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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Leaving Cert home economics: ‘Practical, topical, no curveballs'
The Leaving Cert higher level home economics paper received a thumbs-up from teachers who sad students will be relieved with an exam which featured plenty of 'nice' questions. Megan Friel, Home Economics teacher at Mercy College, Sligo and Studyclix subject expert, said the paper was 'very practical, topical, student-friendly and contained no curve balls'. Alice Quinn, home economics teacher at The Institute of Education, also said that clear nature of the questions allowed students with a solid grasp of material to get straight to the point. 'The appearance of predicted materials will help offset some of the more niche questions,' she said. READ MORE Ms Friel said section B Q1 – which is compulsory – focused on the impact of food choices and eating habits of adults in Ireland. 'This was very relevant to students and gave them the opportunity to display their in-depth knowledge of the course,' she said. 'The properties didn't appear in Section A which is unusual, but students will be delighted, and the main nutrient on Section B Q1 was lipids. This hasn't been asked since 2018. The core question was also straightforward. Students are very comfortable answering questions about food commodities.' Ms Quinn said students will have been cheered by the 'array of nice, clear short questions to start the paper'. 'There was no ambiguity in what was being asked, more so than previous years, and so students could launch straight into answering,' she said. 'The first question was a nice recall of nutrients: functions of carbohydrates, deficiency diseases – the real fundamentals of the subject,' she said. 'The fish question may have thrown some as many could have overlooked the differences in cold vs hot smoking in their revision, but with other options available they won't have lost momentum.' Students will also have been pleased to see Family Resource Management as the question setter kept with recent trends in papers. 'Even though the questions were comparatively niche, this will have suited most students as the precision of the questions let those with a solid grasp get straight to the point and earn marks,' she said. Over on Section B, she said students were again greeted with a 'nice entry point'. 'The pie chart was a nice way to access the data and the questions offered lots of scope. Students did need to read the question carefully to fully grasp it, but at the core was the baseline elements of that they should be familiar with,' Ms Quinn said. 'Many will be thrilled to see the predicted appearance of lipids and the sometimes tricky question (e) replaced with a familiar take on factors of choice and eating habits of adult.' Question 2 was quite broad and spanned chapter lines but would have made a lot of sense to those who reflected on the interconnected ideas and key words of the syllabus, Ms Quinn said. 'In particular, those who anticipated the return of cheese (not seen since 2017) will be pleased,' she said. She said Q3 was an unexpected aspect of an expected topic – food hygiene – so those who really covered the topic in detail would have been best suited to tackle it. Overall, students familiar with the past papers and the fundamentals of the subject will have been able accrue marks effectively and efficiently. The occasional question on more niche aspects of the course will have surprised some but given others the chance to distinguish themselves. Ms Friel, meanwhile, sad the ordinary level paper included questions that were 'very student-friendly and accessible.' Section B Q1 featured a very user-friendly chart on soup, while students will be relieved that Section B Q2 followed the same format as previous years. 'Overall this was a very fair paper which will likely have brought a smile to the faces of students and teachers alike,' she said.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Limerick honours one of its own with Mayoral reception for leading NYC St Patrick's Day Parade
The ceremony celebrates Mr Benn's incredible story from proud Limerick roots to his leadership in one of the world's most iconic Irish-American events. The reception is the third of its kind this year, following two sports-related Mayoral Receptions earlier in 2025. Born in Limerick city in 1948 and a former student of CBS Sexton Street, the same school attended by Mayor Moran, Michael Benn emigrated to the United States at age 14. He continued his education in New York and received an accounting degree from Mercy College, paving the way for a diverse career in civic leadership and business management. He also served in the US Army from 1969 to 1972, achieving the rank of sergeant. He served as president and chairman of the Queens County St Patrick's Day Parade in Rockaway Beach, and in March 2025, he led the 264th New York City St Patrick's Day Parade as Grand Marshal. Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Moran said: 'It's an absolute privilege to have welcomed Michael Benn and his family here to City Hall in the city of his youth, and to be able to recognise everything Michael has done to keep our Irish heritage alive and thriving in his new home of New York. His journey has been nothing short of incredible. Limerick is lucky to call him one of our own!' Mr Benn added: 'This city, and Ireland as a whole, will always be home, no matter where life takes me and my family. The journey has been incredible, but the heart of it all has always been community. I'm beyond grateful for this recognition and excited for all that's ahead!'
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Sligo's Lucie Cawley breaks Irish Schools Intermediate record at just fifteen years of age
Tullamore on the June bank holiday weekend is the place to be for athletics enthusiasts as the cream of the crop take centre stage for the most prestigious event of the juvenile athletics calendar. Coming through the provisional competitions, Connacht's athletes go on to Nationals where it's all straight finals with the best from each region are on show. For Sligo, over 20 athletes graced that start line and did not disappoint. The Championships kicked off on Friday night where Mercy College student Lucie Cawley once more made jaws drop as she lead from pillar to post in the Intermediate girls 1500m steeplechase. Streamstown's Lucie, at only 15 years of age, was running as a new year intermediate so will be in this category again next year. This didn't stop Lucie slicing 8 seconds off the schools record. What a 2025 so far for the Streamstown athlete! Alice Belo again from the Mercy College jumped a massive personal best in the Junior girls triple jump landing herself a top 6 finish. It was the same for Francis Donghue of Summerhill College when he finished 5th place in the senior boys 5000m. The night was capped off by a brilliant run from Ross Campbell in the Inter boys 1500m steeple, with the Sumnerhill student will eligible for this age and event next year. Onto super Saturday with Briain Cullinan getting the day kicked off in style in the Inter boys 400m hurdles. Briain a Summerhill stalwart and serial medallist, took over half a second off the Irish schools record only to find one better on the day and finish with a brilliant silver, what are the chances of 2 breaking one record on the same day! Mila Clancy ran her guts out for 6th place in the inter girls 300m hurdles while Nicole Flanagan was jumping her way to a brilliant 4th place. Clancy also took part in the inter girls long jump finishing in 7th and just missing the final by 9cm. Ruby Cunnane was moving up an age where she ran an exceptional race to finish in 3rd place in the Junior girls 75m hurdles. Crissie Doohan hit PBs in both discus (6th) & shot putt (7th)—amazing progress! Conor McDonagh was third place for St Attracta's over the 400m in the Senior boys category, Conor will be back next year hungrier than ever. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more St Attracta's pair Erin Walsh and Arlin Barrett had a great tustle over at the senior girls long jump with Walsh coming out on top for 7th place and Barrett in 9th. Back on the track, Sinead Evans of Mercy College produced her best ever moment in the u16 mile where she ran a massive personal best of 5min 37seconds and leave her in a great position going into the Summer season. With only a couple of events to go, Mercy College teacher Eimear O'Brien was closely watching the intermediate girls section as the Sligo school were looking to seal the top accolade here. Riona Luse and Nicole Flanagan worked wonders for this to happen as they finished 2 & 3 in the triple jump with Flanagan getting the better of her school team mate for that silver. Luse quickly ran to the high jump and pulled in a further 4 points landing 5th place here and the Mercy girls sealed victory with a point in the 4x100m relay and the return of Emily Hession adding to the talented team of Ruby Cunnane, Nicole Flanagan & Lucie Cawley. There was brilliant runs by Summerhill relays with the inter boys in the mix all the way but getting disqualified for running out of their zone on the final leg. The senior boys got a well deserved bronze when Darragh Burke sprouted wings down the homestraight to edge the medal on the line. And the St Attracta's senior girls filled 8th place. Out on the throwing fields, Ruairí McLoughlin in the inter boys hammer threw out over 35m for 6th pace while Kelley McHugh(discus) sealed 8th place and got a valuable point for the Mercy intermediate girls. The week prior to Irish schools, Sligo athletes made the trip to Brussels to compete at the star struck IFAM meet. On the Saturday, PBS a plenty with Conor McDonagh posting a swift 49.3 in his now favoured distance the 400m, while his sister Caoimhe McDonagh swapping her jump spikes for sprints posting a brilliant personal best over 100m in 12.57. Lucie Cawley dropped down the distances getting a swift 800m in, winning her section in a personal best time of 2min 17 seconds and plenty in the tank crossing the line too. Mila Clancy ran a cracker on the Sunday over 200m posting a seasons best and a great return to form.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
German students visit Sligo to celebrate 35-year twinning link that has built lasting friendships
Sligo Champion The enduring bond between Kempten and Sligo, twinned since 1990, witnessed a celebration of cultural exchange and friendship as Kempten university and secondary school students visited County Hall recently. The students were warmly welcomed by An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Declan Bree, who highlighted the significance of the exchange programmes in fostering international understanding and cultural appreciation. 'Our friendship with Kempten has truly enriched our community,' stated Cathaoirleach Bree. 'These exchanges provide invaluable opportunities for our young people to experience different cultures firsthand, build lasting friendships, and broaden their horizons,' he said. Also in attendance was Ms. Dympna Gorman, President of Sligo Town Twinning, who brought a poignant reminder of the long-standing relationship: the original town twinning charter, bearing the signatures that cemented the bond over three decades ago. Ms. Gorman spoke of the numerous benefits derived from the twinning agreement, emphasising its role in promoting cultural exchange, educational links, and economic cooperation. Cathaoirleach Councillor Declan Bree spoke of the Erasmus Programme which has played a pivotal role in strengthening the connection between Kempten and Sligo, with Sligo County Council proudly welcoming students from Kempten in recent years. He said this exchange program has not only enriched the educational experiences of the students but has also deepened the ties between the two communities, fostering a sense of global citizenship and mutual respect. The friendship between Kempten and Sligo has been a source of enrichment for both communities, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. The visit to Sligo County Council served as a reaffirmation of this enduring bond, highlighting the value of international partnerships in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation. During their stay in Sligo, the students attended Mercy College, Sligo and enjoyed various activities while in Sligo, one of the highlights was Surfing in Strandhill. This is one of several exchanges between both towns, Third level students from ATU Mechatronic Engineering Department have also an annual exchange between their counterparts in Kempten, facilitated and promoted by Sligo Town Twinning.
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Sligo Fleadh to welcome over 400 talented competitors for plenty of ceol agus craic
This year's Fleadh was officially launched by Junior Minister Marian Harkin at a function in the Mercy College, Sligo, on Saturday evening last. Following an opening address by the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Declan Bree, County Board Chairman, Tim Mulcahy, outlined the programme of events for the weekend which includes an opening session at the Riverside Hotel on Friday night and a full programme of competitions on Saturday and Sunday at the Mercy College, with up to 400 competitors taking part. Thanking Minister Harkin for making herself available at short notice, due to a family bereavement of Minister Dara Calleary, he went on to outline the events that Sligo County Board were promoting this year, including Ceol an Gheimhridh and the many local Comhaltas festivals throughout Sligo. Mr. Mulcahy thanked Eamon Scanlon TD, all the elected members that attended and was generous in his praise for the Local Authority and their continuous help and support it gives Comhaltas. He wished all the competitors the best of luck in their endeavours and thanked his fellow County Board officers for all their hard work in preparing for the Fleadh. He also thanked all the volunteers who had committed to help run the Fleadh over the weekend. The evening finished off with some refreshments and some great music from branch members throughout the county. The MC for the night was Bartley Gavin.
