Comments on: Heritage Education in Schools

By: Angela Healy, Scoil Chatriona, Renmore , Galway

Angela Healy, Scoil Chatriona, Renmore , Galway — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:47:07 +0000

We very much enjoyed our day on the Burren. I can’t wait to bring the children back in Spring. We learned the Ice Cream Man poem. It’s great to get them rhyming off the names of the flowers. Your work is very valuable Tony and long may you continue to be an inspiration.

By: Anne Quinn, Principal, Inagh NS

Anne Quinn, Principal, Inagh NS — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:30:16 +0000

Thank you for the wonderful Burren experience you gave to our 5th and 6th classes recently Tony! Having the prep time in class beforehand made their visit more meaningful and generated interest and excitement. The children are dying to go back again! Well done-you did a great job.

By: 3rd and 4th classes, Cloonanaha National School, Inagh

3rd and 4th classes, Cloonanaha National School, Inagh — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:38:06 +0000

We went on a trip from school
To see the Burren ‘cos we heard it’s cool.
We saw flowers, hills and trees
Cows, stones and lots of bees.
We climbed a hill to see a cave
Where Saint Coleman lived with his slave.
St.Coleman prayed alongside a well
But he had to leave at the sound of a bell.

By: Mary Egan, Cloonanaha National School, Inagh

Mary Egan, Cloonanaha National School, Inagh — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:56:35 +0000

Tony’s talk was most interesting, with a beautiful visual presentation. He asked and answered questions throughout and had great photographs which he distributed to all the students together with a thought-provoking worksheet. We wish to commend him on his ability to engage with the students and we look forward to participating in this activity again next year.

By: Senior students, Cloonanaha National School, Inagh

Senior students, Cloonanaha National School, Inagh — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:05:35 +0000

We went for a trip from school to see the Burren because we heard it’s cool. We saw flowers, hills and trees, cows, stones and lots of bees. We climbed a hill to see a cave where St Coleman lived.
Tony led us through the land,
And what we saw was mighty grand.
Flowers, hills and lots of stones
Nearly made us break our bones.
St Coleman lived inside a cave.
He lived alone and was very brave.
He built a church, an altar too,
A blessed well for me and you.

By: M.J. Malone, Cloughleigh NS, Ennis

M.J. Malone, Cloughleigh NS, Ennis — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:46:46 +0000

Tony’s expert first hand knowledge, enthusiasm and skill of delivery made our 5th Class’s trip to the Burren a really enjoyable and valuable experience.
The classroom workshop prepared the pupils perfectly for their subsequent exploration of the Burren landscape. The workshop was professionally presented and it awakened the pupils’ interest. The strategy used by Tony on the field trip was very effective and ensured the children were focused and learning.
I would highly recommend this program. The children loved it, learning throughout and they experienced the Burren at first hand in the most beneficial way i.e. on foot.

By: Sarah Eyres, Barefield National School, County Clare

Sarah Eyres, Barefield National School, County Clare — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:55:57 +0000

The wide range of methodologies and activities employed by Tony ensured that the Burren field trip captured the interest and enriched the knowledge of my 30 third class children. Activites such as the tresure hunt, ‘frog watch’, listening and observation exercises and poetry writing were all interspersed with factual information about the rich flora, fauna and physical features of the Burren. While the trip was well structured and organised, Tony was also willing to address the children’s spontaneous observations and questions as they arose. The children were kept on-task at all times and mindful of conservation. The visit integrated many strands from History, Geography, P.E, English, Gaeilge neamhfhoirmiúil and SPHE. The children left with a greatly enriched knowledge of the Burren and more importantly, the desire to return again in the near future.

By: Fiona Ní Chualáin, Gaelscoil na bhFilí, Gort

Fiona Ní Chualáin, Gaelscoil na bhFilí, Gort — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:56:16 +0000

Bhain ranganna 1 – 4 an-taitneamh, spraoi agus eolas as na laethanta a chaitheamar le Tony le déanaí. Thar a bheith sásta leis an réamhobair sa rang idir pictiúirí, billeoga eolais agus an taispeántas féin. Bhí an-chaidreamh aige le na páistí agus níl aon dabht faoi ach go bhfuil tuiscint iontach faighte againn ar fad sa scoil maidir le háilleacht agus tábhacht an Bhoirín.

By: Melanie O'Reilly, Scoil Chatriona, Renmore, Galway

Melanie O'Reilly, Scoil Chatriona, Renmore, Galway — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:07:54 +0000

My 3rd class thoroughly enjoyed the Burren workshop with Tony. He had a wonderful rapport with the children and shared his knowledge and interest in the Burren with them all. The visual resources were excellent and the children were engaged throughout the presentation and activities. Overall a great educational workshop.

By: Eoin Walsh, Ennis National School

Eoin Walsh, Ennis National School — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:28:22 +0000

My 6th class really enjoyed the morning with Tony Kirby. The presentation covered all bases as far as the Burren is concerned. Tony brought his enthusiasm and knowledge to the classroom and the pupils followed up with many questions and comments of their own. Excellent slideshow and workshop activity. A very worthwhile and enjoyable visit.