Community Notes Jan 20th

Award for Timoleague National School

Congratulations to Ms Hall and 6th class who were awarded the prestigious Primary Science Fair plaque at the BT Young Scientist & Technology exhibition in the RDS Dublin on Friday January 12th. Timoleague NS were one of only 50 schools countrywide who reached the RDS this year.

Inspired by the anaerobic digester in Timoleague which is one of the only 15 anaerobic digesters in the country, their project is called "We Want Your Waste". They have been discussing and investigating renewable energy in the farming community, in particular the anaerobic digestion process. They investigated what is needed to create anaerobic digestion and what the bi products are. They built a mini anaerobic digester. They learnt that biogas can be produced by mixing food waste and animal manure in an anaerobic environment. This biogas can be used to heat our homes, cook food or produce renewable electricity. Biogas is produced from any agricultural, food processing or household waste when placed in an anaerobic environment.

The students were interviewed by RTE News2Day and appeared on their news bulletin. They took part in drumming workshops and many science shows. They presented their project wonderfully to the judges and to the many visitors to their stand. 

It was particularly special meeting with past pupils, Bonnie Rose Hegarty O'Brien, Donagh Flynn, Mathew Power & Eoin Wilcox, who were exhibiting their own projects, representing their second level schools and who had exhibited with Timoleague NS in previous years. It is always wonderful meeting past pupils who are there in their capacity as science teachers. Thank you to Daniel Hurley of Ahamonister for visiting the Timoleague stand.

Thanks to all the staff for their help and support, in particular the 4 staff members who left Timoleague at 5.30am on Friday morning - Anna Hall, Ann Marie O'Driscoll, Anne Marie Kelly and Teresa O'Donovan.

A sincere Thank You to Ms Hall who coordinated the project and prepared the pupils for this wonderful experience. Well done all. Timoleague is immensely proud of you.

Down with The Lights

While the theme at Our Lady’s Well Grounds was “Ireland Lights Up”, in the village on Monday night it was “Lights Down”. In the crisp frosty air, a hardy group of local volunteers did the needful in taking down the Christmas lights from the village streets. Two groups of three with ladders at the ready completed the job in double quick time. The Christmas tree and crib at the village centre are being removed during the week.

Argideen Rangers Lights Up

There was a fantastic turn out again on Monday night last for “Ireland Lights Up”as over 113 people assembled and signed in for the walk on the newly opened walkway around the perimeter of the sports complex at Our Lady’s Well Community Grounds at 7.30pm.Just a reminder that you do need to register weekly if you are participating. If the timing on Monday night is not suitable, you are welcome to do the walk alone or with friends at any time and you do not need to be a member of the club to participate. The lights are on every night until 10.30pm and they are also on each morning from 6am. It is an ideal way to meet up with people, make new friends and also do some healthy exercise in a safe and welcoming environment. So, you have no excuse!

Tidy Towns Report Contd.:

The following is a continuation of the adjudicator’s 2023 Tidy Towns report on Timoleague. 

Nature and Biodiversity in your Locality:Your main project for this year has been the setting up of the Educational Garden in conjunction with TimoleagueNational School and GIY (Grow It Yourself). This is an excellent initiative and one which will undoubtedly developand grow in the coming years.

It was only possible to look from the gate on adjudication day but it is clear that a lot of work has already beencarried out. It is a valuable asset to have to be able to teach the children about biodiversity, gardening and natureand cheering to know that they are putting their learning to good use in their schools and gardens. The new stonewall must be a great improvement on the concrete block wall. It certainly looks very well.The possibilities for learning in this garden are invaluable. From seed to table including learning about makingcompost, pondlife, building stone walls and raised beds, the full gamut is there and will hopefully be fullyappreciated by the school and the local community.

It will be interesting to see how the Educational Garden develops in the future. Well done for joining the All- Ireland Pollinator Plan. One of the objectives of the new 2021 – 2025 AIPP is to encourage more land to be managed for biodiversity and to establish a ‘Pollinator Trail’ as well as monitor pollinators on public land. Your work and commitment to your area to raise awareness and increase biodiversity puts you in a perfect position to become a supporter for the AIPP.