Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Final, 2022
The Ursuline was well represented at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska last week. The Fifth and Sixth Year Ag Science students and the four TY classes travelled to Co Laois in search of free samples, celebrities and greater farming knowledge. The School had two National Finalists at the Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools stand. Gráinne Callanan, Evie Smyth, Rebekah Smith and Kaitlyn Ryan were presented with their Angus cross calves which will be making their way home to Callanan’s farm to be reared for the next year and a half. Their project investigated ‘Health and Safety on Beef Farms’ and made it through tough preliminary rounds and an initial nationwide entry of 140 projects to be selected as one of the final five. They explored how the physical and mental health of farmers can impacted both positively and negatively, by their way of life. They were excellent ambassadors for the school and the Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools competition and were joined at the stand by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue who praised the team on their efforts and findings. Also at the same Irish Angus stand were fellow Ursulines, Gráinne O’Donnell, Louise Hickey, Louise Creagh and Karen Campion, Sixth Year, who were 2021 finalists. They have been raising their calves to maturity over the last year and spoke to this year’s contestants and the media about their positive experience in the Competition, how much they gained both in terms of personal development and a greater understanding of the beef farming industry. Best of luck to both teams who are hoping to be the eventual winners in 2023 and 2024.
The other Ursulines ‘giving it welly’ at the Ploughing were three Junk Kouture designs who were invited to attend the Creative Ireland stand. They show-cased sustainability and recyclability in fashion. The three outfits were the 2020 Southern Regional Winner the aptly named ‘Givin it Welly’ with their dress made from milking machine filter socks. The 2022 Regional Finalist ‘Brainwashed Bachelorette’ with a red and black creation made from a discarded car wash. The third Ursuline entrant strutting their stuff on the catwalk was ‘Green with Envy’ which was fashioned using briquette bailing and an old leather couch. They teams thoroughly enjoyed the media attention and were delighted with the praised heaped upon their creations.
Ursuline 250th Mass
The Ursuline Chamber Choir was invited to Blackrock in Cork on Tuesday, 20 September to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the first Ursuline sisters to Ireland in 1771. They joined with other Irish Ursuline Secondary School Choirs from across the country to commemorate this special event in the history of the Ursuline order in Ireland. The Choir sang a beautiful rendition of Deer Song (I Arise Today) during Communion with Sophie Rowland, Sixth Year, representing the school at the Prayers of the Faithful. The celebrant, Brother Stephen, paid tribute to the work done by Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Order, who invited the Ursulines to Cork and who along with the Ursuline sisters was at the forefront of educating young people. He also spoke about progressive women in the church not always getting the acknowledgment they deserved. The mass was live-streamed by Star Systems and watched by Primary and Post Primary students in Thurles, Cork, Waterford, Sligo and Cabinteely.
TY Barista Workshop
The four TY classes of UCT enjoyed some practical instruction in the art of barista on Friday, 23 September. Richie and Mike from the Dublin Barista School showed students how to make lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos and mochas with signature latte art in the shape of creamy love hearts and leaves. It was an enjoyable demonstration with the finished products being lapped up by everyone who popped into the TY rooms for a cuppa.
TY Set Dancing
The Ursuline TYs had plenty of craic on Friday 23 September learning set dances with Michael Cooney. He is teaching them the various steps and moves to well known Irish dances as part of their Celtic Studies module. As well as being great fun and exercise it is keeping traditional culture alive and ensuring that the students will all be ready for The Siege of Ennis or The Walls of Limerick when they attend their next wedding or céilí.
Hockey
The Senior, Junior and Minor As were out this week with successful outcomes in all games. The Senior A and Junior A hockey teams beat Bandon. The Seniors won 5-2 with goals courtesy of Bethann Murphy, Rosie O’Grady, Anna McCartan and two from Abi Hourigan Powell,
The Juniors won 5-1 with Kate Walsh finding the net twice. Ciara Collins, Lily Kavanagh and Grace Forde also got their names on the scoresheet. A great display of hockey all round with both teams showing great fight to come back after going a goal down early on. A great start to the league and well done to all on their commitment and effort over the last few weeks.
The Minor As played Rockwell at home. Ursuline won with Katya Shorten bagging the only goal of the game between two well matched sides who displayed great skill and teamwork.
Basketball
The Ursuline first year basketball players were on court last week in a friendly against the Presentation Thurles. Everyone enjoyed this first outing and got a chance to put new skills practiced in training into action.
Show Rehearsal
The Ursuline School Musical is back after a two year Covid break and it’s a big one with the production team taking on The Lion King Junior. Rehearsals started in earnest last Sunday, 25 September with an assembled company of over 230 students from Third Year, TY, Fifth and Sixth Year. Best of luck to cast and crew in the weeks ahead as they prepare for opening night on Saturday, 22 October.