Our P6 and P7 pupils enjoyed their second Shared Education event this week with a trip to the Ulster American Folkpark outside Omagh with their partners from Derryhale P.S.
The pupils are jointly learning all about 'An Górta Mór - The Great Famine' and they were delighted to be able to visit the folkpark to help bring their learning to life. They experienced what it was like to live in a small thatch cottage before the onset of Famine and explored how the failure of the potato crop over numerous years impacted so horribly on the lives of the poor in Ireland at that time.
Next up, the boys and girls learning all about the 'Assisted Travel' system of the time, where some 'lucky' people were supported and enabled to make the perilous journey of emigration to America and other places. This involved entering a sailing vessel, which later became known as a 'Coffin Ship' and learning about the horrendous conditions on these vessels. And finally, they were brought through to the New World American exhibition which showcased the new life that many of the emigrants would have encountered IF they were lucky enough to make it off the Coffin Ship.
To finish the day off we toured the remaining exhibits in the museum during our free time. All in all, this was a fabulous trip for the pupils to work with their counterparts in Derryhale and explore together how the Great Famine impacted the lives of many millions of people on this island.
A huge word of thanks to everyone at Derryhale P.S. for joining us on the day and of course to our own pupils who, yet again, displayed their amazing manners, fanrasric respect for the museum and excellent behaviour throughout the day. Maith sibh go léir!
P6 & P7 Teachers
