|
|
Children’s Books Ireland is a national organisation that champions, through its many activities, a love of reading in children and young people. One of its most recent activities has been to research lists of ‘must read’ books for primary and secondary school pupils in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Children’s Books Ireland, like parents and teachers, love to hear children acclaim, ‘This book is class!’ and that’s why their latest resource is entitled ‘Class Reads’.
They have drawn together six lists of recommended reading for pupils from Junior Infants to Fourth Year. Titles include books by Irish authors and books in the Irish language. In addition, each of the six ‘Class Reads’ resources includes story summaries, guidance on quality questions to ask about picture books, tips for reading aloud, as well as links to other excellent reading resources.
We highly recommend that any parent or teacher looking for books that will inspire a love of reading should check out the ‘Class Reads’ resources and videos, all available to access HERE.
They really are ‘class’ resources!
Thursday, April 22nd next, is ‘World Earth Day’ and the Rediscovery Centre and the Natural History Museum of Ireland are offering a unique and free opportunity for primary school pupils.
This free 1 hour online event, for 3rd to 6th class pupils, takes place from 11:30 am to 12:30pm, as already stated on April 22nd. The session, entitled “Cool Fossils and Hot (Climate) Facts”, begins with a half hour exploration of Ice Age fossils from Ireland. Pupils will be enabled to learn about the Woolly Mammoth, Spotted Hyena, Giant Deer, Brown Bear and Grey Wolf.
The second half of this not-to-be missed session, invites pupils to learn about climate change. Pupils will be enabled to investigate how CO2 causes global warming, with the help of some fascinating experiments.
To take part in this event and to view its associated resources you can register via eventbrite.ie, by simply clicking HERE.
The theme for this year’s ‘World Earth Day’ is ‘Together, We Can Restore Our Earth’.
For more information on ‘World Earth Day’ visit HERE.
After capturing the attention of the Horse-Racing world at Cheltenham 2021 with her Champion Hurdle win aboard ‘Honeysuckle‘ and ending the week as top rider, Rachel Blackmore today has made history as the first female rider to win the world’s most famous race, the Aintree Grand National on ‘Minella Times‘, for Waterford trainer Henry De Bromhead and owner J.P. McManus.
Ms Blackmore, the daughter of Charles and Eimir Blackmore, of Killenaule, Co. Tipperary, kept her mount out of trouble throughout the race and struck the front after the 29th and 2nd last fence. A fantastic jump at the last propelled ‘Minella Times‘ into a few lengths lead over ‘Balko de Flos‘, and Rachel never relinquished her lead despite the long run in from the famous Elbow at Aintree.
This is a famous achievement for Ms Blackmore, being the first female to win the Grand National. She has shown what hard work and dedication to her craft can do, and it is a proud day for Co. Tipperary, as her Star shone brightest on the biggest stage of all on Grand National day.
She has shown that when given the opportunities, this Tipperary lady is as fine a jockey as ever produced from within these shores, male or female.
Exquisite Sensory Garden at
Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipp.
A well designed sensory garden epitomises the adage that “gardening adds years to your life and life to your years”. Two-Mile-Borris village, near Thurles, in County Tipperary, is home to an exquisite sensory garden that provides enormous benefits both to its visitors and to the local community.
What is a Sensory Garden?
A sensory garden is a garden that is designed to stimulate all five main senses (sight, sound, taste, touch and smell), and in doing so, has been shown to have many and diverse benefits for its visitors.
What are the benefits of a Sensory Garden?
Sensory gardens are associated with multiple benefits, including having a positive impact on our cognition, physical fitness, creativity, mental health and well-being.
In terms of cognition, building and caring for a sensory garden provides ample opportunities for young and old to acquire new knowledge and skills. Planting and playing in a sensory garden can also help to improve fine and gross motor skills.
When it comes to physical fitness, any gardener will tell you that gardens and exercise go hand in hand, whether you are digging, weeding or simply walking outdoors and enjoying the sunshine. A sensory garden, by virtue of its stimulating design, encourages movement, as visitors explore all that it has to offer by way of touch, taste, sight, sound and smell.
Sensory gardens and the role they can play in supporting mental health and well-being is widely recognised. Different sensory experiences can immediately lift our mood, helping us to feel calm or joy. The very act of sitting outdoors and taking in the sights and sounds that nature has to offer, can help alleviate our stress levels.
For children and adults with sensory processing needs and other special needs, sensory gardens are praised for their therapeutic benefits and the opportunities they provide for sensory stimulation, emotional regulation, language experiences and social skills development.
The Two-Mile-Borris sensory garden, in terms of creativity, is a place of magic and wonder for all visitors. The materials and plants have been purposely selected to stimulate our imaginations, in addition to our senses. Life size insects and fantastical structures provide wonderful opportunities for artistic expression and storytelling, both now and into the future.
Apart from the positive impact the Two-Mile-Borris sensory garden has had on the local villagers themselves; situated beside the local primary school it has now also become undeniably beneficial as an additional outdoor classroom. Indeed, under the supervision of Two-Mile-Borris Development Association, many of the wonderful sensory items within the garden have been either constructed or introduced into this area by the local school pupils themselves, thus making this area, “Their Special Place”.
Where can I learn more about Sensory Gardens?
There is no one design for a sensory garden, but all five senses must be represented and there are certain plants and materials that you will typically find in a sensory garden because of their stimulating nature.
To find out more about sensory gardens why not visit this wonderful imaginative garden in Two-Mile-Borris and explore its selection of plants and materials that aim to stimulate touch, taste, sight, sound and smell.
This garden, like all sensory gardens nationwide, has just three simple rules, (1) No dogs to avoid dog fouling; (2) No alcohol consumption; (3) No smoking.
Two-Mile-Borris Development Association are anxious to emphasise that their local village sensory garden was initially the brainchild of the late Ann Commins. Today it stands as a lasting memorial to her creativity, her total dedication and true community spirit.
Thanks to the work of Liz & Philip Quinn, (Stonemad Sculpture Workshops), Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
A special thanks also to Development Association Chairperson Michelle Maher-King & Treasurer Maeve Russell, for their editorial assistance and continued promotion of this truly remarkable village asset.
It was with great personal sadness and regret that we learned of the death, on Sunday 4th April 2021, of Mr Tomás de Veale, Glenbane, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Mr de Veale passed away peacefully at his place of residence.
His passing is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Margaret, sister Mairead, sister-in-law Helen, Bridie and Kathleen, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
Mr de Veale will repose for Requiem Mass, attended by family members only, in Holycross Abbey, Thurles on Wednesday morning, April 7th, at 11.30am, followed by interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
For the many persons who would have liked to have attended the funeral service for Mr de Veale, but are unable to do so, due to current coronavirus pandemic restrictions; same can be viewed online HERE.
[NB: Due to National Public Health Guidelines, regarding C-19 virus restrictions; those attending (limited to 10 family members), will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing and face covering.]
The extended de Veale family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: House private.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
|
Support Us Help keep Thurles.info online by donating below. Thank you.
Total Donated 2026: €40.00
Thank You!
Daily Thurles Mass Livestream
|
Recent Comments