Manor House School

6th years, with Mr Montgomery and Ms McGarvey, visited some historical sites during their short visit to the North. These included Crumlin Road Jail, the Bobby Sands memorial, the Bogside and the Apprentice Boys' Museum in Derry.

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All the 2nd years went on a History tour to Kilmainham Jail and Glasnevin cemetery. One group went on  30 April and the second group went on 1 May.  A thoroughly enjoyable and informative day was had by all on each occasion.   The 2nd years now have more of an insight into the social and political  history of Ireland in the 19th and 20th centuries.  Thanks to the teachers who accompanied them, Ms Doherty, Ms  Hegarty, Ms Cloonan, Mr Montgomery,  Mr Flaherty and Ms Buckley.

A group of TY history students went on a walking tour of Dublin on 23 April. In the photo below, they are finding out about the old House of Lords. Thanks to Ms Guinan for organising so many walking tours of Dublin this year.

1st year History students enjoyed a lovely day out at the National Museum on Kildare Street on 17 November. They took the Dart into town and walked through Trinity College to the Museum. In the museum they were given a booklet and pencil with questions to answer as they toured the museum. They saw bog bodies, a replica passage tomb, a Neolithic boat and lots of beautiful Celtic jewellery. Highlights were the beautiful Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and a tiny gold boat with oars from the Broighter Hoard.  The girls had a wonderful time. Their enthusiasm was clear to see. Staff at the Museum told them they were one of the nicest and engaging groups they ever had. Well done girls and many thanks to Mr Flaherty for organising the trip.

3rd years visited Glasnevin Cemetery for an afternoon to learn about some of the famous Irish people who are buried there. Patrick Pearse’s oration at O’Donovan Rossa’s funeral was delivered at the graveside by an actor. The students also visited many graves, including those of Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins. In this photo, they are in the crypt under the tower where Daniel O’Connell is buried. Many thanks to our excellent guides at Glasnevin Cemetery and to Ms Guinan for organising  the trip. 

Ms Guinan, Ms Doherty and Mr Montgomery brought their 2nd year History classes to the 'Epic Ireland' exhibition in Dublin on Wednesday, 26 October 2016, to see how 'Ireland's diaspora changed the world'. All agree that the exhibition, on Custom House Quay, is well worth a visit.

TY students taking the 'Heritage Studies' Module went on a 1916 History of Dublin walking tour with Ms Guinan in March 2016. In the pouring rain they visited major landmarks of our capital and learnt some of the history of the city. Events of 1916, along with the people involved, were highlighted. Despite the weather, the students enjoyed the day and Ms Guinan was very impressed by their enthusiasm and interest. As a follow-up activity, the students watched the fabulous RTE ‘Centenary’ show, in April. 

As part of a nation-wide commemoration day, Manor House students and staff had a ceremony to remember the events of Easter 1916 at a whole school assembly. 6th year prefects raised the Irish tricolour and its significance was explained to us, before handing the flag to the 5th years, symbolising the passing on of Irish independence to future generations. During the ceremony, the proclamation was read by Bianca Cojocariu, Ashling Keogh, Sophie Mifsud, Isabel Niculae, Dziuginta Sasnauskaite, Emma Stephenson and Nancy Wang. Ms O'Neill read a short poem by Thomas McDonagh. Our national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, was sung by the whole school. Heroes of the 1916 Rising who have relatives in our school were recalled. These students were given a round of applause, in appreciation of their ancestors' valiant effort. 

• Ellen and Aoife Butler, 2nd year and TY. Their great grandfather Michael Fallon was involved as a young teenager and avoided arrest.
• Ruth and Ellen Colbert TY and 2nd year. Their great great-uncle Con Colbert was leader in the South Dublin Union and executed for his part in 1916.
• Saoirse Hazley, 5th year. Her great grand-uncle was Thomas Clarke who signed the proclamation and was executed for his part as leader of the Rising.
• Moya Lee, 1st year. Her three great grand-uncles, William, James and Peter Wilson were all members of the Fingal brigade and took part in the Rising.
• Nessa Lyons, TY. Her great grand-uncle James Plunkett fought with C-Company in 1916.
• Lara and Jill McGuirk 6th year and TY. Their great grandfather Michael Steines was quartermaster in the GPO and sent to Frongoch for his role in 1916.
• Bláithín Murphy, 3rd year. Her great grandfather John McLoughlin was garrisoned at Boland’s Mill.
• Eabha Murphy, 1st year. She is related to Joseph Mary Plunkett, who was executed as a signatory of the Proclamation. 
• Rosanna O’Brien, TY. Her great great grandfather Joseph Patrick Jordan was a member of Na Fianna who took part in the Rising at the age of 14.
• Sonya O’Connor, TY. Her great grandfather Edward Roche was part of F-Company under Seán Heuston. He was17.
• Rebecca O’Keefe, 3rd year. Her great grandfather Thomas Cassidy was part of the Jacobs Mill brigade and was sent to Frongoch Detention Camp in Wales.
• Ciara Rose, 6th year. Her great grand-uncle Peader Nolan fought as part of the Boland Mills Garrison under Eamon de Valera.
• Aisling Young, 3rd year. Her great great grandfather, James Young, carried dispatches as a boy in 1916.

Many thanks to the history teachers and Ms Guinan, Ms Fields, Ms Grills, Mr Montgomery and Ms Grace for 'pulling' the different elements together.

The standard of entries submitted for the 1916 Commemoration Projects was very high. Well done to all. Here are the prizewinners:

Group Projects 

Ellie Byrne
Mia Kirwan
Leah Walsh Corcoan

Grace Pettigrew
Amy Byrne
Niamh Morrissey

Eve Carney
Alex Connell
Lara Moran

Allison Downes
Emily Allen
Sinead Doherty

Jodie Prizeman
Melanie Mandaji
Aisling McGlinchey

Nadia Evans
Millie O'Mara
Ellen Butler
Abbie Burke

Individual Projects

Alannah Singleton
Aoife Ward
Hannah Moreau
Saoirse Cullen
Holly Gifford
Moya Lee
Jenny O'Reilly
Isobel Hennessy
Jenny O'Brien