Our Trip to UCC

Mid Term Break

Mossbawn house

Ballaghy

Northern Ireland

2\3\1952

To all my friends at st. columbs boarding school

I am writing to you to tell you why I have not been back at school.

A devastating tragedy has struck my family. My four year old brother, Christopher, has been killed in a road accident. I was away at school when it happened and I hadn't seen my family in six weeks. Our neighbours John and Alice drove me home from school that day. I was expecting my parents to collect me, and bring me home for the break.

When I arrived home my father was sitting in the porch with his head in his hands, crying. I had never seen him cry before. The baby was as happy as ever, cooing in the pram. He had no idea what was going on. I was quite jealous of him at this point, the devestation in my heart was unbearable.

When I arrived inside the house all these old men who I didn't even know started shaking my hand and telling me they were 'sorry for my troubles'. It was quite embarrassing.

Little Christopher's tiny body was brought to the house at ten o'clock that night in an ambulance. I couldn't quite pluck up the courage to see him until the next morning. He just lay there in a four foot box. He looked so peaceful, as if he was sleeping. He was very pale and the only colour on his face was a poppy bruise on his left temble.

I loved and adored my brother and he will be very dearly missed by my family and I.

Your friend

Seamus.

by Niamh O'Gorman.

Mid Term Break

Mossbawn,

Bellachy,

Northern Ireland.

20/2/1953

Dear John,

I am writing to tell you about the accident involving my little brother, Christopher.

I was with you when it happened, but all i know is that he is gone and I can't get him back. He was hit by a car and it knocked him clear. When I came home I saw my father crying in the porch, which is unusual because he doesn't cry at funerals, but at this one he had to.

When i went into the house there were lots of old men standing up to shake my hand and tell me they were "sorry for my trouble". It was very decent of them to do that, but I don't like being made feel like I'm an old man. My mother was very upset, but she didn't cry, instead she coughed out angry,tearless sighs. I tried to soothe her with a hug.

At 10 o' clock the ambulance arrived with the body, stanched and bandaged by the nurses. they brought little Christopher up to his room and lay him down on his bed. At that moment I thought I caught a glimpse of his face, smiling at me, but today is no day for smiling.

The next morning I went up into the room. Mother must have laid out candles along the bedside. I noticed a poppy bruise on his left temple. No gaudy scars or anything. What saddens me is that I hadn't seen him in 6 weeks and he was only 4 years old.

I won't be in school for a while, but could you please keep Christopher in your thoughts and prayers,

Yours mournfully,

Seamus Heaney.

Drámaíocht do Sheachtain na Gaeilge

ag siopadóireacht sa mhargadh bia

rang gaeilge ar scoil

seomra trína chéile

Timpiste a tharla

Sarah i bhfeighl an tí

Best Friend by Rebecca Healy

Best friend-

be good,

be bad,

but be sincere.

Be happy,

be sad,

but please be clear.

Be sure,

be certain,

but to the end ,

be constant,

be always,

my best friend.

To smoke or not to smoke??

To smoke or not to smoke??

To smoke or not to smoke??

To smoke or not to smoke??

The Importance of Democracy

42 woodlands,
Douglas,
Cork,
28/2/11

Dear Government Leader,
I would like to raise the issue of democracy in Ireland and around the world. As you know, there wass an election in Ireland and there are protests in Egypt and Libya as they are trying to over throw their government. The president of Egypt was supposed to be part of a democratic party but he has turned into a dictator. He has been president for over 30 years and the people of Egypt want him out. This is a prime example of why democracy should be in every country around the world. I hope when you read this you will acknowledge that dictatorship leads to fear and worry in the country and democracy leads to what the people want,what the people need and what the people hope for. I encourage you to spread this idea to all the people of your country.

Yours Sincerly,
Conor McCarthy.

The Importance of Democracy

11 Bellevue Heights

Frankfield

Douglas

Cork

Ireland

28/2/11

Dear Mr. Gaddafi,

I'm writing to you because of what is happening in your country at the moment.

I had never heard of you until 1 or 2 weeks ago when all the trouble started in your country. I'm only 12 years old and i thought every country was like Ireland. We elect our own government and it works really well. But when i heard whats going on in your own country I was shocked! You've been incharge for over 40 years and from what I hear on the news you dont treat your own people very well. I heard a woman on the radio saying that your citizens have to queue for food and they only get a small amount of food after all the queuing. Here in ireland we walk into the shop, find what we need and pay. Its time for you to resign Mr Gaddafi, let the people decide on who will lead their next government.

Yours Sincerly,

Robert Froggatt

The Importance of Democracy!

113 West Ave,
Parkgate,
Frankfield,
Cork
28/02/2011
Dear Government Leaders,
I'm writing this letter to remind you of the benefits of democracy and what good democracy can do for it's people. In the words of Abraham Lincoln "a government for the people, of the people and by the people"

In democracy all citizens are equal before the law. All citizens have equal right to power and democracy is freedom. People can vote for a person from their community who therefore knows about the problems of the area and can solve the problems.

Our own country Ireland is an honest democratic country. Infact, it had an election this Friday because the old government left us bankrupt.

If a country isn't a democratic country then the dictator may or may not have understood the problems. This has happened in a few countries across the globe. Most recent is the Libyan's affair. The dictator Gadafi has been in power for 42 years. When an election takes place he threatens the people to vote for him or otherwisr they'll die. So,that's why people couldn't vote against him even though they wanted to, as they were suffering under his rule. Egypt's dictator Mubarak has been in control for over 30 years and has ruled the country badly. A revolution took place to throw out the present government there.

I therefore, humbly request that you continue to do the best to maintain an honest democracy in your countries. This is only possible if you work towards better awareness amongst the citizens so that they can make the right choices when electing their representatives.

Yours Sincerely,
Natasha Singhal

Guide dog girls!

Our birthday girls got a chance to play with "punch" who visited us from the guide dogs today. Our school will be doing a coin trail soon in aid of Irish Guide Dogs for the blind, a very important charity!!