The next Scratch Coding Workshop will take place in Cashel Library on Saturday next March 14th from 2:30pm-3:30pm.
This workshop is suitable for children ages 9+, and as is always, booking required, please, to Tel: 062-63825.
The Benefits of Scratch Coding for Children.
Scratch coding gives children an inviting first step into programming because its block-based design lets them focus on ideas rather than syntax. Instead of getting stuck on punctuation errors, they can build stories, games, and animations while learning core concepts like sequencing, loops, conditionals, and variables. The Scratch Foundation describes Scratch as a creative learning platform used by millions of young people worldwide, and research reviews on computational thinking and coding in primary education link these kinds of activities with stronger problem-solving, persistence, and computational thinking skills.
Just as importantly, Scratch helps children see themselves as creators, not just consumers, of technology. When kids design their own interactive projects, they practice imagination, communication, and iterative thinking: they test ideas, fix mistakes, and improve their work. UNICEF also emphasizes that digital literacy is now a core skill for school, work, and life, which makes early, playful experiences with tools like Scratch especially valuable. In that sense, Scratch does more than teach coding; it builds confidence, creativity, and a sense of agency in a digital world.
A senior officer with the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau has warned that children are being groomed and exploited on online gaming platforms, at what he described as an “alarming scale.”
Detective Superintendent Michael Mullen told RTÉ’s Prime Time that Gardaí are now regularly encountering cases of grooming, sexual exploitation and abuse linked to platforms such as Roblox, which is particularly popular among younger children. He said he was “very concerned” about the level of exploitation occurring “on a daily basis.”
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse linked to Childrens Roblox platform, says Senior Detective.
Roblox, which has over 150 million daily users, allows children as young as five years old to set up accounts without age verification or mandatory parental approval. During a Prime Time investigation, test accounts accessed games containing simulated sexual behaviour, dating role-play, racial slurs and suicide references; all prohibited under Roblox’s rules. Gambling-style features and users soliciting the platform’s virtual currency were also identified.
Det Supt Mullen cited cases where Irish children were coerced into buying items for other users and, in some instances, pressured to self-harm. In one case, a nine-year-old seeking virtual currency was targeted by adults demanding explicit acts in return.
Roblox is facing mounting international scrutiny, including legal actions in several US states alleging failures to protect minors. Former Garda and ex-Interpol specialist Mr Mick Moran, now CEO of Hotline.ie, said similar risks exist in Ireland. “Absolutely, children here are being groomed,” he said.
Experts highlighted the ease with which adults and children can interact on the same servers, with Prime Time observing attempts by older users to move minors onto private messaging apps. Researchers, testing Roblox, also reported widespread sexualised behaviour and abusive language.
Roblox says child safety is a “top priority” and that it removed content highlighted by the programme. It will introduce age verification for chat functions in Ireland early next year, though specialists warn that determined predators can still bypass such measures.
Gardaí and online safety advocates emphasised the vital role of parents. They advised parents to set up accounts alongside their children, know the games being played, use parental controls, and reinforce rules around avoiding private chats with strangers.
A Must Watch For Parents. NOTE:Prime Time’s full investigation airs on this evening, November 27th at 9:35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Pre-deceased by his sister Marie (Fogarty) and grandnephew John (Ryan), Mr Kennedy passed away peacefully while in the care of staff at Milford Care Centre, Co. Limerick.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; his loving wife Zita, adored daughter Karina and her partner William, brother Fr. Denis (Holy Ghost Fathers, CSSp. Dublin), sister Margaret (Ryan), sisters-in-law, brothers in law, nephews, nieces, grand nephews, grand nieces, extended relatives, neighbours, Dr. Liam Casserly and his team at the renal dept. University Hospital Limerick, and a wide circle of friends.
For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mr Kennedy, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Kennedy family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
A team of students from the University of Limerick have emerged victorious at this year’s National Robocode Competition which was held as part of the 2024 Games Fleadh at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), in Thurles County Tipperary.
ICT Learning Centre Director Mr Clem O’Donnell with National Robocode champions Mr Lewis Ubebe, Mr Maksims Gerkis and Mr Nathan Ndlovu.
The triumphant ‘UL_SeeSaw’ team, comprised of three Computer Science students from the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS), namely Mr Nathan Ndlovu, Mr Lewis Ubebe and Mr Maksims Gerkis.
The team faced tough competition from other rival teams representing three higher education institutions in the region, TUS Thurles (Tipperary), TUS Moylish (Limerick) and the South East Technological University (SETU), (Carlow).
Robocode is an annual programming contest open to first year full-time undergraduate students. It provides a platform for participants to showcase their programming prowess and enhance their skills in graphical user interface (GUI) programming, application programming interface (API) usage, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Using Java programming language, each team develops strategies for their tanks, which must autonomously navigate the battlefield, dodging enemy fire while seeking out and eliminating opponents without manual intervention.
Mr Clem O’Donnell, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Learning Centre Director at UL, reflected on the victory, which he said highlights the University’s commitment to fostering students’ ICT skills and promoting active learning. He stated, “Since 2010, UL ICT students’ participation in this competition and other similar annual competitions has been organised and managed by the ICT Learning Centre as part of our aim to enhance and broaden the students’ ICT skill-sets, promote active and student-centred learning, and to promote ICT as a career path. We are very proud of our students’ achievement, given that UL’s last victory in this competition dates back to 2016.”
Speaking on behalf of the winning team Mr Nathan Ndlovu said: “I think Robocode is an amazing competition as it allows you to demonstrate your skills using API, and also gives you experience of using Java for other purposes – we are delighted with the win!”
This year’s competition featured one team from each of the four represented institutions, engaging in intense battles throughout the morning. UL_SeeSaw’s robotic tank navigated through individual skirmishes to reach the semi-finals, where they faced off against TUS (Moylish), prevailing in a nail-biting match with a score of 7-5. This victory propelled them into the final showdown against TUS (Thurles), where UL emerged victorious with a final score of 9-6.
Vocals: American singer; songwriter and musician Amy Grant. Lyrics: Amy Grant and British Contemporary Christian singer and classic songwriter Christopher Neville Eaton.
I Need a Silent Night
I’ve made the same mistake before, Too many malls, too many stores. December traffic, Christmas rush, It breaks me till I push and shove, Children are crying while mothers are trying, To photograph Santa and sleigh. The shopping and buying and standing forever in line. What can I say? I need a silent night, a holy night, To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise. I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here, To end this crazy day with a silent night. December comes then disappears, Faster and faster every year. Did my own mother keep this pace, Or was the world a different place? Where people stayed home wishing for snow, Watching three channels on their TV. Look at us now rushing around, Trying to buy Christmas peace. I need a silent night, a holy night, To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise, I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here. To end this crazy day with a silent night. What was it like back there in Bethlehem, With peace on earth, good will toward men? Every shepherd’s out in the field, Keeping watch over their flock by night, And the glory of the Lord shone around them, And they were so afraid. And the angels said fear not for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people. For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace. I need a silent night, a holy night, To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise, I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here, To end this crazy day with a silent night. To end this crazy day with a silent night.
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