OCTOBER 2020 INTOUCH PIECE
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT – KILBEHENNY NS
Kilbehenny National School is a mixed primary school in the parish of
Kilbehenny/Anglesboro, Co. Limerick. Our location at the southernmost part of County Limerick, 4km from the
County Cork border and 6km from the County Tipperary border, ensures that a healthy rivalry exists
between us and our near neighbours, particularly during the GAA season!
The school has 83 pupils and has a proud tradition of promoting GAA. We have strong
links with the local community and the local GAA club, Galtee Gaels, where our boys and girls play
their Gaelic football. We also have a strong affiliation with Glenroe GAA, our local hurling club. The
school has enjoyed considerable success in camogie, hurling, football and ladies football over the
past six years.
Our approach in Kilbehenny NS is one of inclusivity, positivity and enjoyment. We want
all pupils to enjoy being active while participating in Gaelic Games.
Junior Infants to second class pupils participate in two 8-week blocks of our bespoke Be
Active After School programme during the first and second terms. Elements of Fundamental
Movement Skills (FMS) and GAA activities such as Have a Ball or Fun & Run are used to great effect over
the course of these weeks.
GAA training is provided for third to sixth class pupils each Wednesday evening by
teacher Mark O’Connell and Principal Stephen Walsh in the local GAA field.
A lunchtime indoor hurling/camogie league is organised each October and November and
this is keenly contested by all participants each year.
We are extremely proud of the fact that our promotion of Gaelic Games has been recognised on a
national level at the Cumann na mBunscol awards in each of the past two years. In 2019
we placed 2nd in the Small School of the Year category. Last March in Thurles, a week out from the
closure of all schools, we went one better than 2019 and were awarded the title of Small School of
the Year as well as placing 2nd in the category for Promotion of Gaelic Games & Culture.
GO RED for CORK
ALLIANZ Sciath na Scol Chorcaí were proud to join with Cork GAA and Marymount
Hospice calling on people to GO RED for Cork to mark the 30 th anniversary of Cork
winning the GAA double in 1990. As well as marking an outstanding athletic achievement
for the county, the initiative raised much needed funds for Marymount Hospice. It also
served to keep Gaelic Games to the forefront in our schools, especially with no on-field
activity i láthair na h-uaire. To get involved, the people of Cork were asked to Go Red on
the 16 th September – either through wearing the jersey, red clothing or accessories or to
“red up” their school, (remote) office, home or car – and then donate to the campaign
through an online campaign link. Speaking at the launch, Cork hurler and concept
originator, Conor Cahalane said “I knew that Marymount were really suffering due to
Covid-19 cancellations and I also wanted to help push the significant achievement of the
Cork GAA players of 1990. Winning the double is something very special that doesn’t
happen very often and we need to celebrate it.” Kevin O’Donovan, Cork County Board
CEO, said he was delighted to give a socially distanced welcome to the 1990 players
from both teams to Páirc Uí Chaoimh to help launch the campaign. “1990 was an iconic
year for Cork GAA and still stands as an unmatched high-water mark in Gaelic Games
nationally. We think it will bring some much-needed joy and a bit of nostalgia as we
look forward to the return of our county teams over the coming weeks.”
GAA LEARNING PORTAL
For excellent cross curricular lesson plans and GAA themed lessons please visit
https://learning.gaa.ie/primary-school.
CÉIM AR AGHAIDH
Combine your love of the GAA with your love of learning thanks to Céim ar Aghaidh.
Learn more here: https://learning.gaa.ie/ceim.
BY JOHN MANLEY DUALLA NS PRO NATIONAL CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL
