2nd Year
Sensory Sensations

2017

Escape to Bardolino

Bardolino is a beautiful Italian town on the coast of the stunning lake Garda. I visited Bardolino this summer on my family vacation, while staying in Salionze off the Minico river. Although every day my family and I would visit a different location, for many reasons this unique and delightful town on the south-east coast of the lake stood out to me.
 
The journey to Bardolino from our campsite in Salionze is a joyful car ride. You travel across the country by the busy motorway. Driving on the Italian motorway is a danger to yourself as they are quite reckless, zooming by at 200kmph on a 130km road. But you are struck with awe when an elegant car speeds by as you watch it become slowly smaller and blend in with the iridescent fleet of cars. Once you've taken your exit, you are traveling through windy, complex, country roads, with radiant vineyard fields at either side. Travelling in silence and taking in the captivating, admirable scenery and its beauty is awe-inspiring.
 
After parking your car, you step out onto a grey cobblestone pavement. You are greeted by the blazing, bright sunbeams and a gentle, nippy breeze. The sky is streamed with wispy, fluffy clouds. The majestic trees are surrounded by fluorescent, kaleidoscopic flowers of all colours. After applying glossy sun cream, a chilled ice cream is ideal to quickly cool yourself. If you follow the path along the water of the lake, you will eventually reach the little town. At the very beginning, there is a petit ice cream store named Gelateria that serves many different tropical, extravagant flavours. Unfortunately, due to of the intense heat, if you don't swiftly consume your delicious treat it will quickly melt.
 
Once you've finished your ice cream, if you retake the path you took back towards your car, you will notice a flotilla of paddle boats, beckoning you to purchase and sail around the lakes beach. For a reasonable price, you can rent one for an hour. Once you're afloat, you can enjoy the delightful ride with great pleasure. You will be lost in the bewitching view ahead of the gorgeous lake and its coastal scenery. You can paddle out into the waters of lake Garda, and feel the rush of the wind whipping through your hair. Once you feel as if you've reached far enough, you can dive off the little boat into the azure, scintillating water. It is almost to describe the sense of joy and contentment you will feel swimming in such a natural, enchanting setting.
 
After you've returned the paddle boat, you can again walk along the pavement until you come to a little beach. Stroll down the steps and place your beach towel and bag against the wall and go straight for the water. Be warned, the stones in the lake are very painful, and the locals will laugh as you screech in misery as the pointy pebbles dig into the soles of your feet causing agonising pain. I would recommend that you begin swimming as soon as you are knee deep to avoid any unnecessary pain. Head towards the diving platform, and climb up the rusty ladder onto the wooden space. Take a run and jump, and splash into the sparkling, forget-me-not blue water. Touch the bottom of the sandy lake and feel the vegetation wrap around your legs. You will I am sure, like me, be disappointed when you are told that it is time to leave and head to Bardolino town and get dinner.

We happened to stop at the first place we saw, but Yacht restaurant turned out to be a grand affair. We sat inside under the air conditioning which blasted cold air down our necks. I specifically remember ordering a margherita pizza. Italian pizza is noting like the Irish pizza we have here. The pizza in Italy is mouthwatering and divine. It's truly scrumptious, and you will have never tasted anything similar until you try it.
 
After your food, you are welcome to wander around Bardolino town. In the centre, there is a marvellous church that was named Parrocchia Nicolò e Severo,with stunning exterior and striking interior. The grand, spectacular paintings on the roof are stupendous images, and I enjoy art greatly, hope to one day create a breathtaking masterpiece like those in the church.
 
Although I have visited many incredible places in my lifetime, the unique Bardolino stood out to me for many reasons. I would love to travel the world when I'm finished my college education, and Bardolino would be a definite must to revisit. 

Katie Brennan

Out on Its Own..

The smooth, chocolatey taste of a Toblerone with the perfect mix of sticky honey and almond nougat give this bar its truly unique taste.
The combination of indulgent and sophisticated ingredients makes this a sumptuous, mouth-watering treat.
The Mexican honey in the classic milk chocolate Toblerone  give this bar its intense aroma and exquisite flavour.

Pavlova

The crisp, crunchy meringue crust. The soft, squishy, gooey inside. The
smooth, fluffy, cream, tops the pavlova off, with fresh, nectarous fruits.
Pavlova is a light, delicious, heavenly dessert and is enjoyed by all.

Katie Brennan

Chicken Curry

As soon as the piping hot spoon full of ember curry and white rice hits your mouth an explosion of spicy, strong, curry flavour erupts in your mouth.  The fierce flavour of herbs and exotic spices mixes with the fluffy, white, soft, sticky, grainy rice to perfect this delicious meal.

Ailbhe McNamara

Fajitas

Nothing could ever beat tender chicken pieces coated in spice mixed with crunchy and sweet red peppers and onions, eye-wateringly hot salsa and cool sour cream. When mixed, it's all wrapped in a soft, floury tortilla. The perfect blend of soft and crunchy, of spicy and sweet is pure heaven and leaves you perfectly satisfied every time. 

Emily Keane

Palatable Veggie Panini


The soft, airy, fresh white bread crunches in my mouth. The stringy,
cheesy mozzarella sticks to my fingers. The sweet plum tomatoes burst
with flavour and the corn kernels pop with a burst of sweetness when you
bite down.

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Dessert


​Nothing beats the chocolatey taste of a chocolate fondant freshly baked in the oven. The rich, treacly, melted chocolate runs from the fluffy sponge like water running from a stream. The scrumptious sponge blends beautifully with the thick chocolate, forming a taste so mouthwatering it could not be forgotten.

Carbonara

The creamy thick sauce of a Carbonara perfectly complements the succulent bacon.

​Topped with fresh Parmesan and served on tagliatelle it makes the perfect meal. 

Sandwich:
 left over roast beef from the Sunday dinner

The crunchy and doughy  bread and the soft, succulent moist beef is the perfect end to a dull Monday.  This  is the perfect finger licking snack or lunch. A little dollop   of HP sauce makes the flavours combine perfectly.

 Pepperoni pizza

My favourite meal by a long shot is a juicy pepperoni pizza. The sweet tomato sauce is smothered with delicious mozzarella cheese that melts into one delicious topping over the beautiful crunchy base. Thick slices of spicy, peppery pepperoni wrap up this piece de resistance!

Coca Cola

When someone asks what my favourite drink is my answer is always classic Coke. The sweet, spicy carbonated drink, saturated with sugar. The first sip you take of coke will make your eyes sting with the spice and your mouth fill with the refreshing, foamy bubbles. Served with a handful of freezing ice cubes. The distinctive flavour of Coca Cola is my favourite

Hot Chocolate

​The rich luxurious chocolate taste with fluffy melt in your mouth marshmallows and whipped cream topped with crumbled flake on the top is always perfect on a winter evening

Fanta

This carbonated refreshing drink has a delightful rich orangy taste. Best served ice cold straight from the fridge it will sooth everyone’s taste buds. The tangy, bubbly drink can be added to any meal without question.
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Strawberry Cheesecake

​My favourite dessert is a strawberry cheesecake.
The gorgeous taste of strawberry with the soft texture mixes really well with the crunch of the base. I love strawberry cheesecake, it's too bad I have only ever had it once.

2016

The Dressing of the Tree


​A day I love to revisit every year is that precious time just before Christmas.  A time when my family gathers together for a very special tradition, a ritual I have known all my life- decorating my grandparents’ enormous Christmas tree. This is one of the many customs my family has fostered and it is one of my favourites. From the arranging the festive ornaments and lights that bedeck this fine artificial fir tree to relaxing and indulging in heavenly food and  simply having fun.  I look forward to this every year because I love spending time with my family and cherish the memories we make.
 
 
Three weeks before Christmas my mother’s family assemble at my grandparents’ house. The day begins with the ritual unpacking of storage boxes brimming with baubles, tinsel and various Christmas ornaments whilst listening to festive songs on the radio.  Every family member has a role to play.  The men in the family, including my grandad, dad and uncles take on the task of erecting the giant l tree. My grandma, mom and aunties do their best to untangle the assortment of twinkling fairy lights. Once these tedious jobs have been dealt with, the women proceed to adorn and dress the great tree. I laugh at the fuss and chatter, inevitable disagreements and sheer playfulness of it all.
 
 My grandma is definitely the matriarch of her kin and her word is law.  We all stand to attention as she instructs and directs.  Each delicate trinket and sequinned ribbon is hung with precision and suspended in a wonderful display, on the frosted white coloured spikes of the branches.  During the entire procedure my grandma sits perched in her plumped up cushioned armchair, sipping hot tea from her favourite ceramic mug.   With soft small hands and manicured rose pink nails, she munches on her favourite Marks and Spencer's biscuits which she dunks into her Barry’s Gold Blend Tea.
 
My grandparents have a huge conservatory and so can afford the space for their majestic tree. It is decorated in the most beautiful colours of jolly red and jubilant gold, with a twinkle of crystal. The Christmas tree is made all the more special because it is bedecked with an eclectic, quirky assortment of decorations, many of which have sentimental value. When I gaze at the tree I seek out the Newbridge silver framed baby pictures of each grandchild.  The tinsel and sequins reflect the lights of my grandad’s toy train.  The train travels around the tracks that spiral from bottom to top, choo choo-ing and chugging as it goes. My grandma loves birds and has little ornamental Robins with glitzy red bodies and sparkling gold plumage. My mom and her sister always make fun of these figurines, teasing my grandma by hanging them around the house or hiding them in her bedroom. You just never know where one of these a plastic birds is likely to show up.
 
The tree is so tall a large fold up ladder is needed to reach the very top branches. There is always fierce rivalry amongst the grandchildren when it comes to hanging up the decorations. When my granddad proudly places the sacred, translucent, twinkling crystal star on the blessed top we all indulge in a shared sigh of satisfaction.
 
After a hard day’s work all the family like to sit down and indulge in a well- deserved lunch served up by my mom and dad. Ham sandwiches but, not just any old ham sandwiches. The ham is boiled to perfection by my mom the night before and expertly cut into mouth-watering wedges by my dad. The clinking of china cups brimming with tea and clanking of plates evokes such comfort and satisfaction. Brennan's soft, doughy white bread spread with rich creamy butter and piled high with slices of mouth-watering salty ham never fails to satisfy. After gobbling down the delectable sandwiches and gulping mugs of much needed tea, next comes the inviting tins of Jacob's biscuits.  The dark, white and milk chocolate crumbly cookies vanish within minutes.
 
Decorating my grandparent’s awesome tree is one of the highlights of Christmas. Enjoying time together with extended family and indulging in festive fun is something I treasure. The end result, a beautifully adorned, illuminated Christmas tree and both of my grandparents replete with happiness. This is definitely a tradition hope to go enjoy for many years to come.

Lara O'Neill 2nd Year

Chocolate Fudge Cake

​The ambrosial aroma of chocolate fudge fills the room. The first taste and I'm in Heaven. The soft, moist, fluffy spoonful practically melts in my mouth. It tastes spectacular. The warm chocolate sauce drowned within the fudge gives the cake an extravagant, rich taste. My favourite part of this dessert however, is the unbeatable contrast between the warm, rich, chocolatey fudge and the fresh, cool, sweet flavour of the ripe strawberries on top!

​Emma Mullins, 2nd Year

Ham and Cheese Toasty

​After a hard day’s work at school, it’s nice to come home and recharge with a substantial snack. ‘The Ham and Cheese Toasty’ on a George Forman grill is guaranteed to hit the spot. My mouth waters when the smoky, melted cheese starts oozing out of the succulent sandwich and picking off the hardened, crispy cheese on the grill is, I have to admit, a guilty pleasure of mine. When I devour that first bite, the creamy, soft butter joins forces with the luxurious cheese and the succulent, salty ham. All encased in two spongy, crispy slices of ‘Brennans Bread’ 

A Day at the Beach

​Jumping into the chilly sea and floating away from shore I take in the strong smell of the salty sea . The sea shells crunch as people walk on top of them , some are pointy and hard others are smooth and small . The sand gets thicker and thicker as I I race down to the golden sandy beach that stretches for miles and miles . My heels sink into the soft grainy sandy .The sound of the waves crashing onto the shore and the shrieks of joy fill my ears. The sand flicks upwards it turns from a yellow to a mucky brown .

When I come back in I feel the cold bitter breeze hit my arms and legs. I am ravenous and go in search of a 99 . The crispy cone turns soggy as the creamy ice cream runs down it’s side . I bite off the chocolate flake and tiny little crumbles sprinkle  to the ground . I lie down on the beach towel again, it has faded from a hot pink all the way to salmon pinks and is rough to the touch . I gaze up at the sky and  examine the clouds that almost look like squishy marshmallows . To my left is a cliff that stretches up to about 50 meters . It has little ledges where the truly brave jump off into the ocean . I can see holidaymakers that look almost like mini figurines jumping in at different height doing different styles of jumps and landing in the ocean with a splash that can be heard a mile away . It is getting late the sun and the sun has begun to set . I observe the sky as it turns from red to orange to yellow and finally purple .

Emma Barnes, 2nd Year

Crisp Sandwich

One sandwich I love has to be a gorgeous crisp sandwich. Its scrumptious taste is wonderful . Best of all it’s so customizable as you are free to chose which type of bread and what flavour of crisps you’re in the mood for. My personal favourite type has to be two pieces of Brennans bread and a delicious packet of Hunky Dorys Buffalo crisps. The taste is extravagant as the slices of bread and crisps work perfectly together. This magical wonder of a sandwich is perfect to eat at any time of the day.

David Cox, 2nd Year

Sausage Casserole and Mash

Sausage casserole and mash is perfect comfort food for winter to warm you up. The buttery smooth mash with bronzed to perfection sausages covered in tangy sauce is simply heavenly.

Jessica Doyle, 2nd Year

The Rose

The rose stands proud and tall, swaying in the breeze. The rose floats, how softly it floats. A charming rich shade of fuchsia. It expresses such joy, such gratitude. The petals of the rose are so velvety and soft but the thorns so hard and prickly, if you are not careful will soon turn as pink as the rose itself. A fresh fragrant perfume fills the air.  I stand spell-bound by this flower’s beauty. How precious it looks cavorting in the wind with not a care in the world. Calmness and silence envelop me.

​Alannah Mongey, 2nd Year

Autumn Colours

​As I trudge through the piles of Autumn leaves, I gaze at the trees from which they have fallen. Their branches look bare and naked. The dark, earthy brown hue of the trees compliment the icy, blue sky perfectly. The trees are skirted by piles of Autumn gold, fiery red and rusty-coloured leaves. It looks beautiful and full of warmth. The windy-Autumn breeze blows and the piles of leaves come to life. They take to the air in a majestic dance, twirling and spinning around the old, large tree trunks, to their own rustling sound as if it is music. Once the Fall-breeze settles, the crispy, gold leaves end their dance. They land and form new piles, skirting the tall, Autumn trees once more. It looks magnificent! I walk on a bit further and the small pond by the park has begun to turn a white-blue shade, it will inevitably freeze for Winter. Little crystals of ice on the water surface are gleaming and glittering in the sun. I glance at the morning sky, it is a pale blue colour with fat, bloated clouds that look as if they’re going to burst and release a blanket of snow that will pave the way for Winter.

​Emma Mullins, 2ndYear

Autumn Colours

As I saunter to school each morning I observe the sky growing ever darker with each passing morning.  Turning from a cloudless cobalt blue to navy, thick with ash grey clouds just waiting to burst.

I can hear the crunch of leaves beneath me as I tread my predictable path .  Trees big and small lean over and form a canopy, shading the path beneath. The thick, large trunks of trees are covered in a caramel like, sticky sap and are sprinkled with a few  remaining leaves.

Each leaf is a different colour. Olive and pine green horse chestnut leaves are scattered across the ground as well as tawny and amber brown beech the same colour as the soil below.  The crisp leaves, ablaze with colour.  Amber and yam orange, mustard and medallion yellow and mahogany red.

Bundles of leaves are swept back and forth across the path by the fierce winds that arrive with Ireland’s autumnal weather.  Soon enough you will see people with hats, coats and scarves all decked out in a myriad of colours performing their own autumn dance.

Lara O'Neill, 2nd Year