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Carrignafoy Community College: Closing of “One Book One Community” Ceremony 2015

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Pictured at Heritage centre Frank Donovan Principal Carrignafoy Jack O'Leary Student Niall De Burca Elma Twomey and Laurie O'Driscoll. Photo: Anna Keating

Pictured at Heritage centre Frank Donovan Principal Carrignafoy Jack O’Leary Student Niall De Burca Elma Twomey and Laurie O’Driscoll. Photos: Anna Keating

Thursday evening 26th of March marked the closing of the reading initiative One Book One Community 2015. Throughout the day Carrignafoy Community College hosted three story telling sessions welcoming students from the local primary and secondary schools in the community to share in the fun and laughter provided by story teller Niall de Burca.

Over the six week project participating schools were very busy reading, learning and creating art work to celebrate the book SOS Lusitania and to commemorate the centenary of the Lusitania disaster. They were treated to accounts, stories and photographs of the disaster by local historian/ genealogist Christy Keating of Cobh Heritage Centre.

Story teller Niall De Burca pictured at heritage centre with pupils from St Joseph's NS and Frank Donovan Principal Carrignafoy Community College

Story teller Niall De Burca pictured at heritage centre with pupils from St Joseph’s NS and Frank Donovan Principal Carrignafoy Community College

The final celebration took place in Cobh Heritage Centre. The audience was treated to a showcase of performances by young local talent. St Joseph’s 5th class pupils set the whole event in perspective by reading various accounts of the Lusitania disaster. Great credit due to the boys as it was all their own work assisted by their teacher Mr Barry. There were many proud parents looking on.

The boys were followed by a toe tapping performance from the Great Island Fiddlers accompanied by their teacher Kieran de Loughrey.

Story teller Niall De Burca pictured at heritage centre with pupils from St Mary's NS and Frank Donovan Principal Carrignafoy Community College

Story teller Niall De Burca pictured at heritage centre with pupils from St Mary’s NS and Frank Donovan Principal Carrignafoy Community College

Next up was a short drama sketch performed by Jack O’Leary transition year student who became first class passenger Michael Byrne for the night and who recounted his experience of that fateful day 7th of May 1915. He was accompanied by Ruairi Mockler third year student on classical guitar. Both students of Carrignafoy Community College.

The highlight of the evening was a performance by world renowned story teller Niall de Burca. He cast his spell as no other can and had both young and old enthralled listening to his account of WW1.

Pictured a the One Book talk by Niall De Burca at the Heritage centre

Pictured a the One Book talk by Niall De Burca at the Heritage centre

Enthusiasm for the project was visibly on display. Work of students and their teachers, models of the ill- fated ship, drawings, pictures, clay models and some beautiful samples done in calligraphy were all beautifully laid out.

The 2ndyr J.C.S.P. class had their ‘Make a Book’ project and art work on view as was the beautiful crafted paintings, drawings and pottery by the transition years.
Some tiles from the Lusitania art project currently running in the college by art teacher Mairead Geary, a group of parents, members of the Swells and members of the community were also on display. Although still in their unfinished state they will be ready for the centenary on the 7th of May. Each tile is being decorated with the name of victim buried in the Old Church Cemetery with the intention of creating a lasting memorial and fitting tribute to the mostly unnamed victims of the Lusitania.

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Principals and teachers of our primary and secondary schools, St.Mary’s, St.Josephs, Gaelscoil Ui Heigertaigh, Rushbrooke National School and Walterstown N. S., Colaiste Muire and our own school, Carrignafoy Community College. We can be confident that the history and stories of those buried in our midst will not be forgotten. Their memory will be preserved and passed down through several more generations as a result of the collaborative effort of all groups involved in this reading initiative promoted by the Home School Community Liaison scheme. We thank everyone for their hard work and dedication.
We would also like to mention the help and support of the Lusitania Committee especially Hendrick Verwey, Fionnughuala Smith, and Christy Keating who has been an endless source of reference and knowledge on the topic of the Lusitania. Local businesses Londis Maura & Ray Keating, Centra Danny Murphy and The Cunard Centre Phelim Murray, Commodore Hotel Patrick O’Shea for their support and sponsorship.

Finally our thanks to the Jack Walsh manager and staff of Cobh Heritage Centre for hosting the event. It was the ideal venue for such an occasion.

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