Our Pupils enjoyed a fun filled Sports Day recently. The whole school participated in all the Sports activities which included tennis, unihoc, rounders, badminton, basketball, an obstacle course, rugby and races. A fantastic and energetic day was had by all. Special thanks to the Parents Committee who provided well deserved ice- creams to all the Pupils.  

For our school tour this year we visited the 'Let's Go' camp in Athlone IT. The Pupils had an action packed day with bouncy castles, pony riding, unihoc, track running, basketball and the zorbing ball. A great day was had by all!

Well done to all the Pupils in Cloontuskert NS who all worked hard this year. The teachers presented special awards for the Pupils who they felt worked very diligently and contributed positively to school life. Well done to all the award winners - keep up the good work!

It is with great sadness that we say Goodbye to Father John.  In school today we had a farewell ceremony to mark Father John's departure. The Pupils recited poetry and sang songs. We presented him with a Celtic jersey signed by all the Pupils and a Scrapbook of memories of his time here. Good luck Father John!

On Friday we went on a school history tour . Our first visit was to Strokestown Park House. We learned about the Landlords who lived there and we went through the tunnel that the servants went through to bring food to and from the kitchen. It was very dark and scary!

We visited Elphin Windmill, which is the only restored Windmill in the West of Ireland. The 18th century Windmill was built by Edward Synge, a local landowner and Bishop of Elphin. The Windmill provided corn meal for the local people. We visited the top of the Windmill and learned all about how it worked and the people who worked there. It was very interesting. 

We visited the Cruachan Aí in Tulsk. We learned that Rathcroghan is the Ancient capital of the Kingdom of Connacht. We travelled to see the Rathcroghan Mound. All the Pupils went down the cave - Oweynagat (Cave of the Cats), which was used for Ireland's entry to the 'other world'. The underground natural limestone cave, which in legend is home to many strange mythical creatures that emerge into this world at Samhain, Halloween. The cave is also identified as the home of The Morrigan, the Irish Goddess of War . The Morrigan is the Keeper of the Otherworld, though according to legend, every Samhain or Hallowe’en , she leaves the gates to the Otherworld unguarded...

On our way home, we visited St Faithleach's Well, which offers cures for excema and asthma. 

We really enjoyed our History Tour!

 This week the children participated in a very interesting workshop on Wind Farms and Renewable Energy which was hosted by Coillte and Learn Renewables. The children learned all about the 20 new Wind Turbines which are currently being constructed on our local mountain, Sliabh Bán.

All the children made their own energy by making wind turbines and measuring how much energy they created. It was great fun!

The children were very interested to find out that the Wind Turbines are currently en route to Sliabh Bán from Vietnam, by ship! We also learned that a number of Roundabouts from Dublin Port to Sliabh Bán will need to be altered to allow the Wind Turbines to be transported. 

​The Wind Farm project will be finished by Summer 2017 and there will be a new recreation area and walking routes. We are looking forward to visiting the mountain and using the new areas and seeing the Wind Turbines.