St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

Last week we were honoured to welcome some members of the victorious Birr intermediate hurling team to the school. Traditionally there would be a big whole school welcome for a county win but COVID safety meant a small outdoor gathering with 5th and 6th class bubbles . captain Mick Mulrooney and coach Johnny Kelly along with players told the boys about the great win and the importance of working hard to achieve these days – there were many tough days and great sacrifice which led to this point so we hope the boys will get inspiration for this visit. It was heartening to hear how these men fondly remember starting their hurling at school and of the friends they still have from playing the game together – our boys were encouraged to make the most of the excellent school coaching now with Adrian Clancy- the boys got some lovely photos with the cup and some hurls signed and please God the next time Birr come back with a county title we will lift the roof off the hall with a welcome 🙏

Delighted and honoured to welcome back Past pupil and rising rugby star Ronan Loughnane back to our school. Ronan proudly presented the school with his Ireland u20 jersey – Ronan spoke with some classes and the boys loved to hear about how hard work and self belief are the key ingredients in following your dream – a young Ronan ( pictured ) was at the school back in 2013 when another famous past pupil Peter Dooley presented the school with his Ireland u20 jersey – young Ronan returned home and told his dad Barry that some day he would have an Ireland rugby jersey on the school wall beside Peters – inspirational stuff !!
We wish Ronan well in his exciting career and we hope that he continues to work hard towards the goal of a full international cap – boys of Birr – dream big ! Denis R @BirrRugby

The sunny weather 🌞and being back at school with friends in senior infants – Magic !! 😎

Thank you again to Birr OEC for the amazing opportunity handed to some of our 5t class boys last week –
They were volunteers for KAYAK instructor training on the shannon – Great fun!

Happy Birthday St Brendans PS Birr – 142 years old today ! – thanks to Brother Denis for joining Mr Crofton at school gate to acknowledge the proud heritage of Presentation Brothers who founded our lovely school back on Oct 2nd 1878 / covid safe celebrations today to acknowledge the event and please God we can create a gathering in future years – lovely photos of some of our school community this morning ❤️

Thanks to Glanmore foods for helping us celebrate school birthday with 200 individually wrapped muffins today so all the boys could enjoy the birthday in a covid safe way – 😀

3rd- 6th class groups

had a great time earlier today at Birr OEC helping Yanni and the team with their instructor training – thanks for the amazing opportunity guys and for doing so in such a safe way 👍

Coaching with Adrian is going great with all classes. Boys from 2nd class accepted the donation of sliotars , helmets and hurls from Birr GAA Club presented by
Michael and Charlie
Loughnane,
Mile buiochas 🙂

Gaelic Football team

A great season for our schools Gaelic Football team. The boys really bought into the idea of playing the game for September and October and we had huge numbers 70+ playing the lunchtime league with Mr Crofton. The panel of 31 boys then training each week under guidance of Mr Kennedy and great to see such good numbers from 6th class this year playing.
They started off the campaign with a good win over Dromakeenan and then also won against a weakened Banagher side and young Gaelscoil Tullamore side to reach the final in St Brendans park. The boys really had it put up to them by a strong Banagher team with a goal only in it at half time. That’s when the men stood up and led by some outstanding performances by 6th class they eased away with 5 mins to go. The honour of lifting the cup fell to Adriano Szoma as captain.
Thanks to Mr Kennedy for his passion and dedication to the team– the school staff who supported the team as various matches and attended in great numbers at the final and to the great parents for support as each match too Full report in this weeks midland tribune and we also hope to write our school magazine after mid term with some reports—

Catch and kick football
8 teams of 80 boys from 3rd—6th took part in this fun league each lunchtime. We are down to semi final stage now with 4 teams remaining– great to see boys try football for the first time and enjoy it so much.

Kayak level 1 training course– Our 6th class boys got a fantastic opportunity last week as they each earned certs from The Irish Kayak Association of Ireland for level 1 kayak skills. The OEC organised through the excellent Yanni and he had the boys out paddling the Shannon and overcoming their fears and anxiety in o time at all. It was great to see the boys excel at this activity and how many attend the OEC centre.