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Irish Independent
05-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘We saw there was a big gap for something like this' – Donegal beach schools turning coastline into classrooms
The educational initiative, developed by charity Liquid Therapy, plans to transform Donegal's coastline into a dynamic classroom where primary school children develop academic skills through experiential learning combined with surf therapy. Tom Losey, CEO of Liquid Therapy, which has its base in the popular Donegal surf town of Bundoran, said the beach school programme is ready to roll out and just hours into launching, it is already oversubscribed. The idea is that children aged between eight and 12 will come to their local beach for the day's learning. In the morning, Stem subjects including maths and science will be on the agenda – only this time facilitators will be using the natural environment of the beach to teach them. With one teacher and four facilitators to deliver each programme, it will include things such as building shelters for sea creatures to cover topics like engineering. Beach clean-ups and counting, weighing and sorting waste become clever ways to bring maths to life, according to Mr Losey. After lunch, children will have ocean activities including surfing and swimming. All the equipment, from the surfboards to robes to keep children warm, is provided, so all they need to bring is a towel and togs for the day, Mr Losey said. He describes the 'layered' educational approach as a novel way to bring learning to life and allow children to engage with blue spaces in a unique way. We saw there was a big gap for something like this With the longest coastline of any county in Ireland, Donegal is a perfect place to launch the project, which Mr Losey said could be replicated anywhere. 'We're thrilled to introduce the north-west's first beach school, which perfectly aligns with our mission of making the benefits of the ocean accessible to all,' he said. 'This programme uniquely combines curriculum objectives, the learning potential of Ireland's natural coastal environment, with the powerful therapeutic elements of surf and ocean experiences that are at the core of our work.' He explained that what sets Liquid Therapy's beach school apart is the use of experiential and inquiry-based learning, its integration with the national curriculum and surf therapy. Each session begins with engaging warm-up games followed by curriculum-linked activities that reinforce learning, as well as surf experiences that build confidence and well-being. Sessions conclude with mindfulness practices specifically developed for the coastal environment. 'We saw there was a big gap for something like this. There are lots of places that do marine days and workshops but when something is immersive you see the real benefits,' Mr Losey said. 'What we are doing hasn't been done before. Since Covid-19 we've changed our mindset to the weather. There's learning in that too. We have such a rich coastline across the country that is ripe for unlocking the learning benefits.' It is hoped the programme, which is funded by the Ireland Funds, will be a model for other surf schools around the country. 'This programme is scalable and easy to replicate, and it should have national scale and reach,' Mr Losey said.
The Independent
14-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Taoiseach downplays gala dinner protest by evangelical Christian family
Irish premier Micheal Martin has downplayed the impact of the disruption caused when a protesting evangelical Christian family were forcibly removed from a gala dinner he was attending in Washington DC. Three members of the high profile Burke family from Co Mayo in Ireland were intercepted by security personnel and police as they entered the floor of the Ireland Funds event in the US capital as part of a transgender related demonstration. They shouted loudly as they were pulled back through curtains surrounding the main dining space during a speech on Thursday evening by the head coach of the Washington Commanders NFL team Dan Quinn. Chaotic scenes ensued as law enforcement officers grappled with them and forcibly removed them from the National Building Museum. Taoiseach Mr Martin described the incident as 'regrettable' but refused to criticise security arrangements that enabled the Burkes, who had been protesting outside the venue with placards earlier in the evening, to gain entry into the event. Members of the family have been involved in protests and legal disputes in Ireland arising out of the suspension of Enoch Burke from his job as a teacher. Mr Burke was imprisoned for contempt of court for refusing to stay away from the school where he worked. The dispute stemmed from incidents over a request from the school's then-principal to address a student by a new name and the pronoun 'they'. Mr Burke argued his suspension was unlawful and went against his right to express his religious beliefs. His mother Martina and two of his siblings – Ammi and Isaac – shouted criticism of the Taoiseach as they were taken from the building on Thursday evening. The Taoiseach was asked about the incident as he spoke to reporters in the US capital on Friday morning at the start of his last day of traditional engagements in the US ahead of St Patrick's Day. 'I think it didn't significantly, in any way, kind of disrupt,' he said. 'If anything, I think coach Dan Quinn handled it in his stride. I think it was regrettable that incident happened. 'People have a right to protest in a proper way and that is not a proper way, to attempt to maybe disrupt an event that was to honour people who have been of such service to Ireland in the US and people of the Irish-American diaspora who really are not involved in anything to do with this issue.' Mr Martin said he and the Irish Government have been 'very clear' and 'very strong' in relation to the rights of transgender people. He said Ireland has managed to avoid 'culture wars' over the issue and he urged everyone to come at the subject with a respect for human dignity and people's rights. The Taoiseach described the security arrangements at the Ireland Funds gala as 'balanced, firm and strong'. Mr Martin said he could not fault the security detail: 'People have been very attentive, very focused.' He added: 'There has to be balance in all of this and it was a joyous occasion last evening and people were very happy. So you have to let the free flow happen too in terms of people enjoying themselves.' Quinn, who was making a speech after being honoured with an award by the Ireland Funds philanthropic organisation, tried to make light of the disruption, joking the incident was like being at a game of the Commanders' divisional rivals the Philadelphia Eagles. The Burke family have protested against supports for transgender people, which they describe as anti-Christian. The family members entered the gala venue around 15 minutes after Mr Martin had concluded his own speech at the event, which is a key fixture in the Irish American calendar in the US capital ahead of St Patrick's Day. Earlier in the evening, the same family members stood outside the building, accompanied by Mr Burke's father Sean, holding placards highlighting their campaign. After they were later ejected from the event, the family members continued to articulate criticism of Mr Martin and Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris as they stood on the pavement outside the building, surrounded by members of the media delegation that accompanied the Taoiseach to Washington. 'The Irish people live in fear, teachers are afraid to go to schools,' said Martina Burke. 'Every single child is taught LGBTQ+, bisexual, transgender as fact, it's a sad day. It's a sad day for Ireland. We need President Trump to know the truth but Micheal Martin is fooling them.' Mrs Burke repeatedly said she did not want to speak to the Irish media, accusing them of working for the Irish Government and the judiciary. 'The Government and the judiciary are all working together, silencing the people. We are slaves in Ireland. You're fake journalists – you have no right to be here,' she said. Isaac Burke added: 'Enoch Burke was in prison for 513 days.' Ammi Burke claimed: 'Micheal Martin is stripping Enoch Burke of his salary.' At one point, police officers moved the family away from the entrance to the building and asked them to stand further along the pavement.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Watch: Family of jailed teacher who refused to use trans pronouns thrown out of Washington gala
Credit: X/@SeanDefoe The family of a teacher who refuses to use a transgender student's preferred pronouns were forcibly removed from a Washington DC gala they gatecrashed to confront Ireland's prime minister. Security led away three members of the Burke family after they burst onto the floor of the Ireland Funds dinner, which was attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, to protest the teachers' imprisonment. Enoch Burke was jailed for a third time in Ireland in September for breaching a court order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath where he once taught. The evangelical Christian has spent more than 500 days in jail over three separate stints for contempt, and been fined, after repeatedly breaching the injunction. Footage from Thursday night shows Burke's mother Martina and two of his siblings – Ammi and Isaac – shouting as they are dragged away by security. Mr Martin had finished speaking 15 minutes before the family crashed the gala, an annual event in the US capital ahead of St Patrick's Day. Elon Musk, Donald Trump's close ally, shared his support for Burke on social media. 'My belief is male and female, God made them male and female,' Burke told the court last year. He also claimed teachers were being 'commanded to force transgenderism on students'. Burke, who teaches German and history, was outraged after being told to call a transitioning student by their preferred name and the pronoun 'they'. Despite his suspension, he would turn up at the school for 'meetings' or simply to sit in an empty classroom declaring he was ready to teach, which led to an injunction being sought and granted. Burke is still being paid his salary after he appealed the school's decision to sack him in January 2023. This month Court Justice David Nolan gave the Attorney General permission to bring an application later this month to appoint a receiver over Burke's teaching salary, to deduct the outstanding €79,100 he owes in fines. On March 8, Mr Musk wrote 'wow' as he retweeted a post that falsely claimed Burke was being 'stripped of his salary after refusing to use they/them pronouns for a 'transgender' student'. Mr Martin said it had been 'regrettable' that the Burke family disrupted the gala dinner, but said he did not think it 'significantly' impacted the event. 'I think it was regrettable that incident happened,' he said. 'People have a right to protest in a proper way and that is not a proper way to attempt to maybe disrupt an event that was to honour people who have been of such service to Ireland in the US and people of the Irish-American diaspora who really are not involved in anything to do with this issue.' Mr Martin said he had been 'very clear, in respect to the rights of transgender people'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Watch: Family of jailed teacher who refused to use trans pronouns thrown out of Washington gala
The family of a teacher who refuses to use a transgender student's preferred pronouns were forcibly removed from a Washington DC gala they gatecrashed to confront Ireland's prime minister. Security led away three members of the Burke family after they burst onto the floor of the Ireland Funds dinner, which was attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, to protest the teachers' imprisonment. Enoch Burke was jailed for a third time in Ireland in September for breaching a court order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath where he once taught. The evangelical Christian has spent more than 500 days in jail over three separate stints for contempt, and been fined, after repeatedly breaching the injunction. Footage from Thursday night shows Burke's mother Martina and two of his siblings – Ammi and Isaac – shouting as they are dragged away by security. Mr Martin had finished speaking 15 minutes before the family crashed the gala, an annual event in the US capital ahead of St Patrick's Day. Elon Musk, Donald Trump's close ally, shared his support for Burke on social media. 'My belief is male and female, God made them male and female,' Burke told the court last year. He also claimed teachers were being 'commanded to force transgenderism on students'. Burke, who teaches German and history, was outraged after being told to call a transitioning student by their preferred name and the pronoun 'they'. Despite his suspension, he would turn up at the school for 'meetings' or simply to sit in an empty classroom declaring he was ready to teach, which led to an injunction being sought and granted. Burke is still being paid his salary after he appealed the school's decision to sack him in January 2023. 'People have a right to protest in proper way' This month Court Justice David Nolan gave the Attorney General permission to bring an application later this month to appoint a receiver over Burke's teaching salary, to deduct the outstanding €79,100 he owes in fines. On March 8, Mr Musk wrote 'wow' as he retweeted a post that falsely claimed Burke was being 'stripped of his salary after refusing to use they/them pronouns for a 'transgender' student'. Mr Martin said it had been 'regrettable' that the Burke family disrupted the gala dinner, but said he did not think it 'significantly' impacted the event. 'I think it was regrettable that incident happened,' he said. 'People have a right to protest in a proper way and that is not a proper way to attempt to maybe disrupt an event that was to honour people who have been of such service to Ireland in the US and people of the Irish-American diaspora who really are not involved in anything to do with this issue.' Mr Martin said he had been 'very clear, in respect to the rights of transgender people'.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Taoiseach downplays gala dinner protest by evangelical Christian family
Irish premier Micheal Martin has downplayed the impact of the disruption caused when a protesting evangelical Christian family were forcibly removed from a gala dinner he was attending in Washington DC. Three members of the high profile Burke family from Co Mayo in Ireland were intercepted by security personnel and police as they entered the floor of the Ireland Funds event in the US capital as part of a transgender related demonstration. They shouted loudly as they were pulled back through curtains surrounding the main dining space during a speech on Thursday evening by the head coach of the Washington Commanders NFL team Dan Quinn. Chaotic scenes ensued as law enforcement officers grappled with them and forcibly removed them from the National Building Museum. Taoiseach Mr Martin described the incident as 'regrettable' but refused to criticise security arrangements that enabled the Burkes, who had been protesting outside the venue with placards earlier in the evening, to gain entry into the event. Members of the family have been involved in protests and legal disputes in Ireland arising out of the suspension of Enoch Burke from his job as a teacher. Mr Burke was imprisoned for contempt of court for refusing to stay away from the school where he worked. The dispute stemmed from incidents over a request from the school's then-principal to address a student by a new name and the pronoun 'they'. Mr Burke argued his suspension was unlawful and went against his right to express his religious beliefs. His mother Martina and two of his siblings – Ammi and Isaac – shouted criticism of the Taoiseach as they were taken from the building on Thursday evening. The Taoiseach was asked about the incident as he spoke to reporters in the US capital on Friday morning at the start of his last day of traditional engagements in the US ahead of St Patrick's Day. 'I think it didn't significantly, in any way, kind of disrupt,' he said. 'If anything, I think coach Dan Quinn handled it in his stride. I think it was regrettable that incident happened. 'People have a right to protest in a proper way and that is not a proper way, to attempt to maybe disrupt an event that was to honour people who have been of such service to Ireland in the US and people of the Irish-American diaspora who really are not involved in anything to do with this issue.' Mr Martin said he and the Irish Government have been 'very clear' and 'very strong' in relation to the rights of transgender people. He said Ireland has managed to avoid 'culture wars' over the issue and he urged everyone to come at the subject with a respect for human dignity and people's rights. The Taoiseach described the security arrangements at the Ireland Funds gala as 'balanced, firm and strong'. Mr Martin said he could not fault the security detail: 'People have been very attentive, very focused.' He added: 'There has to be balance in all of this and it was a joyous occasion last evening and people were very happy. So you have to let the free flow happen too in terms of people enjoying themselves.' Quinn, who was making a speech after being honoured with an award by the Ireland Funds philanthropic organisation, tried to make light of the disruption, joking the incident was like being at a game of the Commanders' divisional rivals the Philadelphia Eagles. The Burke family have protested against supports for transgender people, which they describe as anti-Christian. The family members entered the gala venue around 15 minutes after Mr Martin had concluded his own speech at the event, which is a key fixture in the Irish American calendar in the US capital ahead of St Patrick's Day. Earlier in the evening, the same family members stood outside the building, accompanied by Mr Burke's father Sean, holding placards highlighting their campaign. After they were later ejected from the event, the family members continued to articulate criticism of Mr Martin and Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris as they stood on the pavement outside the building, surrounded by members of the media delegation that accompanied the Taoiseach to Washington. 'The Irish people live in fear, teachers are afraid to go to schools,' said Martina Burke. 'Every single child is taught LGBTQ+, bisexual, transgender as fact, it's a sad day. It's a sad day for Ireland. We need President Trump to know the truth but Micheal Martin is fooling them.' Mrs Burke repeatedly said she did not want to speak to the Irish media, accusing them of working for the Irish Government and the judiciary. 'The Government and the judiciary are all working together, silencing the people. We are slaves in Ireland. You're fake journalists – you have no right to be here,' she said. Isaac Burke added: 'Enoch Burke was in prison for 513 days.' Ammi Burke claimed: 'Micheal Martin is stripping Enoch Burke of his salary.' At one point, police officers moved the family away from the entrance to the building and asked them to stand further along the pavement.
