Embedded Files
Halloween Playlist
Halloween Playlist
Check out the Halloween Playlist that you can listen to during this Spooky Season! đ»đŠ
Sneaky Peek...
Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Psycho Killer - Talking Heads
Zombie - The Cranberries
Autumn Animals
FoxesÂ
Foxes live in underground dens and are surprisingly similar to cats. Like most felines, they are mostly active at night, and they also have relations with dogs and wolves. The fennec fox is considered the smallest breed of fox, they also have extraordinary hearing. Foxes prefer to be on their own rather than in packs; this is called being a solitary animal. Foxes actually use the earthâs magnetic field to hunt and baby foxes are unable to see or stand when they are born.
 Predators: eagles and coyotesÂ
Natural habitat: rivers, wetlandsÂ
What they eat: rabbits, rodentsÂ
Bats
Bats are nocturnal animals meaning that they sleep during the day and are active during the night. There are over 1,400 different species of bats that can be found in nearly every climate except in extreme desert or snow regions. Some bats don't actually hibernate, some migrate to warmer places in search of food. Bats have very few natural predators; their biggest threat is actually disease. If we didn't have bats we would not have bananas, avocados, or mangoes.
Predators: Hawks, snakesÂ
Natural habitat: tropical forest, woodlandsÂ
What they eat: beetles, bugsÂ
Hedgehogs
A group of hedgehogs is called an array and a hedgehog's spikes are called quills, which they have between 5000 and 7000. Hedgehogs have very bad eyesight. There are 17 different types of hedgehogs. They are called hedgehogs because they like to build their nests in hedges or bushes. Many people used to believe that hedgehogs were a dangerous pest. One of the good things about owning a hedgehog is that it is nearly unheard of to be allergic to them.
Predators: badgersÂ
Natural habitat: woodland edges, hedge growsÂ
What they eat: worms, beetlesÂ
Gaeltacht
The time of year has come around again where Gaeltacht applications are to be submitted! So what is the Gaeltacht?
The Gaeltacht is an Irish speaking area, most commonly found in the west of Ireland. Every summer from the start of June to the end of August over 20,000 teenagers flock to their Gaeltacht of choice for the summer of their lives. So why do they go and what does a typical day look like for a student going there?Â
In particular I will be talking about ColĂĄiste Ărainn MhĂłir, as it is the one I personally have attended for two years in a row. So let's start off with the morning routine. Every morning you will be woken between 8 and 9am to get up for breakfast, get ready and walk to school. Although it may sound daunting I promise you school will not be like it is at home; generally it is an environment where students can practice their Irish and have the craic with their classmates and teachers. You will be in school for 3 hours in the morning and go home at 1pm for dinner. After you have eaten your dinner which consists of 3 courses, you will have a bit of free time before afternoon activities.Â
In the afternoon you will first have singing and dancing sessions where you will learn dances used at the cĂ©ilĂ later that evening. You will then go on to indoor or outdoor activities or swimming if you prefer on the beach. When you are finished you will go home and have your free time before another meal. The cĂ©ilĂ begins at 8pm and make sure to bring facepaint and some fancy-dress incase of a themed cĂ©ilĂ!
Many other activities include debating, public speaking, outings and most importantly the bonfire where you might get a little pĂłg during the fireworks if you are lucky! Overall it has definitely been one of the best experiences I have ever undertaken and my Irish improved significantly, all while I was having so much fun making new friends that I still talk to all the time, even though they are all over the country. You will make some of your best memories in the Gaeltacht and will 100% meet amazing peers and staff that will have a lasting impression on you. If you are interested please ask your Irish teachers about scholarships and the application process. I have gone for free the last 2 years because I just signed up for the scholarship. I hope to see some of you in ColĂĄiste Ărainn MhĂłir in 2024 or hear your stories if you go to another college!
Link to application form -Â
http://colaistearainnmhoir.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/09/bro24.pdf
By Aisha O'Hara Boyle
Page updated
Report abuse