Desmond College Transition Year student’s spent an unforgettable couple of days at Coláiste Acla on Achill Island last week. In addition to improving their Irish, students completed an array of daily activities including surfing, cliff jumping and bog snorkelling.
Twenty eight students boarded the bus at 7.30am for the long journey to the West of Ireland accompanied by their teachers Ms Collins and Ms Broderick. Coláiste Acla is renowned for its excellent waters ports trí Gaeilge and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Once off the bus, students were greeted by The Príomhoide in Acla who undoubtly tries to instil a grá don teanga in all the students. A hearty lunch of soup and sandwiches were served on arrival and then the activities commenced. As the sun shone brightly and the waves were optimal, students took to their surf boards on Keel beach to break those crashing waves! (Or fall off their boards in many cases!!!). Next on the list of exciting water based activities was cliff-jumping. Just as the name suggests, it involves students jumping from an idyllic cove straight into the water. (Wearing life-jackets!!!!) Audible gasps of excitement could be heard as students took the leap of fate to the many cheers from their friends. The students then returned to their Bean an Tí’s where a hearty dinner was served up to all. It certainly went down a treat! Twenty eight tired and contented daltaí made their way to bed after a fun-filled day.
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But the most fun was had on Thursday morning with a two hour session of “craic sa phortach” which translates as fun in the bog. This bog snorkelling activity was certainly one of the highlights of the trip to the island. Students certainly spent the best part of the morning “mucking around” before a hot shower and a bite of food was the order of the day. Students arrived back in Newcastlewest shortly after 5pm tired but sásta!
This trip to the West will certainly be considered as one of the highlights of Desmond College’s Transition year class of 2014/2015!