Final Geography Project Links!

The following are the links to my geography project which started with the Original Rudeboys in Ireland and led to America and back to Ireland again !!



The Original Rudeboys - Pt 1!!
Hip Hop in the Bronx, New York Pt 2 !!
The Bronx,New York Pt 3 !!
Ralph Lauren Pt 4 !!
Beverly Hills Pt 5 !!
Marilyn Monroe Pt 6 !!

Sci -Fest!!

Yesterday most of T.Y went to ITT (Institute Technology Tallaght) for the Sci- Fest competition! Shauna and I were in one group and our project was called 'Eye Spy'. The project is about optical illusions and how they are perceived! We discovered that adults and young children usually only see one part of the illusion while young adults ( approximately our age group15/16/17 year olds) see the optical illusions more clearly than everyone else.

We set up our project in a room and judges came around and asked us questions about it. I was quite nervous but it turned out fine in the end! We didn't get any prizes for our project but a few groups in our year did so I'm really happy for them!!! It was a really fun day and was worth doing the project for!

Geography- Marilyn Monroe Part 6!!

                                        


                                                 Marilyn Monroe

Norma Jeane Mortensen Baker , professionally recognized as Marilyn Monroe, was an American actress, model and singer.After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946 with Twentieth Century-Fox.Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances in ‘All about Eve’ drew attention to her.By 1953, Marilyn had progressed to a leading role in ‘Niagra’.She studied at the Actors Studio to broaden her range. Her dramatic performance in Bus Stop was hailed by critics, and she received a Golden Globe nomination.Monroe's final completed film was The Misfits, co-starring Clark Gable with the screenplay written by her then-husband, Arthur Miller. Her first husband was James Dougherty who was born in Texas. His grandparents were immigrants from England and Ireland.



                                                     Marilyn Monroe

Geography- Ralph Lauren part 4!!

                                                         




                                                                     Ralph Lauren



Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz in the Bronx, New York. He went to Baruch College where he studied business, although he dropped out after two years. He did not attend fashion school, but worked for Brooks Brothers as a salesman. In 1967,Lauren opened a tie store where he sold ties of his own design, under the label 'Polo'.

He later received the rights to use the trademark ‘Polo’ from Brooks Brothers.The first Ralph Lauren stand-alone store was in Beverly Hills, California. Ten years later, in 1981, the brand went global with its first international store on London's New Bond Street. The Polo Sport line was introduced in 1993. By 2007 Ralph Lauren had over 35 boutiques in the United States. Today, the stores sell clothing, accessories, fragrances and homeware.



                                                            Image from photobucket.com

Geography- The Bronx part 3!!

The Bronx, New York

Hip hop is a form of musical expression that originated in African-American and Hispanic-American communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically within the Bronx. As hip hop's popularity grew, performers began speaking ("rapping") in sync with the beats, and became known as MC's. The Bronx is home to many famous people including: Woody Allen, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Theodore Roosevelt and Ralph Lauren.



                                                           Geographical Information

• The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. 
• It is also known as Bronx County and has a population of 1,400,761.
• The Hudson river separates the Bronx on the west from places such as Alpine and New Jersey while the Harlem river separates it from Manhattan.

                                         
Image of The Bronx

Geography- Hip Hop part 2!!

                Hip Hop

Hip-hop music is a relatively new genre, dating back only about 30 years. It follow in the footsteps of previous American musical genres such as Blues, Jazz and Rock & Roll. Hip hop, also called rap music, is a musical genre consisting of a rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping. Hip hop singers, and break dancing was a way to be heard without violence. It is also said that Hip hop and even graffiti was a way to speak out against putting up the South Bronx express way. Graffiti was intentionally put on the trains so that it would be seen throughout New York. People wanted to be heard. With so much international influence, hip-hop music quickly spread around the globe. It has influenced everything from fashion to dance to graffiti, becoming a cultural movement all on its own. Many say that modern hip-hop is made up of three elements: the DJ, rap, and break-dancing. Internationally, hip-hop has emerged as the world's favorite youth culture.


                                             

Geography Project - 'A travelling Man's Trip" around the world Part 1!!

The Original Rudeboys

Last week we were given a geography project to link various things to each other and around the world. My project is beginning in Dublin where the Original Rudeboys are from!

The Original Rudeboys are a band from Dublin, Ireland.They are known mainly for their single "Stars In My Eyes" which hit number 2 on iTunes and has received national airplay. They have played venues such as The Olympia Theatre and have also played at festivals such as Oxegen and the Reading and Leeds Festival. The band consists of Sean "Neddy" Arkins (Vocals), Robert Burch (Guitar and Vocals) and Sean Walsh (Ukulele). The band's genre has been described as a cross between hip hop and indie. Since forming, The Original Rudeboys have released two singles ‘Stars in My Eyes’ and ‘Travelling Man’ and in March 2012 they released their first album ‘This Life’!!


                                                              Geographical Facts on Dublin

• Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland. 
• It is situated on the River Liffey and has a population of over 1.66 million people.
• Dublin has one of the fastest growing populations of any European capital city.
• An interesting fact is that Dublin records the least amount of rainfall in Ireland.
• Also, Dublin city covers a land of 115 square kilometres.

                            
This picture is from: Hotpress Magazine 2012!!

Circle of Friends !!

The novel I have read is 'Circle of Friends' by Maeve Binchy. The novel has various settings, the first being Knockglen- a small village, home to Benny Hogan and Eve Malone. Benny's family own ' Hogans Outfitters' and Benny is an only child. Eve is an orphan who lives in the convent, where she was raised. Benny and Eve become childhood friends quickly.Soon they are finished school and are going to college. Benny plans to go to UCD but Eve cannot afford to and so she decides to join a convent in Dublin. On the first day of college there is a car accident and a student named Francis Hegarty is killed. In college, a circle of friends begins to form including: Nan Mahon, Benny, Eve, Jack Foley and Aiden Lynch. Back in Knockglen, Benny's parents are hoping she will marry the shop assistant Seán Walsh. But Benny has no interest in him and instead falls in love with Jack Foley. Jack and Benny begin a relationship but it is difficult as Benny is always at home in Knockglen while Jack is in Dublin. Eve leaves the convent in Dublin and goes to 'Westlands' where her cousin Simon Westward lives. Eve hates Simon because the Westwards disowned Eve's mother when she was younger. Eve asks Simon for money to pay for college as she feels she is owed it. Simon gives her the money and she starts college with Benny. Nan Mahon, a friend of both Benny and Eve, begins a relationship with Simon Westward. Eve is shocked and hurt. Towards the end of the novel Nan discovers she is pregnant with Simons child but he refuses to have anything to do with it. Nan tricks Jack into believing the baby is his after he had cheated on Benny. In the end, Nan loses the baby due to a fight she had with Eve. Jack tries to get back together with Benny but she refuses. The story ends with the circle of friends continuing their relationships.


Overall, I really enjoyed the novel and would recommend it.

                                       
                                       

Music Night!!!!

Last night was the music night. People and classes from all years joined in. T.Y Classes Eriu and Banba sang 'Shake it Out' by Florence and the Mahine. Thanks to Ms O' Reilly's dedication in helping us practice the song as many times as we could all went well!! Class Fodla performed 'Wake me Up'. Unfortunately we were stuck backstage so could not see anyone else perform but it was all recorded on camera.

Well done to everyone who took part!!
Below is the link to 'Shake it Out'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCWnVznnWcs

Lollipop Day!!

A few weeks ago, all the TY's went to town for Lollipop Day. We walked to the Powerscourt Centre where we split into groups and were given badges, lollipops and stickers to sell. They were 2 euro each and were in aid of Oesophageal Cancer. There were four in my group and we stood on Nasseau Street selling lollipops. People were extremely generous and we sold all of our lollipops, badges etc. I really enjoyed helping to raise money for such a good cause. It was a great day!!


                                           http://www.lollipopday.ie/Committee.html

The Great Gatsby- Book Review!!

  The novel I have read is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is set on Long Island and in New York City. The story is told from the point of view of Nick Carraway as he spends one summer in New York in the 1920's. Nick lives in a house next door to the mansion where the mysterious Jay Gatsby lives . Jay throws lavish parties in the mansion with many guests. At one of these parties Jay and Nick meet for the first time and form a strange friendship.

  Even though Gatsby has all the things he could ever want, he still isn't satisfied and we discover why in the story!  Nick finds out that years ago Jay fell in love with a girl called Daisy who is also Nicks's cousin. Daisy has always loved Gatsby but is married to another man called Tom Buchanan.

  Nick arranges for Daisy and Gatsby to meet once more. After this encounter the two begin an affair but Tom (Daisy's husband) begins to suspect this. After some background research Tom discovers that Jay made his money through illegal gambling. Jay and Daisy drive back to New York but with emotions running high Daisy kills a women, but because Gatsby is so in love with her he is willing to take the blame.

  George Wilson (the husband of the women who Daisy murdered) finds out the car that killed his wife belongs to Gatsby and he shoots Jay dead.

  In the end Nick arranges a funeral for Jay and moves back to New York.
 
  Overall, it has'nt been my favourite book, even though many other people would disagree ! I've now started reading 'Circle of Friends' by Maeve Binchy. So far, so good !!!

Work Experience at Arnotts !!!!

From the 27th of Feb- 2nd March TY's had work experience . I worked in 'Homemade' by Clodagh @ Arnotts!! On the first day I was in the bakery. It was really fun and I helped make cookies and cakes! The next day I was in the cold kitchen making salads and sandwiches and quiches. I was in the kitchen and the cold kitchen on Wednesday and on Thursday I did promotional work by handing out leaflets to customers. I also worked front of house serving people. There was a childrens charity fundraiser on Friday so on Thursday we made boxes for 250 cupcakes which Clodagh was donating to the event!! On Friday I was back in the bakery and made American style coconut, hazelnut and chocolate cookies!!! They tasted so nice and were sold in the food market beside the restaurant!

I was so sad to be leaving on Friday and had such a great week. I would definitely recommend this work placement to everyone!!!

My Busy Bag!!

The name of my group's mini company is ' My Busy Bag'.It is a small compact bag with all the necessities a girl would need on a night out such as, tan wipes, clips, bobbins, mini deodorant etc!!
On 22nd Feb was the mini company competition. We set up our stand with a sample of our products and hung a banner with the name of the company. We were all extremely nervous.
In the end our group didn't get through to the Kildare finals but we hope to continue on with our product!!

Our Pilgrimage to Kildare & St. Brigid!

     The 1st of February was St. Brigids Day.The religion teachers thought it would be a good idea to bring us on a pilgrimage to Kildare town because St Brigid is associated with Kildare. It is said that she spread her cloak over the Curragh of Kildare and claimed that land.
    
     When we arrived we went to the tourist information office where we watched a short film on the history of St Brigid and how she is associated with Kildare. Afterwards, we went to the Church of Ireland and looked around the church. Behind it was a round tower- the second tallest in Ireland and the 'Fire Temple' which is where bonfires were set in the time of Brigid to tell people to come to the church.
    
     We went to St Brigids church after this but it was closed so we could'nt see the inside of it. We had lunch soon after and went to Kildare Village shopping outlet.  We then walked a good distance to get to the first well of our journey. It was semi-circular and we all walked across the stepping stones and blessed ourselved with the Holy water from the well. It was also the oldest of the two wells.
    
     The next well was about a ten minute walk away. It had a statue of St Brigid and there was a stream with candles that people had placed around it. Some of us walked around the well and said the Rosary. We had time to reflect and then left the well after that. We walked back to Kildare village and got the bus home!

              
                                    http://goireland.about.com/od/countykildare/ig/Kildare-Image-Gallery/Saint-Brigid-s-Well.htm







                                     

A Four Foot Box. A Foot for Every Year.

On Tuesday all the T.Y's went to Mullingar for a drama competition. Class Eriu and Banba were competing against some other schools in the competition!
Class Eriu had two plays 'Concrete Angel' and 'Midterm Break'. There were eleven in our group and we performed Midterm Break. This was based on the poem by Seamus Heaney. I played the part of a girl who's younger brother died and she comes home from school to find her parents really upset. My line was at the very end- "A four foot box. A foot for every year".  It was a sad play but I really enjoyed acting in it!

I really enjoyed watching both Eriu's and Banba's plays. They were really imaginative!! We were allowed leave after we had finished so we went to McDonalds for lunch and the just walked around Mullingar!

It had been a great day :) 

'Fighting Words' English Workshop!

Last week class Eriu went to a 'Fighting Words' workshop in Dublin to help us with our creative writing skills.
We left school at 1 o' clock. We arrived and were greeted by Sorcha who helped us write a group essay. We then split up individually and worked on finishing the essay the way we wanted it to end. I wrote a page but still have to finish it!