Success for two local schools in Cathaoirleach’s Awards

Cathaoirleach Cllr Laurence Fallon launched Roscommon’s Cruinniú na nÓg programme last week with visits to four schools to present the Cathaoirleach Awards for their Rock Art Trails. Two schools in this area – Scoil na nAingeal Naofa Boyle and Ballyfarnon NS won awards for their trails.

5th class from Scoil na nAingeal Naofa coordinated the project. Their rock art is based on the folklore of the town and on the story of Úna Bhán and Tomás Láidir. Úna and Tomás fell in love and when they died they were buried on Trinity Island in Lough Key Forest Park. Legend tells us that two trees grew and intertwined over their graves and this mirrored the love they had for each other. This is where the idea for their rock art came from. In their display, there are two trees intertwined and underneath there is a love heart. This love heart has stones with pictures of their heroes. These are heroes from families and the locality including – Gardaí, doctors, nurses, teachers, grannies, grandads, mums, dads and pets. 5^th class made sure that every student in the school got to paint a rock and include it in the display.

Ballyfarnon NS painted birds, bees, butterflies, fish, leaves, trees, fruit, vegetables, rivers, insects and also added some inspirational sayings related to the Tidy Towns. Everything they painted was inspired by their heroes, the Tidy Towns committee who donated plants, seeds and seedlings to the school and supported them in their endeavours to create and maintain an organic polytunnel in the school. They have come on litter picking outings with them, and have sponsored eco trips.

The trail is located in Kilronan Forest with the message Tidy Towns Committee.