Thart ar €1,400 bailithe i gcomhair Haiti
Over €1,400 collected for Haiti

Táimid ag bailiú airgid i gcomhair an Gena Heraty Haiti Fund. Is aintín í Gena do bhuachall sa Chéad Bhliain i GCL. Labhair Gena le Charlie Bird ar Nuacht RTÉ le déanaí.
We are collecting money for the Gena Heraty Haiti Fund - Gena is an Aunt of one of GCL's First Year boys. Gena spoke with Charlie Bird on RTÉ News recently.

Kay Ste. Germaine Rehab Centre,
Feb.11 2010

I woke up to the sound of rain this morning and I said "oh shit" as straight away I thought of those in the camps. The sky did not even look as if it was dumping more misery onto a people already in desperation. In fact the sky looked calm and sleepy and the thin clouds were like a light sheet pulled back from a sleeping bed. I rang my staff in Kenscoff ( the mountains where the orphange is and where I usually live) and they were shocked cos they woke up to clear skies. A little while ago I got a phone call from Guerlande- mother of Bedgina- 2 months old and an amputee. I asked how they were- yesterday they received a tent from someone that wants to help them. " we are in the mud" Everything is wet- cant even put up the tent cos everything is wet and muddy" I rang Fritzner - he is the Unlce of Stevenson. "what can I say Dr. Gena- we are here, everything is wet, everywhere is muddy". The little tent you gave us for Stevenson is good so he was ok- he is gone back to the hospital today for his appointment so you will see him"

It is quiet where I am sitting and the hazy sun has evaporated all signs of the morning downpour outside my door. My mood is pensive and I wonder what next for the people of Haiti. Over one month now and still no signs of real solutions for those displaced. Is it normal that after one month people are still crowded together in makeshift tents (made from sheets). Is this what always happens in countries where bad earthquakes occur? Was i being unrealistic when I expected that by now most families would have a real tent and people would be located in areas where there is flat land and where it would seem that it would have been possible to set up proper services? I wonder am I crazy for thinking this could have happened by now. I mean four weeks have gone by already! I dunno! I try to be optimistic but those of us living here know all too well that the rainy season in Haiti is never much fun and I DREAD what will happen if people are not properly set up before the rains come.

Our work goes on and in a small way we make a difference. Mothers and Fathers in the hospital share their stories with us and now we are family to them. Johanne had a surgery yesterday- they removed the bone that had crushed into her brain. An Italian doctor did the surgery and we are all so thankful. You should have seen her family - mother and grandmother! The first day, Johanne was taken by helicopter for a Cat-Scan. Her mother and Grandmother, watched every helicopter that flew by for the next hours, waiting for Johanne to come back. When she came, you would think that it God himself, come down from heaven, such was their relief to see Johanne. Yesterday was the surgery and again the waiting, and the waiting. The surgery went well and Johanne was stable last night and this morning. Dear dear Johanne- how beautiful to witness the love that surrounds her. You can see here there in the photo and Norma is working with her to get her to swallow food in her mouth again.
 

In the same room as Johanne is Angelin. Angelin was buried in the rubble for five days (she is five yrs old) and now she had lost half her leg. In the beginning she was so so sad - never could get a smile from her. Sad eyes, telling stories no five year old should ever have to tell. Her mother stays with her - a young mother that lost her other child in the quake. These days Angelin is much better and much more responsive. Her smile is brave and hopeful and she smiles more frequently now. But sometimes when she is sitting by herself, you can just see how much she has gone through - from the way she sits and stares and her mind is miles away.Bet my mam is wondering do I ever take off that cap!!! Tis very hot here don’t ya know!!

This is Veronica. Her mam died and she is being looked after by her loving dad. She is full of the joys of life and always has us smiling! She is two!
.                 

How about these beautiful young ladies? They are both so proud of their efforts on the crutches! Marie Marthe is to the right as you look at the picture and Marie Francis is next to her

   
Lest you think tis only girls in our hospital, how about these darling boys: First is Peterson and his Mom. Then we have John Joseph and then Mykenly.                                                                                                                  
 
I know it is not easy for you to see these kids in this way – for us too it is not easy and for sure for the families it is not easy. However this is the reality we face and I am happy to tell you that we will be involved in their lives from now on. I saw we, but really it is you too cos it is your money we are and will be spending. And these are just a few – there are many more and if I have the time, I will bring them into your lives. I tell these mothers and fathers that they are not alone because people care and they are so so thankful. My team and I are thankful to all of you.

I started this letter this am and now it is already dark. To my eyes the sky is ominous as if she also needs to cry for all that she sees every day. I spent most of my day on the computer – pulling together many people in an attempt to get Yolene ( Director of our special needs school) out of the country to go see her husband who is near death in Michigan. He was evacuated out of here days after he was crushed in the quake. Thanks to our friends in Digicell she is scheduled to go to Jamaica tomorrow and they will help us get her a visa to be with him. Meanwhile as I write, a dedicated friend has been travelling for hours(from the south of Haiti) to get here tonight so she can go with Yolene tomorrow. This morning all of this seemed like an impossible task but I am a person of hope and the day I give up hope is the day I go into the grave! So fingers crossed it all works out and she can make it to see him before he dies. It is a tough journey for Yolene who is only married since last July. Life sure is not easy is it?

Ok, that’s it for now! Time to move a bit!  Best wishes to all of you reading this and many many thanks for all the help and support. I need you to keep Haiti right beside you all the time- like your loved ones. We are all afraid that people will loose interest after a while and for sure ye must be getting tired of hearing about Haiti all the time. Let me assure you that money sent to my a/c is coming directly to me and will be used for the programs I run. Before this earthquake we did not even have enough money to do half of what we wanted to so with your money we can do so much more and it is always the poorest of the poor that we are serving. Understand that for now, we are not able to do big things – we need to be sure that when we start rebuilding for people, we will be doing it in a way that will be safe for everyone. So for now we give money, clothing and food and we take down all the details so we can find the best way to help each case we see.The discharged families are coming to us for therapy – this week we took on a new girl that we will have trained as a therapist for the amputees. She has some basic training and she is very happy to have a job opportunity now. We will be hiring more therapists in the coming weeks and also a music teacher will start with us on Monday. We need to get the kids singing and laughing!

Time to go!! Love to all. Keep the faith!
Gena

Aidan - Ireland 's Leading Problem Solver
Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh Student wins National Maths Competition
4/02/2010

Third year student Aidan O’Mahoney, of Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh secured 1st place in Ireland in the University College Galway's Prism 2009 Maths Competition. An impressive ten Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh students appear in the top 100 students in the country. Shane Kelly, who came third in lasts years Prism competition, came joint second this year with Diarmuid O Ceallacháin. Other students featured in the top 100 were Ciarán Sheehan, Russell Hickey, Éamonn O Briain, Cian O Murchú, Cillian Philips, Kate McBrearty and Andrew O Riain.
Maths teacher, Eva Ni Chionnfhaolaidh, is delighted with her students’ success in the competition and says that “it is all down to their hard work and commitment”. She hopes that the students will continue to develop their interest in and enthusiasm for Mathematics into the future.
Maths is a very strong subject in Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh with extra time devoted to it in the timetable. The Mathematics Department strives to make the subject as relevant and enjoyable as possible for students. Students enter several competitions reaping the benefits of greatly improving their numeric skills and problem solving abilities whilst having fun in the process. Earlier in the year Transition year students attended a Maths Magician show in the RDS as part of Mathsweek celebrations.
On Thursday 15th October second, third and transition year students took part in the Prism Maths Competition. Prism is a nationwide competition organised by NUIG which takes place annually as part of Maths Week celebrations. Maths Week aims to promote awareness of mathematics and its exciting application among second-level students, and to help identify latent, untapped mathematical talent within the school system. Students had to answer twenty multiple choice questions designed to focus on testing their creative problem-solving abilities. This year over 174 schools participated in the junior level competition and Aidan O’Mahoney, Rang Phádraig, came first in the nationwide competition . Aidan’s score was an impressive 18. This was a fantastic achievement for Aidan who is an excellent student and shows a great interest in Mathematics. Aidan will now follow Shane Kelly, who came third in last year’s competition, by attending extra curricular maths enrichment classes in UL where he will train with other talented young Mathematicians. The programme is also used as training for possible participation in the Irish and International Mathematical Olympiad.

GCL &'Three Men Go to Ireland'- 30/01/2010

Bhí áthas an domhain a chloisint go raibh daltaí an Choláiste le feiscint ar an gclár 'Three Men Go to Ireland' le déanaí.

We were delighted to see our College and pupils featured on the renowned comedy series 'Three Men go to Ireland' with Gaeilgeoir Dara O' Briain. Click here to see this section.

Gaeilgeoir na Seachtaine - 25/01/2010

‘Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh sí’
Mar mhúinteoirí is maith linn daltaí a mholadh chun féin mhuinín a mhuscailt agus a fhorbairt iontu féin. I mbliana bheartaíomar, le cabhair ó chomhairle na ndaltaí, córas nua a chuir i bhfeidhm chun na daltaí a spregadh chun níos mó suim a léiriú i dteanga iontach, speisialta na tíre seo. Is é teideal an chóras ná ‘Gaeilgeoir na Seachtaine’ agus táimíd tar-éis guth a thabhairt dos na daltaí tré ligint dóibh vóta a chaitheamh gach seachtain dos na daltaí ina rang féin gur dógh leo atá ag déanamh tréan iarracht an ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa Ghaelcholáiste. Tá an córas ag dul ó neart go neart in aghaidh na seachtaine agus tá sé soiléir go bhfuil árd mheas ag na daltaí ar an teanga. B’fhéidir, áfach, go bhfuil an suim ag forbairt de bharr an duais €10 creidmheas fón póca! Pé fáth atá leis, tá na daltaí ag feabhsú agus ag léiriú suim mhór in athbheochan na Gaeilge.
As teachers we try to praise pupils to develop their self-confidence and self-esteem. This year, in conjunction with the Students Council, we have devised a new system to try and encourage pupils to display an active interest in our wonderful, unique and special language. The title of the system is ‘Gaeilgeoir na Seachtaine’ and we have given the pupils an opportunity to nominate a pupil in their class each week whom they feel is making a conscious effort to promote the language of Irish within the Gaelcholáiste. To avoid it becoming a popularity contest the pupils know that the teachers have the final say and only genuine nominations will be accepted. The system is going from strength to strength and we already see a marked improvement in the respect and interest pupils are showing to the language although maybe the interest of some pupils may be slightly misplaced as there is a prize each week of €10 phone credit to the winner! For whatever reason, genuine or misplaced, the pupils must be commended for playing their part in maintaining the language of our land.

Nuacht ón Idirbhliain - 27/01/2010
Transition Year News

Killary

Chuaigh bliain a 4 go dtí Killary ar an 22ú Méan Fómhair.  D'fhágamar an scoil ag a naoi a chlog maidin Dé Máirt. Tháinig bus compórdach chun muid a thógáil. Thar an seachtain bhíomar ag dreapadh clocha; ag rópadóireacht; tonnmharcaíocht agus 'Gorge Walking’. Bhí tine chnámh againn síos ar an trá oíche amháin agus bhí sé ar fheabhas. Gach lá bhí muid ag déanamh gníomhaíoctaí difriúla agus d’foghlaim muid go leor rudaí nua cosúil le conas obair i ngrúpa agus cabhair a thabhairt do gach baill a bhí sa ghrúpa.  Bhain gach duine an-sult as na himeachtaí go léir.
D’fhágamar ar an Aoine agus shroicheamar an scoil ag 6.30.  Bhí seachtain den chéad scoth againn agus bhain gach duine an-sult aisti.

Laethanta Ceoil & Lyric FM

Rinne rang na hIdirbhliana cúrsa ceoil, a d’eagraigh an máistreas ní mhuiríosa linn, le haghaidh dhá lá.
Tháinig Conal ó Gráda chun na scoile chun an cúrsa ceoil a dhéannamh linn.  Thóg sé dhá lá é a dhéannamh.
Lá 1
Ar an gcéad lá chaitheamar an lá ar fad ag foghlaim faoi ceol traidisiunta. D’inis Dave dúinn faoi struchtúr amhráin agus faoi ghnéithe difriúla d'amhráin a scríobh. D’inis sé dúinn faoi ‘hooks’, sin é píosa den amhrán, séis nó rithim atá scríofa ionas go bhfanfaidh sé i do cheann.
Thosaigh muid á scríobh. Thóg sé lá iomlán orainn ach faoi dheireadh d’éirigh leis na grúpaí ar fad amhrán a scríobh agus séis a chur leis.
Lá 2
Ar an dara lá thosaigh muid ag déannamh taifideadh agus chuireamar DVD le chéile. Chumamar ceol leis na huirlisí ar fad a bhí againn agus chuireamar le chéile iad. Rinneamar taifideadh ar na gceol ansin.  Bhí na cúrsa af fheabhas agus bhain gach duine taitneamh as.
Chaitheamar lá eile ag foghlaim conas clár radio a chur le chéile agus a craoladh.  Tháinig beirt ionadaí ó Lyric FM go dtí an choláiste.  D’fhoghlaim muid gach rud a bhaineann le clár radio a chur ar súil.  Rinneamar taifead ar cúig chlár i rith an lae. Bhí sé an suimiúil ar fad. Ba mhaith linn ár mbuíochas a ghabháil do M. ní Mhuiríosa chun é a eagrú linn.

‘Margadh na Nollag’

Ghlac an rang páirt i gcomórtas fiontraíochta de Mhionchomhlachtaí, a d’eagraigh  M.Ní Shearcaigh duinn, roimh an Nollaig.  Bhí féilire, cartaí, achmhainn usáideacha do dhaltaí i gcomhair foghlaim na teangacha agus iris ealaíne ar díol.  Beidh seastán ag an ngrúpa ‘Cartaí 4 U’ sa lár ionad siopadóireachta ar an 22 Máirt. 

Obair Dheonach

Ón Luain 30ú Samhain go dtí an Aoine 4ú Mí na Nollaig chuamar amach chun obair dheonach a dhéanamh i Luimnigh. Bhí daltaí scapaithe ar fud an chontae ag obair le heagraíochtaí éagsúla, m.sh  Enable Ireland ,MS Ireland, Limerick Youth Services, Irish Cancer Society, Bawnmore, Animal Welfare agus mar sin de.
Idir an 30ú Samhain agus an 4ú Nollaig chuaigh lucht na hIdirbhliana amach ar catharnachta timpeall an chathair agus áiteanna eile timpeall an chathair. Na catharnacha a chuaigh ár scoláirí chuig ná Enable Ireland, Limerick Youth Service, Headway Ireland, Daughters of Charity, MS Ireland, Limerick Animal Welfare Irish Cancer Society agus a leithéid.
Bhí an t-ádh linn go léir mar d’foghlaim muid an-chuid scilieanna agus chonaiceamar go bhfuil an chuid obair dheonach ar súil I Luimneach.

Turas go dtí an Danmhairg

Ar an tríu lá déag de mí na Samhna  chuaigh an Idirbhliain go dtí an Danmhairg.  Tá nasc ag an gcoláiste le scoil chónaithe I Rejsby. D’fhágamar an scoil ag a cúig a chlog ar maidin agus fuaireamar an eitilt i mBaile Átha Cliath. Stop an eitleán sa Ghearmáin agus fuaireamar bus go dtí Rejsby.  Is é Rejsby an baile is sine sa Danmhairg.
An chead oíche chuir na múinteoirí muid go leir i péire le dalta ón Danmhairg agus thaispeáin siad an scoil go léir dúinn. Bhí lasagne againn le haghaidh dinnéar an oíche sin agus ansin bhí imeachtaí eagraithe . Ar an satharn chuamar ar turas trí seanbhaile Ribe.  Is é Ribe an baile is sine sa Danmhairg.  Thugamar cuairt ar iarsmalann agus d’fhoghlaim muid faoi stair na Lochlannaigh. Ar an tríú lá thógamar traein go dtí Cóbanhávan. Chonaiceamar an dealbh ‘The Little Mermaid’ agus chaitheamar a rá go raibh sé beag go leor. Shiúlamar timpeall na cathrach agus thugamar faoi ndeara cé chomh glan is atá sé. Bhí am saor againn chun dul go dtí na margadh go léir agus siopadóireacht a shéanamh. Ar an lá deireanach d’éirigh gach duine an luath chun teacht abhaile.  Bhain gach duine an taitneamh as an turas agus ba mhaith linn ár mbuíochas a thabhairt do na muinteoirí a tháinig linn agus don phríomhoide a ndearna an teaghmháil leis an scoil chónaithe.

Imeachtaí - Gach Céadaoin

Gach Céadaoin déanann an Idirbhliain imeachtaí tar  éis lóin. Don chéad seachtain chuamar chuig an club galf chun triail a bhaint as an driving range. Ní raibh taithí ag roinnt dhaoine ach bhíomar mar imreoirí garmiúla tar éis é!
Le déanaí chuamar chuig léacht in Ollscoil Luimnigh faoin innealltóireacht. Bhí orainn tarraingtí a dhéanamh do roinnt droichid timpeall an domhain. Rinneamar droichid déanta as daoine chun an cothromaíocht a thaispéaint ionas go seasann sé.
Chuamar amach chuig Unigolf in aice le UL chun galf mini a imirt, bhí sé greannmhar mar ní raibh aon duine in ann é a dhéanamh ach bhaineamar iarracht ar aon nós!
Chuamar chuig an iarsmalann i bpáirc Thomand le déanaí. Bhí alán sean- gheansaí agus butaisí spóirt ann a chaith na sean- imreóirí rugbaí . Chonaiceamar na seomraí feistis agus scanánn faoi na foirne. Ansin chuamar amuigh ar an bpáirc.  Baineann gach duine an taitneamh as na himeachtaí agus ba mhaith linn ár mbuíochas a ghabháíl do M.Ó Raghallaigh a eagraíonn iad.
Tar éis Nollag beidh na himeachtaí ag leanúint ar aghaidh.

Laethanta Oscailte

Ag tús na bliana chuamar amach mar ghrúpa go dtí an rás cúrsa le hagaidh an lá gairmeacha. Bhí gach coláiste ar fud na tíre ann agus daoine eile ón Roinn Poiblí. Bhí sé an súimiúil agus bhí deis againn labhairt le na hionadaí a bhí ann ó na coláistí agus ón saol oibre.
De bharr an turas sin bhí tuairim againn faoina cúrasaí sula chuamar go dtí na leathanta oscailte.
Thugamar curairt ar Ollscoil Luimní, An Cholaiste Ealaíne agus LIT.  Bhí said an oideachasiúil ar fad. Chuamar timpeall i ngrúpa agus bhí orainn tionscnamh a chur le chéile leis an méid eolas a fuaireamar.

Cainteoirí

Tháinig a lán cainteoirí chun labhairt linn ó thus na mbliana.  Tháinig fear isteach ó Parkinsons Ireland agus thug sé a lán eolas dúinn maidir leis an tinneas agus na comhartha a bhaineann leis.  Tháinig Deoloes Ryan eile isteach ó Enable Ireland agus thug sí a lán eolas dúinn maidir le míchumas agus a bheith ag obair le daoine le míchumas.  Bhí cainteoir againn le déanaí agus bhí sí ag labhairt linn faoi ISPCC.

Scilleanna Agallaimh

Tá go leor cleachtadh déanta againn maidir le scileanna agallaimh le déanaí.  Thosaíomar amach agus bhí orainn agallamh a dhéanamh i gcomhair an Rotary Club, d’éirigh le Aoife Willis agus fuair sí an dara h-áit sa chomórtas áitíúl.
Bhí agallamh eile againnn leis an clár ‘Anois’.   Seo cúrsa do dhaltaí atá ag iarraidh a scilleanna ceannaireachta a cheabhsu.  Bhí an t-ádh ag na daoine a d’éirigh go maith agus a fuair áit.

Banc AIB

Beidh banc na scoile I mbun gnó sa bhliain nua.  Daltaí na hidirbhliana a bheidh ina bhun.  Bhí agalaimh ag na daltaí go léir agus tá seachtar roghnaithe chun é a eagrú.  Beida an banc oscailte gach Déardaoin ag a haon a chlog agus beidh fáilte ag gach duine cuntas a oscailte.  Na daltaí atá ag plé leis an mbanc ná Dylan Carroll, Jeff Naughton, Aoife Broderick, Chelsea Ní Ríordáin, Emma jane Collins agus Ryan Meany.  Go néirí an t-ádh libh.

Drámaíocht

Tháinig beirt isteach ó Limerick Youth drama chun cúrsa drámaíochta a dhéanamh linn. Bhí a lán rud á dhéanmah againn agus bhain gach duine taitneamh as. Anois tá an suim ag an rang scánnan a dhéanamh sa rang Béarla leis na rudaí nua a d’fhoghlaim muid.  Go raibh maith agat Ms. de Búrca

Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh pupil, Lucy McLoughlin is one of eighty pupils nationwide battling it out to win Google’s Doodle for Google competition.
We are asking you to support Lucy’s design for this competition.  The winning student will have their doodle appear on the Google Ireland homepage for 24 hours.
This year's theme is 'My Future' and Lucy has a wonderful design which has been selected for the Munster Region.  Please click into www.gcluimnigh.ie and follow her design to the Doodle for Google page.  Click on 1st, 2nd and 3rd link to see Lucy’s design.
Lucy’s Design is entitled – ‘Dodo Don't’
Many of the world's animals are becoming increasingly endangered. I hope to work towards the protection of endangered species especially the panda, bees, dolphin, polar bears and even our trees. In my future I don't want to see any more species to become extinct like the Dodo.

• Name: Lucy McLoughlin
• School Year: 1st year
• Province: Munster

Bua sa Chomórtas Fionntraíochta Chathair Luimnigh Arís!

Win in the Limerick City Enterprise Awards Again!

Students from Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh scooped the top prize in the Junior Category of the Limerick City Final of the Student Enterprise Awards 2009, which was held in Punches Hotel on the 10 th March. Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, who also won the first prize in the National Junior Category last year, is delighted to see its students excel in this area.  The winning group will go on to compete in the National Finals in Tullamore on 14 th May.

First year students Niall Healy and Michael Danford , who won the Junior Category with their business M&N Wall Planners, have developed a keen business sense through the competition.  Their company is selling an annual wall planner for 2009.  They conducted comprehensive market research and based the design of the wall planner around their findings. The finished product was printed professionally and is of extremely high quality. 

Both boys feel that they have learned a lot from the competition and really enjoyed participating in it to date.  However, the success has not gone to their heads and they have each developed a philanthropic streak along with their good business sense!  They made a considerable donation of €300 to the Motor Neuron Association of Ireland from their profits.  

Business Studies teacher, Breifni Ní Shearcaigh, is delighted with her students' success in the competition and says that it is all down to their hard work and commitment.  She hopes that the students will continue to develop their interest in and enthusiasm for business into the future.  

Bua san Eolaí Óg BT

Win in the BT Young Scientist

Dylan Grace - 3ú Áit
Dylan Grace wins Third Prize

Bhuaigh Dylan de Grás an tríú duais ina chatagóir san Eolaí Óg ar an Aoine, 9 Eanáir 2009.

Tuilleadh / More

PRISM 2008

Problem Solving for Irish Second Level Mathematicians

Shane - one of Ireland 's Leading Problem Solvers
Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh Student comes 3 rd in Ireland in Maths

Second year student Shane Kelly, of Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh secured 3 rd place in Ireland in University College Galway's Prism 2008 Maths Awards out of a total of 2867 pupils nationwide.

Shane's Maths teacher, Ms. Eva Ní Chionnfhalaidh is thrilled with his achievement. According to Ms. Ní Chionnfhalaidh , ‘ Shane regularly arrives at multiple solutions to various problems'. We are delighted that he has won this prize.

School Principal, Mr. Donncha Ó Treasaigh said ‘Shane is an excellent pupil in several disciplines and excels in anything that he attempts. He also came 1 st in Ireland last year with another fellow second year pupil, Dylan Grace in the Young Enterprise Awards. Maths is a very strong subject in our school with extra time devoted to it in the timetable for each year'