Where better to take a special class portrait to send to America but on the fields and vistas outside the school building. These are some of the children from the Drumgallagh National School in the village of Ballycroy, County Mayo.

The Children of Ireland

THE IRISH AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP

The future of our heritage in Ireland, and probably, in fact, the future of Ireland itself, largely depends upon the energy, the minds and the enthusiasm of the young Irish people of today. This is a brief pictorial look at some of those children as they learn about life in the more rural and distressed parts of Ireland. All of the children shown and their schools have benefited from American generosity through The Irish American Partnership.

Remembering their Irish Heritage, hundreds of Partnership members and supporters remain connected to the villages and towns of their families through their donations to The Irish American Partnership. In cooperation with Dublin’s Department of Education & Science and the Northern Ireland Board of Education, the schools received funds for library books, science learning equipment, computers, musical equipment and in one case even a new building.

This review has several purposes: first to celebrate the children of Ireland, second to show the general rural school conditions that they experience, third to see the enthusiasm with which their gifts from the United States are received and finally to suggest your own donation to the Partnership’s work.

These pictures came to us from Ireland’s dedicated principals and teachers who care for and help educate the future of our heritage.

Scoil Naisiunta (National School) Ard Carna. Every day, nearly 200 days each year, the rural children of Ireland, from the ages of 6 to 12, spend their learning time in schools like this in the village of Carna, County Galway.

Scoil Naomh Gobnait, in Dungarvan, County Waterford, showing appreciation for their new American connection.

Supporting the Future of our Heritage

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In South Kerry, amidst Ireland’s highest moun-tains and deepest valleys, hidden from all except the most fearless travelers, exists the Black Valley National School, a primary school, educating 25 young children - ages 3 to 11. The school is one of 200 Irish primary schools which have received multiple Irish American Partnership grants. If not the most remote of all Irish schools this is certainly the most dramatic scenery any child will see on their way to class. A seven or eight foot wide road - pre-venting any possibility to pass an oncoming car - requires very careful driving and lots of experience. Unexpected U-turns strain the driver’s neck to see what’s coming around the bend. Savage cliffs alternate with tumbling rock fields on either side of the road. Tourists pay good money to be taken here; these 25 fortunate students see it every day. Kerry’s Black Valley was the last place in Ireland to receive electricity. Before 1978 it was candles and kerosene lamps that lit the way. The telephone - and therefore computers did not arrive until 1991. Small schools, like this, breed an unusual loyalty between students. The older ones take care of the younger. This becomes habit-forming and lasts a life-time. Even in high school and college, a bond exists that brings caring and friendship to the extent that a special camaraderie will carry on for years. The nearly private school atmosphere, and its teachers’ warm and generous nature, have led to competi-tive results. They decided to enter a team of last year’s 6th graders into the Science Competition in Tralee (Science is now a priority subject in Irish primary schools). This was the first time Black Valley had taken such a step in science. The school, all its students, par-ents, neighbors, and friends were delighted with the team’s third place showing. An endorsement for every-one, especially for The Irish American Partnership donors who funded the new science awareness program.

HOPE AND LEARNING IN THE BLACK VALLEY, COUNTY KERRY

Even on a bright, sunny day, the school is hard to see from the narrow road high above the valley.

A happy school, genuine smiles and a caring atmosphere.

The whole school, teachers and students. Parents visiting the school are completely at home in this rug-ged countryside.

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Katie O’Brien (left) of the Inchigeela Na-tional School near Macroom West Cork. Katie sent the note be-low to thank The Irish American Partnership. Katie was seven years old when she wrote.

THE UNBREAKABLE LAW OF HERITAGE IS DESCRIBED AS …

“Something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth.”*

Irish Americans stand proudly as descendants of the courageous Irish travelers who left their homesteads to find fulfillment, happiness, and a better life here in America. This is our ancestry - to be celebrated and honored by us all.

* Webster’s College Dictionary

Inchigeela is a small rural town nes-tled into the West Cork hills. The primary school is located just be-hind the buildings on the left. The bridge in the distance allows children from both sides of the River Lee to attend the school. Seventy-five children from the ages of 5-12 attend. Three teachers are responsible for all six grades and pre-school. In 160 years the population of this area has fallen from 5,740 to 1,760. It is slowly recovering.

Fifth and sixth graders of the Inchigeela School play for American visitors.

A SMALL TOWN IN WEST CORK

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Ballyduff National School, County Kerry

St. Matthew's Primary School, Short Strand, Belfast Gap of Dunloe School, Kenmare, County Kerry

Ballinspittle National School, Kinsale, County Cork

Dromore National School, Killygordon, County Donegal Glentogher National School, Carndonagh, County Donegal

St. Patrick's Primary School, Pennyburn, County Derry

St. Malachy’s Primary School, Castlewellan, County Down

16 SCHOOLS, 300 IRISH CHILDREN, 10 COUNTIES NORTH AND

5 Scoil Naisiunta Ard Carna, Carna, County Galway

Scoil Mhuire, County Longford

Carnacon National School, Ballyglass, County Mayo

St. Michael’s National School, Stradone, County Cavan

Scoil Chaitigheirn, Eyeries, Beara, County Cork Cromane National School, Killorglin, County Kerry

Brownknowe National School, Ramelton, County Donegal Our Lady of Mercy Girls School, Belfast, County Antrim

SOUTH, SAY THANK YOU TO IRISH AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTERS

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The Partnership is pleased to have initiated and participate in a new test program designed to promote the building of science interest and awareness in rural primary school children. In a joint $300,000 three-year project with Ireland’s Department of Education and Science, the Partnership designated 15 schools in South Kerry to begin a test program. Its purpose is to determine the most effective ways to interest young people in Science and Technology. A trained and experienced teacher supervisor under the direction of St. Patrick’s Teaching College in Dublin has visited each school to implement the program.

The teachers were given prepared lessons. Resources that were required to implement the lessons were procured and sent directly to schools. Training in the use of the lesson plans and resources was provided at various meetings.

The first and second levels of funding have been provided by the Partnership and the Department of Education and Science to both St. Patrick’s College and each of the 15 primary schools.

The Partnership is honored to play such a role in Ireland’s future and is grateful to its American donors who made the program possible. The Partnership will report regularly on the program’s progress.

$300,000 PARTNERSHIP SCIENCE PROGRAM IN SOUTH KERRY

KENMARE BOYS NATIONAL SCHOOL

“The future of our Irish Heritage is very important to me.”

- Patrick Delaney, Ohio, Partnership Donor

SCIENCE PROGRAM EXPANSION INTO GALWAY, MAYO & DONEGAL

Teacher training, support and recognition, the formation of cooperating clusters of remote area schools, a focus upon children nine to twelve years of age and a traveling professional facilitator were found to be the key elements of a successful program. The program will continue to be supervised by St. Patrick’s Teaching College in Dublin. With the addition of three new counties (including three school clusters and fifteen schools) and the continuation of the South Kerry fifteen-school program, it is estimated that over 1,500 young Irish students in disadvantaged rural areas will receive the benefit of the new science program.

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THE IRISH AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP

“The Irish American Partnership’s focus on economic development and, in particular, on education, plays an important role in developing our young people, and through them building and growing our econ-omy. I believe that The Irish American Partnership focuses on the critical issues.

I salute all of the individuals and corporations who have supported the Partnership and I commend it to you as worthy of further support for the excellent work which they are doing.”

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern Prime Minister of Ireland

TEACHING AN INTEREST IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

GRAVITY, MOTION, AND BALANCE

BIOLOGY AND HEALTH SCIENCES

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We have built many constructive, trusting relationships on all sides in Northern Ireland over the years. Recent examples are the 600+ student Protestant Enniskillen Model Primary School headed by Principal Winston Glass in Fermanagh, and in Derry, the 900+ student Catholic St. Patrick’s Primary School led by Principal Martin Coyle. Both communities have been home to sectarian violence in years past. Showing that we, in America, care about their futures has been highly valued by students, parents and faculty. Both schools have received multiple Partnership grants.

PRIMARY SCHOOL TRADITIONS IN FERMANAGH AND DERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND

Many of the 600+ students bicycle to and from school from a wide radius of the surrounding area. The town of Enniskillen is 11,500 strong.

The playground at St. Patrick’s during recess. For many, the most enjoyable part of the day.

A competitive academic team from Enniskillen waiving to the camera after a victory. Involvement in extracurricular activities is strongly encouraged.

Children of Derry City in First class strengthening their creative skills at an early age at St. Patrick’s.

Students at Enniskillen Model Primary School in Fermanagh showing off a computer workstation. These pictures were part of a package of appreciation from the students to Partnership members.

Students studying hard at St. Patrick’s Primary in Pennyburn, Derry City. These pictures were sent in thanks for Partnership support.

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EAST AND WEST BELFAST

ST. LOUISE’S GIRLS SCHOOL West Belfast

On the Falls Road in West Belfast, St. Louise’s is the largest Catholic girls school in Western Europe with 2,400 students. The Partnership has been working with St. Louise’s staff for 7 years, providing funds for library books and new reading materials. A Partnership leadership group vis-ited the school in 2004 to witness a community debate with over 800 attendees. The young women who have graduated from St. Louise’s have gained access to higher education both in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Please help us continue to support schools like St. Louise’s and Beechfield in 2007 and 2008.

BEECHFIELD SCHOOL East Belfast

In East Belfast the Beechfield School with 94 Protestant students can be seen on the other side of this “peace line.” These walls, shown at left, found throughout parts of Belfast were erected to limit violence between the two com-munities, but they also have the affect of isolating the people from each other. The Partnership has funded many projects at Beechfield.

BEECHFIELD BEHIND THE “PEACE LINE”

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The photographs and comments below were sent to us from Mairead Kissane, Principal of the Scoil Mhuire National School in Caherciveen, County Kerry.

“Before the term finishes I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and The Irish American Partnership most sincerely for your very generous donation of ��������������� �������� As you are probably aware we are financed by the Department of Education and Science but are very

limited by this funding. We also rely on parental funding and donations to meet the school’s running costs.” - Mairead Kissane

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FIVE HUNDRED YOUNG CATHOLIC BELFAST WOMEN FIND SAFE HAVEN

About 1:30am Sunday morning, September 11, 2005, this now charred automobile was crashed into the closed and locked gate surrounding Our Lady of Mercy. The car was then driven about 50 yards towards the main entrance, smashed into the reception hallway, and set afire. The picture above was taken shortly after 11 am on Sunday by Principal Peter Daley. Firemen had pulled the vehicle out of the school.

The courtyard before preparations.

After new surface and new tables.

Students posing in their new courtyard.

This story concerns a Catholic girls school in North Bel-fast and a Catholic priest (a Monsignor in fact) from Greenville, Texas.

Monsignor John V. McCallum served as a priest at St. William’s Catholic Church in Greenville for 20 years and had been a supporter of The Irish American Partnership for several years. His first gifts were modest - $450 for two schools in Donegal.

Monsignor McCallum died in early 2005 leaving a gift of $15,000 to The Irish American Partnership to be used on be-half of education for Catholic young people in Northern Ire-land. Upon the advice of some Catholic friends in Belfast we selected six schools to receive $2,500 each. Partnership staff traveled to Northern Ireland to present these checks when they ran into the chaos and rioting of September 2005.

Renting a car that Monday morning was discouraged since the Orange Order and Loyalist Paramilitaries were still organizing indiscriminate roadblocks, pulling people from their cars, emptying their pockets and burning their vehicles.

Friends agreed to drive us to the selected school in Belfast and the other five checks were mailed from the hotel. The school to be visited was Our Lady of Mercy in the Ballysil-lan area of North Belfast. Unfortunately Our Lady’s had been severely damaged in the rioting Saturday evening when a car was driven through the locked gates, into the entranceway and set afire.

Principal Peter Daley met the Partnership staff at the rear door. The smell of day-old fire permeated the corridors.

Twenty-five years ago the Our Lady of Mercy neighbor-hood was a mixed area, today the neighborhood is entirely Loyalist.

Five hundred Catholic girls attend classes here every weekday. They cannot walk to school for fear of being as-saulted; they must pay for private buses (the city pays for longer distances) or be driven by their parents.

In fact, because of the large Loyalist housing estate across the street, the front of the school is considered so unsafe that students must stay inside at recess or play in the interior courtyard.

In the past, there have been missiles thrown and constant verbal abuse when the girls showed themselves.

Mr. Daley asked if he could use the $2,500 gift to prepare a play area inside the courtyard. He wanted to place tables and in the spring bring flowers into the yard.

In the big scheme of things a $2,500 gift and an improved more friendly recess area may not seem to be important, but the girls that use the courtyard every day know that Ameri-cans care and want to help.

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We have reproduced below a particularly emotional letter from a school repeatedly un-der duress in Northern Ireland. American generosity here will be long remembered. Your assistance is very meaningful to such isolated schools.