All News

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 0
• 0

3rd Year Merchant of Venice Theatre Trip

At 5.50am on Wednesday 29th January, as the freezing fog cleared Ballaghaderreen, not a creature was stirring...apart from the 86 3rd Year students and staff boarding the two coaches bound for Dublin. The destination was the Mill Street Theatre in Dundrum to see a live production of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.  Credit must be given to students and their parents and guardians for getting everyone there for our early departure, especially given the fact that so many are still affected by water and power outages. However, despite a few tired looking heads (on the staff!) we set off.  A pit stop on the way up for some much needed refreshments and food before boarding the buses again. Next stop...Dundrum!  All students were given a talk about procedures before we entered and we all took our seats along with students from other schools. It must be said that seeing this live version will no doubt stand the students in good sted for their Mock exam tomorrow and State Exams in June. It has been a year since we studied this text and it was much needed to remember the key characters and key scenes and themes that accompany many past questions on this tricky text. It was very beneficial for all to see how the company managed stage directions, costumes, use of lighting and music to really drive home key aspects of the text. 90minutes later and the show was over. There was some very positive feedback after leaving the venue and it will no doubt help in the exams.  We then had an hour to explore the Dundrum Shopping Centre for some food or clothes shopping!  It must be said that all students behaved impeccably and done themselves proud as well as St. Nathy's College. It was a pleasure to bring them on this trip and they proved how mature and responsible they could be throughout the entire day. Thank you to our two drivers, Eamon and Vincent from O' Haras Buses for navigating the many lanes and traffic of the roads and motorways through Dublin! Another special thanks to Mr Creaton, Ms Stack, Mr Nealon, Ms O' Boyle and Ms Herr for accompanying us on this trip.  Last but not least, I want to wish all the students the very best of luck in their upcoming Mock exams. You will be fine! Give it everything you have!  Good luck! Mr. Brennan and the English Department   https://www.stnathys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VID-20250129-WA0009-4.mp4

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 0
• 0

TY Students to reimagine the history of Ballaghaderreen

The Cherry Blossom Tales: A Creative Exploration of Memory, Place, and Storytelling.

A new Creative Ireland-funded project, The Cherry Blossom Tales, is bringing the past to
life in Ballaghaderreen through storytelling, photography, videography, and creative
exploration.

Led by author and multidisciplinary artist Dr Anna King, and supported by Roscommon
County Council, this initiative invites TY students from St. Nathy’s College, under the
guidance of teacher Karen Munnelly, to reimagine the history of their town through a
series of immersive, creative nonfiction workshops.

At the heart of the project stands Dillion’s last remaining cherry blossom tree, a silent
witness to generations past. Once part of Anne Deane’s garden, figures such as John Blak
Dillon, James Dillon, Eamon De Valera, and Michael Davitt gathered beneath the tree’s
canopy, sharing conversations, ideas, and dreams.

Through February to April, students will step into this lost world, not physically, but
through imagination, historical inquiry, and artistic response. They will work with
photography, videography, creative writing, and audio storytelling to bring their visions to
life - capturing the intangible echoes of memory that still linger in the landscape.

As April transitions into May, the project takes on a new dimension. As cherry blossoms
bloom and drift on the westerly wind, so too do stories, ideas, and fleeting memories. In
these final workshops, students will explore how history is not only recorded, but also feel how it moves through landscapes, through nature, and through us.

Public Event & Exhibition – May 2025
The culmination of The Cherry Blossom Tales will be a public event and exhibition in May,
where student creations - photographs, recordings, visual artwork, and stories - will be
shared with the wider community. This will be a unique opportunity to experience the
students’ interpretations of Ballaghaderreen’s past through a contemporary, creative lens.

About Dr Anna King
Dr Anna King (PhD, MA, BA) is a published author and multidisciplinary artist whose
work blends creative prose, photography, and contemplative art practices. In 2024, she
completed a residency with Creative Places Ballaghaderreen, funded by The Arts Council,
Ireland, and she is delighted to once again have an opportunity to work with us in St. Nathys
College.

For further information and project updates, visit:
www.annaking.ie/the-cherry-blossom-tales/introduction For enquiries, contact: anna7king@gmail.com

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 7
• 0

St. Nathy’s College WILL REOPEN Tomorrow Wed. 29th Jan.

We are delighted to announce that St. Nathy's College will be open tomorrow, Wednesday 29th January, with Tutor classes commencing at 8.57am.

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 13
• 0

School Closure – Tuesday 28th Jan.

Please note that St. Nathy's College will be closed for students tomorrow Tuesday 28th January as there is no water supply at this time.

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 14
• 0

Meet AAron O’Toole and Ava O’Brien aka “Emmet Forrest” and “Elle Woods”

Aaron O'Toole plays Emmet Forrest who grew up in the Projects and had to endure and survive in order to follow his dream of becoming a lawyer. Aaron said he feels the character of Emmet shows the importance of never giving up on your dreams! I asked Aaron what was the most difficult part of the show for him and he replied without hesitating “The auditions and waiting to see who got what part!"

Let us also meet Ava O' Brien who plays the belle Elle Woods. Ava O Brien plays the lovestruck Elle Woods who follows Warner from L.A. to Harvard. Ava told me that the show has been all about teamwork, for example she has worked on the set in between learning lines and dances. “We only had the script for Act One first so we were all waiting to see the script for Act 2 and we were not disappointed!” 

Tickets will be available from the School Office and stnathys.com very  soon. Save the date March 12th-15th inc.

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 11
• 0

Junior Girls’ Football

On Tuesday January 21st the Junior Girls' Gaelic Football team faced Ballyhaunis Community School in a Connacht Semi-final in the Centre of Excellence, Bekan. The team were unbeaten so far this year, but knew they faced tough opposition.In what proved to be a very exciting match the teams were neck and neck throughout, with some wonderful skills on display. Finishing level at the end of normal time two 10 minute periods of extra time were played. Unfortunately despite the best efforts of St Nathy's, Ballyhaunis emerged victorious. Final Score St Nathy's 5-13 BCS 6-12Thanks to all the girls for their hard work and dedication this year in training and matches. They have been great representatives for the school and have shown a positive attitude all year. 

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 15
• 0

Blue Monday in St. Nathy’s

Blue Monday.......😪😓😖😭😨 

Last Monday was “Blue Monday” but ironically, it was not in St. Nathy’s! 

Blue Monday, a day that is often referred to as the most “Depressing Day of the Year” occurs every year on the THIRD Monday of January. It has well-earned its name due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, Red-Weather alerts, and the stress of unfulfilled New Year’s resolutions! Plus, there can sometimes be the odd box of ‘Roses’ or ‘Heroes’ left and .... it was a shame to waste them....so OUT THE WINDOW GOES THE “Non-chocolate January!!!!!”  While the concept of Blue Monday may be based on a mix of science and marketing, it does, however, provide a valuable opportunity to focus on our Mental Health and Wellbeing. This year, we took a proactive approach to combat the "blues" and brighten up the day for our students and staff alike, because; we are all Human. Through a series of Wellbeing activities, the school helped students feel more positive, more connected, and more motivated during what is often a very challenging time of the year. 

Physical activity is well known for its positive effects on mental health, so we included a "Walk for Wellbeing" as part of our “Blue Monday” activities. Teachers accompanied their students on a walk around the school grounds at a designated time, where they set the challenge of counting how many steps that they could take during the walk....no pressure on the teachers, but some of our classes were very, very competitive!!!! 

The idea behind this initiative was very simple: physical movement is a great way to boost mood, reduce stress, and improve overall “Wellbeing”. By encouraging students to get outside, move, chat and interact, we promoted a healthy, active lifestyle while also providing a refreshing break from the classroom and it allowed students to have a few minutes of “Freedom” from the constraints and sometimes the monotony of the norm, the classroom. The walk not only gave students an opportunity to stretch their legs but also it helped them to just chat to their peers, as teachers and students walked together simultaneously, chatting and enjoying each other's company.  

As part of the walk, students were encouraged to reflect on their feelings and share positive thoughts with their classmates. They were also encouraged to “look out” for anyone who was “left out” or “alone”. This mindful approach to physical activity allowed students to take a moment to ground themselves and focus on the present. It was a small yet meaningful way to boost mental wellbeing and remind students that taking care of their physical health can be and IS as important as their academic Wellbeing/health.

Last Monday, the final class (but, unfortunately not necessarily for all our Exam classes) was dedicated to allowing students to begin their homework during school time!  Teachers provided a quiet and supportive environment where students could work on assignments, ask questions, and clarify doubts. This gave students the opportunity to get a head start on their homework, reducing the burden they would typically feel in the evening. By finishing a portion of their homework before they left school, the students were hopefully able to enjoy a more relaxing and stress-free evening at home. 

Finally, to conclude, “Blue Monday” was also a great opportunity to allow us all to think about the importance of mental health in the Community. As part of our commitment to raising awareness about mental health, St. Nathy's College organised a fundraiser to support Pieta House. 

A sincere “Thank You” to St. Nathy’s  “Amber School Team” who continuously arrange such initiatives for the greater good of the whole school Community.  

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 11
• 0

Let us meet Paulette Dempsey and Kyle B. O’ Boyle (Aisling Maloney and Sean McCann)

Let us now meet Aisling Maloney who plays hairdresser Paulette Dempsey who was unlucky in love but who loves Ireland and all things Irish. Aisling admitted it was nerve-racking trying to remember lines, songs and dance but  "we all support and help each other and now it has all come together and it is class!” Sean Mc Cann plays Kyle B. O Boyle who thinks Paulette is “fabulous looking”. I asked Sean about his dancing or rather cheeky dancing but he told me that under orders from the Director he was not allowed to comment. I did try to peer into the hall but the glass in the doors was taped over- so so frustrating! 

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 12
• 0

More of the Cast

Meet Meeko Yu who plays Elle’s best friend the studious Meagan Davis. She comes to Harvard to study Law and who is aware that she “gets flustered around guys” so how will she cope with Kevin who wants the two of them “to work alone together on their assignments”? 

Meet also, the stylish James Puncheon who plays the role of Kevin Leigh who is the best friend of Emmet Forrest since Elementary school.

Meagan is the one who Kevin wants but will he succeed in winning her over? We caught up with James who said: “I am really enjoying the rehearsals and this is a great show with a very powerful message about always being there for your friends”. St. Nathy’s production of "Illegally Blonde" will run from Thurs. March 12th to Sat. March 15th. Tickets will be available from the School office and www.stnathys.com  very soon. 

• Catherine Farrell - PRO
• 14
• 0

More success for St. Nathy’s Handballers

Well done to Cathal Cox, James Boyle, Senan Johnston and John Reilly who all played in Claremorris in the U16 competition on Saturday representing St. Nathy's. Cathal and James played in the Doubles and Senan and John played in the Singles.  Well done to all four on their successful wins. Hard work pays off and St. Nathy's College is very proud of you all.