TheClassof2016

bySixthClass2016

TheClassof2016

MemoriesofSt.Finian's2008-2016

bySixthClass2016

Ourmemoriesofthepast

eightyearsinSt.Finian's

NationalSchool,Dillonstown.

Wewouldliketothankour

teachersandparentsfor

helpingusthroughthis

wonderfultimeandforbeing

thereforusthroughoutthe

eightyears.Wewouldliketo

thankourfriendsforsharing

thistimewithusand

hopefullywewillremain

friendsuntillongintothe

future.

TheClassof2016

1

TheClassof2016

2

©bySixthClass2016.SixthClass2016retainssolecopyrightto

theircontributionstothisbook.

TheBlurb-providedlayoutdesignsandgraphicelementsare

copyrightBlurbInc.ThisbookwascreatedusingtheBlurbcreative

publishingservice.Thebookauthorretainssolecopyrighttohisor

hercontributionstothisbook.

4

MySt.Finian'sMemoriesBy:MichaelCasey

MybestschoolmemorywaswinningmyfirstartcompetitioninfirstclassandIwonamarsbaregg.

MysecondmemoryinschoolwasmyfirstsprintraceinJRinfantsIcameseconditwasmyfirstmedalintheschool.

MyfavouritememoryinST.FINIAN'SwasgettingseventypercentinmathsIfeltproudofmyselfforgettingaperfectscore

inmaths.

JRINFANTS

JuniorinfantswasagreattimeIhadfunwithmyfriendsdidn'tgetmuchhomeworkitwasfun.MYbestmemorywas

gettingpupiloftheweekandapencilayellowpencilstarsonit.Istillhaveittoday.

6thCLASS

InsixthclassIwenttoDarvertoaskillschallengeforhurlingitwasthebesteventfortheschoolandIwillmissschool.

5thCLASS

Lastyearwedidtheendofyearprojectmyprojectwasontopthreecars.Igot60%thisyearIhopetogethigher.

4thCLASS

InfourthclasswedidsciencewithareoldteachermissQuinnwedidlotsofscienceeveryTuesdaywemadeatelephone

withtwoplasticcupsandstring,lightbulbandacocacolarocketthatexplodedandwenteverywhereandasmallcannon

byusingadentisttabletthatfiredoutofitstube.

2ndCLASS

InsecondclasstheclassandImadeareholyCommunioninourlocalchurchDillonstownchurch.Wemadeitona

Saturdaymorningat10:45wehadtobeinourseatatthattimeitfinishedat11:45.theclassandIwentbacktotheschool

andtooksomepictures.Afterawhilewehadsomecake.wewenthomehadabigpartyallmycousinsfromthenorth

camedown.plustheweatherwassunny.

5

MemoriesofSt.Finian'sBy:CormacOsborne

OnmyfirstdayattheschoolIdidnotknowasinglepersonthere.Mostofthepeopletherehadknowneach

otherfromplayschool.IrememberseeingloadsofteachersaroundmeandIdidnotknowwhattodo.

MyfirstgreatmemoryoftheschoolwaswhenmeandStephentookpartinadancecompetitionandwe

camesecondwithourbreakdance.Wewereonlyinseniorinfants.

AnotheroneofmymemorieswaswhenImademyfirstcommunion.Wehadabigpartybackatmyhouse

after.Wehadabigobstaclecourse(sortofabouncycastle)andmostofmycousinswereover.

MythirdfavouritememorywaswhenmeandMichealwonthethree-leggedrace.Weweresobadinthe

practicesbutwhenitmatteredintheracewewonit.

MylastgreatmemoryofmytimehereinSt.Finian’swasmyconfirmation.Itwasn’tsolongago.Afterwards

wewenttoair-boundinDundalkandImetsomepeoplefromTullydonnell.

6

MemoriesofSt.Finian'sBySaoirseHolmes

MytimesinSt.Finian’shavebeengreat.Ihavereallyenjoyedmeetingallmy

friends.Ihadseventeachersovertheeightyears.InJuniorInfantswehadMrs.

Markey.Mrs.Markeywasagreatteacher.Ihadoneissuewithherthough.My

hairALWAYSgotstuckinhercardigans.OneofmymemoriesinJuniorswas

onedaywewereplayingwiththetoyandIsawConorplayingwithatoyI

wanted.IpushedConorofftheseatsoIcouldhavethetoy.InSeniorInfants

wehadMrs.Lambe.Mrs.Lambewasafunteacher.EverymorningIwouldlook

forwardtocominginandplayingwiththeponiesanddolls.

InFirstclasswehadMrs.Bellew.Ican’tremembermuchaboutfirstclass,butI

canrememberpracticingforsportsday.Wewouldpracticeforsportsdayevery

dayforliketwoweeks.InsecondclasswehadMr.McEneany.Ihadagreat

year;wemadeourcommunionandhadgreatfun.Allofthejokeswehadthen

westillhavenow.SomeofthejokeswerethatBrianwasgoingtomarryacow

andthatMr.McEneanywouldnotbeinvited.

InthirdandfourthclasswehadMrs.Quinn.Mrs.Quinnwasthebestteacher

ever.Shewasthefairestandfriendliestteacherever.

InFifthclasswehadMr.Shevlin.Weplayedalotofrounders.Weevenplayed

aroundertournamentfifthvs.sixth.Wewerethebestatrounderssoofcourse

wewon.

OurfinalteacherwasMr.McDonnell.Mylastwasoneofthebestyears.We

probablydidmoreP.Ethanwork.Peoplecallmestinksbecauseonedaywe

wereplayingcatchandConorcouldn’tcatchmesohesaidthisstinks.Since

theneveryonecallsmestinks.

MyeightyearsinSt.Finian’shavebeenlifechanging.Ihavemetsome

amazingfriendandhavesomegreatteachers.Ilovedeverymomentofit.

7

OnmyfirstdayofschoolIrememberwalkingupthepath

whenIsawCiaránrunningforthegate,Ithoughtthatkid

musthavegottensomefright.Ialsoremembermyfirst

cheeriosmorningwhenIwassittingbesideCiaránwhenhe

ranunderthehorsethatholdsthematsandhehidunder

that.InSeniorswehadMs.Lambe,Iremembersportsday

whereIwon1STplaceinmysprintrace.Infirstclasswe

hadMs.BellewIrememberonedayweweredoingart

whenmeandConorwereplayingrock,paper,scissorsand

wehitapalateofpaintoverandontoourartt-shirts.In

secondclasswehadMr.McEneanythatwasourFirstHoly

Communionyear.IremembermeandÁinegottodothe

readingsatcommunion.Whenwewerein3rdand4th

classwehadMs.Quinn.Irememberwhenwewent

swimminginDrumcarandhadracesinthepool.Thosetwo

yearswerefunandexciting.In5thwehadMr.Shevlin,I

rememberinfifthwehadreallygoodfunatP.E.In6thclass

wehadMr.McDonnellIrememberwhenwehadthe

cheeriosbreakfastmorningwhenIwasaroundallmyclose

friendsandteachers.

MemoriesofSt.Finian'sByStephenDoyle

8

MyMemoriesByÁineBurke

MyeightyearsatSt.Finian’shasbeenthebestyearsofmy

life.OnmyfirstdayatschoolIwaslookingforwardto

cominginandmeetingMissMarkeyandmyfriends.I

alreadyknewElli,JamesandConorfromplayschool.WhenI

gottoschooltherewerelotsofnoiseandeveryonewas

excitedandsomepeoplewerenervousaboutgoingin.My

firstyearatSt.Finian’swentreallyfastandbeforeIknewit

weweregettingreadyforournextyearatschoolandforour

summerholidays.InseniorInfantsMissLambetaughtus.

Shealwaysdidreallycoolstuffwithus.InsecondclassMr.

Mc.Eneanythoughtus.WealsomadeareCommunionsowe

wereverybusygettingreadyforthatandwealwayswentto

thechurchtopractice.Butwheneverweweren’tpracticing

forfirstCommunionwewoulddoart,scienceandP.E.In

thirdandforthMissQuinntaughtus.Irememberinthird

classwhenwewentonavisittoNew-Grange.Itwasreally

fun.InfifthClassMr.Shevlintaughtus.Wedidlotsofcool

stuff.Hetaughtushowtoplaylotsofdifferentsportslike

rounders,tagrugby,andlotsmoresports.Inroundersitwas

fifthagainstsixth.Itwasgreatfun.Butoutofalltheyearsat

schoolmylastyearwasthebest.

9

MyMemoriesofStFinian'sN.S.ByBrianO'Neill

IrememberinjuniorinfantsonthefirstdayofschoolIwentintotheclassroomand

ourclassteacherwasMs.Markey.ShetoldustositdownsoIsatdownsoquickly

besideaboycalledCasper.AtbreakIsawJamesandIwentuptohimandasked

himifhewantedtoplayandhesaidOK.AfewdayslaterCiaráncameintoclass

withhismotherandandhewasterrified.SowhenhismotherleftCiaránchased

herdownthepathandwouldnotletherleave.SoCiaránwasbroughtbackup

andhismotherleft.

InseniorinfantswehadanewteachernamedMs.Lambe.Onthedayofthebig

breakfastandIwasreallylookingforwardtoitbecausetheyservedmyfavourite

cerealcheerios.Iate3bowlsofcheeriosIlovedthemsomuch.

InfirstclasswehadanewclassteachernamedMs.Bellew.Closertothe

timeoftheBarmeathcastletourMs.Bellewtoldustolookoutforsomeleavesand

Icollectedoneanditwasthewrongleaf.

InsecondclasswehadMr.McEneanyandIknewexactlyhowtopushMr.Mc

Eneany’sbuttons.IcalledhimteachandeverydayIaskedhimforapencilandI

hadloadsbutInevergaveitback.

InthirdandfourthclasswehadMs.Quinnandthirdclassgetsontopenbutsix

peoplegotontopenbeforeIdidandtheywereSaoirse,Áine,James,Cormac,

StephenandOliver.Iwassomadbutafewweekslatertherestofusdidgetonto

penandIwassohappy.Infourthclasswewereallowedtodothethreelegged

raceandmypartnerwasStephenandwecamesecondbehindMichaeland

Cormac.

InFifthclasswehadMrShevlinandhedidalotoffunP.E.likerounders,

unihocanddodgeballbutthenheleftonacareerbreaksothentherewouldhave

beennomorefunP.E.but...ThenMr.McDonnellcameandhewasthebest

becausehedidthesameactivitiesandheaddedin2moreactivities,Tagrugby

andNetball.Hewasthebest.SothatismymemoriesofSt.Finian's.Mynext

journeyisofftoCBSinDundalkIwillmissthisschool.BYE!

10

MemoriesofSt.Finian'sByElliGeorge

JuniorInfantswasafuntime.OurteacherwasMs

Markey.Wewoulddoalotofcolouringanddrawing

mainly.InJuniorInfantsCairánhidunderthetableatthe

cheeriosbreakfastmorningbecausehesaidhewas

scaredofcheerios.InSecondClassImademy

communionitwasagooddaywithalotofpractisingand

walkingdowntothechurchmostofthedaysleadingupto

communion.InThirdClassIhadMrsQuinnasmy

teacher.WereadthebookCharlotte'sWebandthewhole

classenjoyedit.InFifthClassIwonthecreditunionart

competitionwithanowlmadeoutofloombands.Toward

theendofFifthClassIrepresentedtheschoolatapúc

fadaandIcamesecond!Attheendofthatyearwehada

rounderscompetitionFifthagainstSixthandmyclass

won.InSixthClassSwipeTVsentoutacameramanto

recordfootageforwhenJamesandOliverwenttothe

studiotoplayoffagainstanotherschoolbutwelost

becauseOliversaidbullcowinsteadofbulldog.Alsoin

SixthClassImademyconfirmationourFifthandSixth

classmadeitwithanotherlocalschool.InSixthClassI

representedtheschoolinacamogieskillstest.Ireally

enjoyedprimaryschoolandIwillmissit.

11

MemoriesofSt.Finian's

ByCiaránMurphy

Iremembermyfirstdayinschool,Istartedafewdays

late.Iwasreallynervoussomymamwalkedmeintothe

class.ShetriedtoleavebutIchasedherdownthepath.So

shebroughtmebacktoclassandthenleft.

IalsorememberourfirstbreakfastdaywhereIgotscared

ofthecheerios.SoIbegancryandthenIhidunderthe

horseforthemats.Iendedupsittingbesidemybrother

Brendaninsixthclass.

IrememberonedayinseniorinfantsIbroughtinaspud

andaspudgunandstartedshootingatpeopleuntilitwas

takenoffme.

WhenIwasinfirstclasswehadMs.Bellew.Wewere

tryingtofindouthowmanycupsofwateritwouldtaketo

fillabasin.IyelledoutboringandMs.Bellewspiltthe

basinalloverherdesk.

WellinsecondclassImademyFirstCommunionand

Mr.McEneanywasnothappybecauseheaskedfornohair

spikedupbutIspikeditupanyway!

InthirdclasswewenttoNewgrangeandthatwaspretty

cool.InfourthclasswewenttoKnowthandDowththat

wasalsoprettycool.

InfifthclasswehadMr.Shevlinhewassomuchfun.Atthe

endoftheyearwehadarounderstournamentandguess

whatwewon.

InsixthclasswegotanewteacherMr.McDonnellheis

reallyfun.WedoalotofPEandDrama,plusheisreally

funny.

12

MymemoriesofSt.Finian'sbyConorBoyle

JuniorInfants

OnthefirstdayofschoolIwaswalkingupwithmymam.IsawCiarán

runningout,thismademescared.Butmammademegoin.WhenIgot

inmamtoldmetositbesideOliver,atfirstIthoughthisnamewasweird.

ButwhenIsatbesidehimwebecamebestfriendsfromthefirstdayto

now.

SeniorInfants

WhenwewereinSeniorsMs.LambewoulddostorytimeonaFriday

evening.OneThursdaynightIgotnosleep.SoduringstorytimeIfell

asleepfor15minsandnoonerealised.

1stclass

InfirstclassMs.Bellewwasourteacher.SheisOliver’smam.This

mademescaredtogotoOliver’shouse.WheneverIwentoverImade

mybrotherCiaráncome.OneFridayIreallydidn’twanttogoover

becauseonThursdayIhadgottenintotroubleinclassbecauseIwas

talkingtoStephen.

2ndClass

Whenwewerein2ndclasswemadeourFirstCommunion.Thistooka

lotofworkandalongtime.WhenwefinallymadeourCommunionwe

sentoffheliumballoonswithtagsonthem.Ourplanwastoseewhich

onewentthefurthest.Minewasneverfound.

3rdclass

13

MymemoriesofSt.Finian'sbyConorBoyle

InthirdclassMs.QuinnletusdoadraughtstournamentatChristmasand

Easter.StephenwontheChristmasoneandIwasknockedoutinthefirst

roundbyOliver.IntheEastertournamentitwasawholedifferentstory.In

thefirstroundInarrowlybeatJames.InthequarterfinalIcruisedbyÁine.

Thenitwasthesemi-finalIwasupagainstOliver.Ijustbeathim.Inthe

finalitwasmevsStephen.Itlasted20mins.IntheendIwon!

4thclass

In4thclasswewerepracticingforourChristmasplay.IwasaShepherd

andsowasÁineandBrian.Inourscenewehadtopretendtobeasleep.

DuringpracticeIaccidentallyfellasleep.Brianwokemeupbyelbowing

me.StraightafterwardswhenIshookmyselfupIfeltlikeelbowinghimso

Idid.

5thclass

In5thclasswewereallsittingdowndoingmathswhenJamessaidthat

hewasgoingtothetoilet.Wethoughtnothingofitatthetime.Buthe

didn’tcomeback.WetoldMr.Shevlinafter20minutes.Jameshadgone

outtookhisbikeandcycledaway.Mr.ShevlinandMr.McEneanygotin

thecarandwentlookingforhim.

6thclass

In6thclasswehavearounderstournamentgoingonagainst5thclass.It

isabestof7games.Itiscalled"TheWorldSeries".Itiscurrently2-0to

6thclass.Inthelastgamewebeat5thclass18-3.Ihad3homeruns.

14

MemoriesofSt.Finian'sByJamesMarley

WhenIstartedoutinSt.Finian’s,IwasapupilinthelastclassofMissMarkey.It’s

wasprobablymyfiveyearoldmindmakingthingsseemworsethantheywere,butI

don'tremembermuchaboutJuniorInfants.Everybodybutmehasfondmemoriesof

ourfirstbreakfastmorning,whenCiaránhidunderthemetalhorsethingthatholds

themats.EventhoughIprobablyhavesomeothermemoriesofthatyearstuffedinthe

backofmyhead,itwouldtakealongtimetodigup.InSeniorInfants,Iwasapupil

inthefirstclassofMissLambe,andIhavemuchfondermemoriesofthatyear.Like

storytime,wherewe’dallgrabapillow,putitonthefloorandlistentoMissLambe

tellusastory.Thenthetransitiontohomework,goinghomeattentothreeandanew

teachercalledMissBellewarrivedwhenIcameinto1stclass.Thiswasmyevolution

fromincrediblyshytoawkwardlyshy,Istartedtalkingtopeople.Itmayhavebeenin

1stclassorinJuniorInfantsbutatsomepointItriedtomakefriends,soItalkedto

Cormac,lookingforcommoninterestsandIaskedhimwhatheliked,hesaidfootball.

SinceIwasdesperateforfriends,IliedandsaidIlikedittoo.Thatbeganayearof

astoundingawkwardnessbetweenhimandI.Nextwemoveonto2ndclass,inwhich

theprincipal,Mr.McEneanywouldteachus.IrememberonetimewhenIwastrying

toexplaininfinity,andMr.McEneanytoldustobequiet,soIhadthebrilliantidea

oftalkingrightafterhefinishedhissentence,inhopethateverybodywouldjoinin.It

didn’twork,Igotintrouble.ThenIwentinto3rdand4thclass,inbothofwhichMiss

Quinnwouldteachus,nothingparticularlyspecialaboutthatyear.Thenin5thclassI

wasacompleteandutteridiot.Igotverylazy,Istartedtonotdomyhomework,

whichledtothetimewhenIranawayfromschool,yep,Iwasanidiot.Sonowwe

comeinto6thclass,whenMr.McDonnelliscurrentlyteachingme,atthetimeof

writingthispage.SosoonenoughI’llbeleavingforsecondaryschool,so,inadvance,

I’dliketosay“goodbye!”

MyfirstmemoryofSt.Finian’sisonthefirstday

wereCiaráncameinandhewascrying.Thatwasnot

whatsurprisedmebutthefactthattheytookaway

thecarIwasplayingwithandgaveittohimasifI

wasnotthereatall.Insecondclasseveryonemade

theircommunionIsatupinthebalconyandwatched.

IntheendImissedthewholeinstrumentalbutIstill

gotmybagofcrisps.In6thclasswewereoBferedtogo

onagameshowandJamesandIwontheraBDlesowe

wentuptoRTÉstudios.Ononeofthepicture

questionsitshowedapictureofabullandadogandI

screamedoutatthetopofmyvoicebull-cowinfront

ofthecamerabutatleastIgottomeetRyanTubridy!

Ithinkthisisthebestschoolyoucangotobecauseof

theadvantageyougetfromthesmallsizeofit.

MemoriesofSt.Finian's

ByOliverBellew

15

Clever

Athletic

Musical

Strong

Fast

Artistic

16

Generous

Unusual

Quick-witted

Creative

Intelligent

TheClassof2016

17

TheSixthClasspupilsof2016havemadeusallveryproud.Ihadthepleasure

ofteachingthemwhentheywereinSecondClassandIthoroughlyenjoyedthat

year.Wehadgreatfun,andIaminvitedtotheweddingofatleastoneofthe

pupilsinthefuture.Iamreallylookingforwardtoit!Theyhaveledtheschool

andshowngreatexampletotheyoungerchildren.Theyhavewelcomedall

visitorsandaretrueambassadorsforSt.Finian's.Theyhavealwaysbeenopen

andreadytoexpresstheiropinionsandboycantheytalk!Theyhavebecome

trulyinvolvedinthedecisionmakingintheschool,throughtheirinvolvement

withGreenSchools'Committees,ActiveSchools,SchoolAssemblyand

updatingtheschoolwebsiteeachFriday.Theyhavealwaysbeengreatfunto

teachandeachteacherhasfondmemoriesofthem.Theyarecertainlyalively

bunch!

WehopetheyknowthattherewillalwaysbeawelcomefortheminSt.Finian's

andthatweareimmenselyproudofthem.

Standtallandholdyourheadsuphigh!

Gon-éiríanbótharlibhgoléir

PádraigMcEneany

TheClassof2016

18

Teachingthisgroupofboysandgirlshasbeenanextremelyenjoyableandtrulyunforgettable

experience.TheyareamongstthefinestyoungadultsthatIhavehadthepleasuretocomeacross.It

isveryraretocomeacrossaclasswhereeveryoneisaclosefriendofthepersonbesidethemand

thatisoneofthethingsthatmakethisclasstrulyspecial.Ihavenodoubtthatthesefriendshipsshall

lastlongaftertheirtimeinprimaryschool.Whilstthisclassisfullofuniquecharacters,eachblessed

withuniquequalities,thebondoffriendshipandlevelofteamworkbetweenthesestudentsistruly

fantastic.Inthisclass,thereisafantasticmixofcharacterandconfidencethathashelpedthemin

beingrolemodelstotheyoungerclasses,ajobthattheyhavedoneunquestionablywellby

showcasingmodelbehavioursandattitudes.

Thisgrouphaveproventhemselvestobeahard-workinganddeterminedbunchwhoovertheyear

dedicatedthemselvestohelpingandimprovingthisschoolinsomanyways.Theyconstantlybrought

greatpridewhencalledupontorepresenttheschoolonvariousoccasions,whetheritwassports

events,creditunionquizzes,orindeedanyotheroccasion.Ihavehighhopesforeachofthese

studentsandlookforwardtohearingabouttheirgreatfutureachievementswhenwemeetinthe

future.Ihopethattheywilllookbackontheirmemoriesofherewiththesamefondnessthateachof

theirteacherswillrememberthemwith.Ithasbeenagreatprivilegetohavetaughteachandevery

oneofthisgreatgroup.

PádraigMcDonnell

Tothegraduatingclassof2016

YouweremyveryfirstclasswhenIarrivedinSt.Finian'sandIhavefondmemoriesofyouall.Ihave

watchedproudlyasyouhavegrownfromtinytotsintomatureyoungpeopleandIhopethatIhave

helpedyouonyourjourney.Ihavenodoubtthatyouwillallthoroughlyenjoyyoursecondaryschool

yearsasmuchasyouhaveenjoyedyourtimehereatSt.Finian's.Docomebackandvisitus-you

willalwaysbewelcome.

LoveandbestWishes,

Ms.Lambe

Memories

TheClassof2016

bySixthClass2016

TheClassof2016

MemoriesofSt.Finian's2008-2016

bySixthClass2016

Ourmemoriesofthepast

eightyearsinSt.Finian's

NationalSchool,Dillonstown.

Wewouldliketothankour

teachersandparentsfor

helpingusthroughthis

wonderfultimeandforbeing

thereforusthroughoutthe

eightyears.Wewouldliketo

thankourfriendsforsharing

thistimewithusand

hopefullywewillremain

friendsuntillongintothe

future.