Education

Education Content

Education is at the heart of The Heritage Councils work programme. With knowledge comes a greater sense of responsibility and appreciation of the value of Heritage as it contributes to our quality of life.

Directory of Heritage Specialists

The directory includes names and contact details of individuals who are experts on various aspects of Ireland’s heritage, many of whom have experience of working in a classroom situation, and who have agreed to take part in the scheme. This year the directory is organised on a county basis.

Eileen Kennedy Folklore/Traditions/Customs

Subject(s):	Folklore/Traditions/Customs
Counties catered for:	Westmeath
Description	Eileen presents the stories of the Finnaíocht through the medium of art and storytelling, using her own imaginative illustrations to bring the children on a stimulating journey back through the mists of time. Eileen is a secondary school art teacher, artist, professional actor and drama facilitator. Through her storytelling Eileen brings to life the heroes, the love stories, the tragedies. Coupled with her beautiful illustrations presented on big screen and DVD format, the children receive a fully rounded experience of the stories and memories that will remain in their hearts for years to come. As part of Eileen's programme, she encourages dialogue with the children, giving a more in-depth understanding of this time and the resonating messages that are in these stories to guide us through life. A visit may comprise an hour-long storytelling session, or a half of full day storytelling/ drama workshop.
Class:	M - Middle (3rd
Additional Information:	Special Needs 5 Visit Series Visit Outside County Practical/Hands-On Activities
Contact Details:	Address: Croebech Lainne, Lynn, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Home: 044 934 2932 Mobile: 087 629 4975 Email: eibhleen@gmail.com Website: www.mythicalwonder.com

Sophie Préteseille Environmental,Landscape

Subject(s):	Environmental,Landscape
Counties catered for:	Waterford
Description	Sophie is a Geologist and has been working with children and the general public for the last 10 years, making geology an accessible science. Topics covered range from rocks, fossils, volcanoes, earthquakes, dinosaurs, plate tectonics, the Earth, energy sources, fossil fuels, the solar system, geological times, the Ice Age and more. With interactive presentations, specimens to look at and practical fun hands-on (making volcanoes, casting fossils...); the Earth will have no secret after Sophie's visit to the classroom. When possible, a field trip can be organised in the vicinity of the school so the pupils, through developing their observation skills, can become more familiar with their environment, the local geology and how the landscape formed.
Class:	M - Middle (3rd
Additional Information:	Special Needs 5 Visit Series Visit Outside County Field Trips Practical/Hands-On Activities
Contact Details:	Address: Copper Coast Geopark, Knockmahon Lodge, Bunmahon, Co. Waterford. Work: 051 292 828 Mobile: 087 274 9488 Email: sophie@coppercoastgeopark.com Website: www.coppercoastgeopark.com

Grace O' Sullivan Environmental,Wildlife/Habitat

Subject(s):	Environmental,Wildlife/Habitat
Counties catered for:	Waterford
Description	Visits by Grace can be tailor made to suit the requirements of the school. Grace offers field trips exploring habitats in close proximity to the school, e.g. hedgerows, woodlands, shoreline. Grace also does exciting interactive 40 minute workshops in the classroom. A diversity of organisms from coastal and woodland habitats are brought into the classroom for identification purposes and discussions on the concept of biodiversity and to look at foodwebs/foodchains. Grace has a 1 hour slide-show called 'A virtual tour of coastal habitats'. The pupils are led on a virtual tour of the rocky shoreline, sandy beach, shingle embankment, sand dunes, and salt marsh lagoon ecosystems. Grace does a hands-on activity on the issue of waste management and recycling, looking at the 3 'R's' ethos and getting the pupils energetic about waste.
Class:	I - Infant (Juni
Additional Information:	Special Needs 5 Visit Series Visit Outside County Field Trips Practical/Hands-On Activities Gaeilge
Contact Details:	Address: 31 Crobally Heights, Tramore Co. Waterford. Home: 051 390 901 Mobile: 086 154 6891 Email: gmfosullivan@eircom.net

Mary Flynn Environmental,Agriculture/Food

Subject(s):	Environmental,Agriculture/Food
Counties catered for:	Waterford
Description	Mary's visit to a school will concentrate on the agriculture heritage of Ireland. She has a knowledge of all aspects of farming life, e.g. dairy, tillage and beef. Subjects to be covered could include: the life cycle of a cow, where milk comes from, the making of butter and how much produce we eat comes from agricultural based enterprise. She will illustrate/demonstrate the practise surrounding butter making and bread making and will encourage the children to participate and try it out for themselves. Mary would hope that following her visit to a school that it would 'plant the seed' of thought and question in the childrens minds about where the food they eat and enjoy comes from. Schools are also welcome to visit the farm.
Class:	I - Infant (Juni
Additional Information:	Special Needs 5 Visit Series Field Trips Practical/Hands-On Activities Gaeilge
Contact Details:	Address: Feddens, Carrick-On-Suir Co. Waterford. Home: 051 646 102 Work: 086 220 6007 Mobile: 086 220 6007 Email: feddensflynn@eircom.net

Sean Watts Wildlife/Habitat,Museums and Sites

Subject(s):	Wildlife/Habitat,Museums and Sites
Counties catered for:	Tipperary
Description	Sean's principal study is the flora and fauna of surrounding boglands, harvesting of peat (old and new), history and folklore of Derrynaflann Island Killenaule, Co. Tipperary; the discovery of the Derrynaflann hoard in 1980, its study and comparisons with the Ardagh Chalice, etc. Sean has researched the 1939 schools folklore from the microfilm at the County library in Thurles and has also visited and lectured at the Cistersian Monastery at Kilcooley Abbey, near Urlingford, and has published the History and Folklore of his own parish. His field trips include Derrynaflann Island and Kilcooley Abbey, Warhouse Ballingarry and Maradyke Old Mining Village and its history. Sean also provides a lecture and on site visit to the now disused Laffansbridge Railway Station. Sean will present a display of polished bog timbers and laminated nature photos. A tour of local historical sites, church ruins, holy wells, tower houses or a lecture on old crafts and famous names in the locality is also available.
Class:	M - Middle (3rd
Additional Information:	Special Needs 5 Visit Series Field Trips
Contact Details:	Address: Killenaule, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Home: 052 56372 Work: 052 56372

Michael O' Donoghue Landscape,Archaeology

Subject(s):	Landscape,Archaeology
Counties catered for:	Tipperary
Description	Michael is a retired teacher. Thirty years of teaching Irish and Geography and his love for the natural wonders of the local mountains give him a unique blend of geographic, historic and placename knowledge that he can use to bring some of the local natural and ancient built heritage to life for the students. His particular area of interest is the Comeragh Mountains. Field trips to glacial features such as Coumshingaun and to Bronze Age sites such as Tooreen are the centre-piece of this heritage experience. The children will be encouraged to adapt a hands-on approach: measuring, recording and taking photos in the field. A prior visit to the school would include a talk/presentation on the glacial features or pre-historic site in the mountains to be visited and use of 1:25,000 maps to prepare students for field trips.
Class:	S - Senior (5th
Additional Information:	Visit Outside County Field Trips Practical/Hands-On Activities Gaeilge
Contact Details:	Address: Seskin, Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary. Home: 051 640 760 Mobile: 087 292 7077 Email: mauraandrita@eircom.net

Peter Madden Wildlife/Habitat,Education

Subject(s):	Wildlife/Habitat,Education
Counties catered for:	Tipperary
Description	Peter is an environmentalist with a wide understanding of natural habitats and creatures. A native of the South Midlands he is an enthusiast for all aspects of the Dúchas of this area. His aim is to increase environmental awareness and promote a love of nature. Ecology - a sense of the beauty and wonder of creation, and the role of knowledge, respect and values in living in right relationship with nature are part of the day. Each school visit is tailored to take advantage of the unique opportunities presented by each school location and season. A visit may comprise an interactive presentation exploring the wonders and variety of our natural and human heritage. This is usually followed by a field trip, which will allow the children to release their native curiosity and attachment to their natural surroundings.
Class:	I - Infant (Juni
Additional Information:	Special Needs 5 Visit Series Visit Outside County Field Trips Practical/Hands-On Activities Gaeilge
Contact Details:	Address: Derrylahan Park, Walshpark, Rathcabbin, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Mobile: 086 814 2951 Fax: 0505 22534 Email: petergmadden@gmail.com

Clare Bohan Archaeology,Architecture/Built Herit

Subject(s):	Archaeology,Architecture/Built Herit
Counties catered for:	Tipperary
Description	Clare has a BA degree in Archaeology and History from UCC. She is interested in presenting local history and monuments in the local landscape in an enjoyable and interactive way. Visits could include field trips to local sites/monuments and incorporate activities like recording, measuring, taking rubbings, etc., and illustrated talks with photographs, maps and slides. A visit can be tailored to address any aspect of archaeology or heritage the teacher might wish me to explore with the class.
Class:	M - Middle (3rd
Additional Information:	5 Visit Series Visit Outside County Field Trips Practical/Hands-On Activities
Contact Details:	Address: Blackcastle Road, Templemore Co. Tipperary. Home: 0504 32333 Mobile: 086 873 4665 Email: bohanclare@hotmail.com

Honor Bugler Flynn Wildlife/Habitat

Subject(s):	Wildlife/Habitat
Counties catered for:	Tipperary
Description	Honor holds a BSc (Hons) awarded by UCD and a H.Dip in Edcuation. She taught science and biology with South Tipperary VEC for ten years in St. Ailbes School, Rosanna Road, Tipperary town. Honor is at present studying for the Hibernia Conversion Course to primary teaching. She has a taxidermy collection of a badger, fox, red squirrel, pheasant and hedgehog with accompanying worksheets suitable for all classes. Children are always interested in the story of our native red squirrel and the threat posed to it by the rival grey. The programme is complemented by song tapes and lyric sheets lora Rua, lora Rua Thuas sa chrann.... younger classes enjoy enacting Aesops Fables using the stuffed fox as a prop.
Class:	I - Infant (Juni
Additional Information:	Special Needs 5 Visit Series Visit Outside County Field Trips Practical/Hands-On Activities Gaeilge
Contact Details:	Address: Sunnyside, St. Michaels Road, Tipperary Town. Home: 062 51364 Work: 087 954 9742 Mobile: 087 954 9742 Email: sunnyside@imagine.ie

Bridget Regan (O' Connell) Archaeology,Folklore/Traditions/Cust

Subject(s):	Archaeology,Folklore/Traditions/Cust
Counties catered for:	Sligo
Description	14 years of experience of Primary School work drawing inspiration from a huge variety of subjects associated with heritage: ancient past, archaeology, landscape, flora, fauna, trees, Celtic festivals, I am very interested in revitalising old crafts and traditions and in Holy Wells. Pupils always do hands-on work, they gather stories and usually have "something to take home". I work as an artist and share my inspiration with teachers and pupils. My approach is always enthusiastic, imaginative and integrated. My wish is to open up the world of wonder and spirit that is our heritage. Bridget lives near the Neolithic Cairns at Carrowkeel and has studied this unique area over 22 years. A field trip there with her reaps great rewards.
Class:	I - Infant (Juni
Additional Information:	Special Needs 5 Visit Series Visit Outside County Field Trips Practical/Hands-On Activities
Contact Details:	Address: Threen, Ballymote, Co. Sligo. Home: 071 918 9286 Mobile: 086 362 5036 Email: brighidtrean@yahoo.com