News


Visit To UCD

On Wednesday the 22nd of November all the transition Year students headed to U.C.D for our talk on the college. When we arrived we were greeted with smiling faces which directed us to a lecture hall. We were then told the arrangements for the day and split into four groups which all were assigned to a leader. We were then given U.C.D souvenirs which consisted of a bag, pen, badge and a guide to all the courses and information we would require to know about the college. We then took a group photograph before we headed off in different directions with our leaders to view the campus and college.

We were brought to all different places around the campus including the largest lecture hall, the library, the study hall and the sports arena. We were shown all the different buildings and we got to ask our leader anything if we didn’t understand anything which was very helpful. We then had lunch and returned back to the hall. We were then asked questions about the day to see had been listening. We then got the opportunity to ask any questions about the college and the courses available. I found the trip to U.C.D extremely helpful and really beneficial. I have realized that I would like to go to college there and I am aware of the courses I would like to do and how much points are required and what exactly the course is. I really enjoyed the trip to U.C.D.

By Laura Keely

Transition Year Visit To St. Vincents Hospital

Today twenty-seven of us and Ms Kenny went to St. Vincent’s Hospital for a talk on the various professions in a hospital. We had talks on medicine, nursing, social work, radiography, occupational therapy, laboratory and science research and physiotherapy. During each talk we were told what the job consisted of, the different personality traits that you should have for each one and what courses you should do in college and the points needed for the different jobs. We were also told the salaries u could obtain in each profession.

After hearing each talk it gave me a far better idea of the jobs in a hospital I was interested in and those I’m now sure I definitely don’t want to do! After lunch we got a tour of the hospital by a medical student. There were many areas we could not access but it still gave us all a general idea of the different sections of the hospital.

To finish off the day we were given a short talk by Dr. Aidan Moriarty about some of the most common illnesses amongst young people in Ireland. This was very interesting. Overall I found this day to be very beneficial and worthwhile it gave me a very good insight into many of the professions in a hospital. I am very glad that I got the opportunity to come to this talk!

by Maria Dolan

Maynooth Open Day

I think it’s fair to say transition year has obtained and infamous status. “Easy”, a “waste”, and dare I say, a “doss”. The image of the hard working student has been misconstrued and twisted into that of a laid back, nonchalant teen. Us? Lazy? Of course not! So with this harsh stereotype in mind, the 4th years of St.Colmcilles set off to NUI Maynooth’s Open Day, to combat the narrow-minded view of our elders…and miss a full day of school.


NUI Maynooth is a charismatic university, situated 25km west of Dublin. It is Irelands first university town, including all the necessities for student living including a brand new juice bar, called, wait for it, Juicee Lucy (and they say 4th years are easily amused). The campus is astounding, combining beautifully the historical aspects of the grounds with the high tech new buildings.


Our tour began in the science labs, where we sampled elements of college classes. The experience helped ease our expectations of college life, and all feed back has been unanimously positive. After a cheap (because lets face it, students are spongers) lunch, we split into small groups and were given a guided tour of the grounds. The north campus is the newer area of the town, including the arts and science buildings, arts departments and student centres. The south side contains the old, more historic campus.


The day was enjoyed by all and on behalf of TY I would like to thank Ms. Kenny for making it happen.

By Cassie Delaney