to everyone, and having no signal was an advantage for this part as we all properly spoke to each other. Around eleven we all headed back up to our bedrooms after the hectic day. We were woken the next morning, packed and went back to the canteen for breakfast to fuel us for our next activity which was high ropes. At first, I as well as the other girls felt nervous to be at such a height but I felt great when I was up there. We had lunch and then it was time to go home. The bus arrived and we made our way back home. We all had a great time and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. "
Written by Shannon Meehan (TYD)
Transition Year Trips
As a result of restrictions easing, the TY Core Team are currently planning a number for Transition Year students. The first of these will be the annual overnight bonding trip to Delphi Adventure Resort in Connemara on the 2nd and 3rd of March.
Students will have the opportunity to go kayaking in Killary Harbour, cycle through the spectacular Delphi Valley, surf on the local blue flag beaches and problem solve some of the Delphi Challenges organised by the instructors. Students will work in teams to help them become confident leaders and better team players.
TY Surfing Trips
During September and October all TY classes have got the opportunity to travel to Rossnowlagh Beach to experience a day of surfing with expert instruction from the Fin McCool Surf School. This was an enjoyable day out for our students who embraced the challenge and didn't let the poor weather dampen their spirits.
The Leghowney Loop Scenic Walk
At the end of September all our TY classes embraced the Leghowney Loop Scenic Walk with their Teachers. First they received a cookery demonstration from Zack Gallagher and then made teir way around the Leghowney Loop finishing back at Leghowney hall where they were greeted with a feast of French toast.
Visit to Donegal Castle
4A visited Donegal Castle during September with their Teacher Ms B Logue and SNA M. Crawford. They were given a talk on the antiquity of the site and the castle and manor house and enjoyed exploring the site. The visit will aid in project work involving research on their local area.
Donegal Castle is situated in the centre of Donegal Town. The castle consists of a 15th century rectangular keep with a later Jacobean style wing. The complex is sited on a bend in the River Eske, near the mouth of Donegal Bay, and is surrounded by a 17th century boundary wall. 4A really enjoyed their castle experience!
TY Bonding Trip to Gartan Outdoor Education & Training Centre
During the first week of term all of our TY students travelled to Gartan Outdoor Education Centre for a bonding trip with their class group. The day out at Gartan was facilitated by the expert instructors on site and proved to be a valuable and enjoyable experience for the students involved. They took part in activities such as kayaking, orienteering and wall climbing as well as team building activities.
