Gortnamona N.S.

Our School Tour

Dublin 2011
We went on our school tour on the 18th of May. We went to the the Tomb of Tutankhamen and to the Natural History Museum in Dublin. We left the school at 9:20 am .It took us two hours to get to Dublin. We went to the tomb of Tutankhamen first. We had to wait about ten minutes before we got in because other people were in looking at the exhibition. When we got in we had to get these audio radio`s and headphones. At first we looked at a few exhibits. After that we looked at two videos about Howard Carter and Tutankhamen. When we were finished we got to look at the rest of the exhibits, then after that we went to the shop and then to the bus and then off to the Natural History Muesum.
When we went to the Natural history muesem we saw prehistoric animals and fish on the first floor and then we bought souvenirs. Then went to the second floor and saw modern day animals, we saw lions, primates, elephants, birds and other mammals. Then we went home on a bus for two hours.It was a good school tour!

Newgrange and Trim Castle 2010

On Tuesday the 20th of April,4th 5th and 6th went to Newgrange and Trim Castle in Co.Meath. We left at 8.40 in the morning. First we went to Newgrange, we got there at 11.00. It was a long journey to Newgrange but it was worth it.When we got there we went to the visitor centre and we saw an audio video about Newgrange. We then went and looked at models of things that were used to build Newgrange. After a while we went over the River Boyne to the bus stop where we got a lift to Newgrange. On our way we saw lots of other Passasge Graves but they were alot smaller than Newgrange. When we got to Newgrange, our tour guide Ruari talked to us for a while about it. We were split into two groups because the passage was very small. First 4th class went in, they thought it was very good. then 5th and 6th class went in. The passage was very narrow and when we got into the chamber Ruari showed us what it would be like on the Winter Solstice. It was very cool.Then we went back to the visitor centre and we met Fr.Meade.

After we met Fr.Meade we went back onto our bus and we went to Trim Castle. It took us about an hour to get there but none of us minded. When we got there, our tour guide P.J told us some facts about Trim Castle. Before we went inside our guide showed us some things outside. The castle is made of stone and it is in the shape of a cruciform. The outside of the castle is not in perfect shape but it is still standing well. After P.J brought us around the outside of the castle we went inside. It was quite exciting to see everything in the castle and very interesting to see that everything was still in good shape. First P.J told us what would have went on on the first floor and who would have been allowed to go down there and then we went on to the 2nd floor. The 2nd floor was very important because of the Great Hall and the banquets were held on that floor. On the 3rd floor were the bedrooms.