The Desmond Factor has become an annual event for Newcastle West over the last seven years. It is true to say that each year, the event becomes more professional due to the dedication and hard work of the teachers and the students that are involved.

This year, Desmond College decided to run the show for two nights and also hold a matinee performance for the local primary schools. At each show the audience were treated to a huge variety of performances, catering for many areas of the arts. Thursday Night, saw 30 acts perform including winners from the past. Edyta Soltys, Leanne Quilligan, Alicia Magner, Vincent Markham, Leon Bourke and Laura Fitzpatrick all graced the stage. The Desmond Factor Diaspora, combined with our current talented pupils, performed to 400 people for the Variety Show Night.

On Friday afternoon, local primary school children were treated to a sample of the acts. It was an exciting show as many little sisters and brothers grew in pride as they watched their siblings perform on stage. The children returned to their primary schools with dreams in their hearts of the day they too will take to the stage and perform at the Desmond Factor!

On Friday evening, the event came to a climax with Competition Night. In all 25 acts performed in front of a packed crowd of 530 people and 3 judges. We were delighted and honoured that Denis Allen (Writer of the famous song Limerick you’re my Lady) was able to join us as one of our judges. The other judges were well known dance co-ordinator and producer, Niamh Toomey along with Ola Goodman from Limericks School of Dance.

There were 6 categories of prizes, with a winner and runner up in each. The judges really had their work cut out for them as there were so many truly gifted performers.

The overall winner on the Desmond Factor was a wonderful and unique performance by James O’Connor on the Bodhran playing Avicci Level combined with dance music. It was a truly stunning and popular performance.

Group winners included Niamh Nolan, TY Drama (The Witches), Anastasija Kostockina (gymnastics and ballet combined), Rachel O’Mahony, Robert Toomey and The Show Goes On (Jeff Kadima, Van Mambouana and Damian Frackowiak).

Runners up in each category were Gemma Lacey, Shauna Cronin and Sarah Enright, Adrenalin dance (choreographed by Suan Murphy and 3rd year girls), Rose Magner, and the Republic of Desmond (drama sketch).

Dance Group ‘Adrenalin’ and Drama Sketch ‘Republic of Desmond’ both dedicated their win to their dear friend Darra O’Donovan who passed away in December.

Each performance would not have been out of place on any talent competition aired on any television station. It was a credit to the students, parents, teachers and the wider community, to have a production of such magnitude and a calibre of student that can perform the arts to such a wonderful level.

The show was made all the more special by the wonderful presenters on both nights. This difficult job was professionally done by the beautiful Nicola O’Brien and the charming Tom Flavin.

Special recognition must go to the gifted Daniel Cremin, for putting together the ‘X- Factor’ style introduction for each act. It was a master piece of technical ability.

We are already looking forward to our show next year!




We sincerely thank them for all their support and good wishes during the actual competition and hope to emulate this year’s achievements with their help in the future.

Our sincere thanks go to:

]]> http://www.desmondcollege.ie/2012/01/desmond-college-acknowledge-the-assistance-received-from-our-young-scientist-partner-companies/feed/ 0 http://www.desmondcollege.ie/2012/01/desmond-factor/ http://www.desmondcollege.ie/2012/01/desmond-factor/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:25:15 +0000 eileengavin http://www.desmondcollege.ie/?p=1983 Variety Show is on Thursday 26th January.

Competition on Friday 27th January.

Tickets are limited to two per student for Friday nights show, due to the huge demand.

Tickets €10 each.

The two Desmond College students also won the coveted Analog Devices Travel Award for their project entitled “INVIGIL8” at the BT Young Scientist Competition.

Sean Duffy from Knockaderry and Warren Gleeson of Newcastle West were elated to hear their names called out at a packed RDS Hall on Friday evening last. The second year boys won one of the top five prizes which included an all expense paid trip to Los Angeles and San Francisco where they will be the guests of Analog Devices at their head quarters, followed by visits to Google, Intel and Stanford University. In addition to this very sought after prize the students will receive €2500 for their school.

Their project won high praise from the judges who commented on their maturity, scientific understanding and ability to engage the judges when describing how their innovative “personal portable security device” works. The boys came up with the project following a tragedy in a hotel in Kinsale last year when there was a case of carbon monoxide poisoning.

They invented a suitcase with built in features such as CO2 detection, smoke detection, anti-theft device locator and built in night light. In addition the suitcase would charge a range of replacement batteries.

In addition, five innovative groups from Desmond College won Display Awards:

Eoghan McMahon, Micheal O’ Flynn and John Byrnes with ‘a simple device to ensure the secure closure of manure storage tanks’ Junior Technology,

Conor Barry, Martin Madden, AJ O’Connor with their ‘effective device to promote hygiene and safety when performing caesarean sections in cows’,

Rose Magner, Lisa Barrow, Laura O’ Mahony with ‘Herbo Fermelato silage effluent, turning problems in to products’,

Cieran Scanlon and Michael Upton with ‘the self sanitizing door handle device’,

Kate Brislane and Louise Copse got Highly Commended for their project ‘Soft Shell Eggs – a solution for free range growers’.




Not to be outdone and due to popular public interest, Cieran Scanlon and Michael Upton secured a coveted slot on ‘The Late Late Show’ where they demonstrated their self-sanitizing door handle hygiene device.

During the week as the RDS filled with camera crews and press photographers images of Desmond College students were beamed via news, print and on line media to a national audience. TV 3 and Two Tube featured Conor Barry, Martin Madden and AJ O Connor and their eye catching “calving jack” designed and constructed with Engineering teacher Tom Byrne, whilst News Today featured Shauna Gayer and Eileen O’ Flynn and their innovative anti-wasp candles and lip balm.

RTE’s website had an interview with “soft shell eggs – a solution” duo of Kate Brislane and Louise Copse. Tom Flavin, Chris Scannell and John Delee were interviewed on Today FM by Tom Dunne and on 2fm by Rick O Shea.




Other groups held their own in interviews James O’Connor ‘You’ve Got Mail’, Orlaith Condon and Nikita Derwin’s ‘Body Clock’, Ciaran Nolan and Mark Danagher’s ‘Chimney Turbine’, Jack Fanning and Liam Upton’s novel idea for using urine as a fertilizer kept judges and the public enamoured.

Ms. Marie Corkery, Science Teacher and Young Scientist Mentor, received an ‘Analog Devices Technology Educator of Excellence Award 2012′. This trophy recognises the commitment and encouragement that has enabled her students to participate enthusiastically and successfully in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition over the last number of years. In addition Marie won an Analog Devices trip to the United States.

Young Scientist 2012 has been yet another successful year for all Desmond College’s thirty students and thirteen projects and it could not happen without the assistance from the staff of Desmond College, Ms. Marie Corkery, Mr. Tom Byrne, Mr. Donal Enright, Ms.Orla Fahy and the Desmond College Parents Association, parents and the generous sponsorship from local businesses and industries. All students involved, have done themselves, their families and school really proud.

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Below are details of our exhibits:

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1. Social and Behavioural Sciences: Intermediate Group

Title: Let’s Call it Quits!

Overview: this project aims to investigate the most effective method to aid people who are trying to quit smoking.

Teacher: Miss Marie Corkery

Students: Lorna Browne and Sinead Nix

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2. Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences: Senior Group

Title: Herba Fermentato-silage effluent: Turning problems into products

Overview: Our project aims to make a useful product out of silage effluent. We shall attempt to distil the effluent to enhance its nutritional qualities.

Teacher: Mr Donal Enright

Students: Rose Magner, Lisa Barrow and Laura O’Mahony

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3. Technology: Junior Individual

Title: You’ve Got Mail!

Overview: An automated visual and audio wireless system to inform you of post in your letter box.

Teacher: Mr Donal Enright

Student: James O’Connor

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4. Technology: Junior Group

Title: INVIGIL8: A Personal Portable Security System

Overview: A self-charging suitcase which acts as a security device capable of detecting C02 and fire, and to double as a theft and intruder detection system.

Teacher: Mr Donal Enright

Students: Sean Duffy, Killian Enright and Warren Gleeson

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5. Technology: Junior Group

Title: A simple device to ensure the secure closure of manure storage tanks and prevent the leaking of manure to the environment.

Overview: This project investigates the possibility of creating a device that will prevent the leaking of slurry storage units on farms which affects the environment.

Teacher: Miss Marie Corkery

Students: Eoghan McMahon, Michael O’Flynn and John Brynes.

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6. Technology: Intermediate Group

Title: Chimney Turbine

Overview: We plan to make a chimney turbine that will sit into a chimney and create energy/electricity.

Teacher: Miss Marie Corkery

Students: Mark Danaher and Ciaran Nolan

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7. Technology: Intermediate Group

Title: A simple hygiene device for business and domestic use

Overview: This device to promote bio- security and hygiene between farms and other businesses and prevent the spreading of disease on the farm and at home.

Teacher: Miss Marie Corkery, Mr Tom Byrne

Students: Tom Flavin, John Delee and Chris Scannell

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8. Technology: Intermediate Group

Title: A simple device to aid caesarean sections in cows.

Overview: This project investigates the use of an attachment to a calving jack which may be used to help vets in carrying out caesarean sections

Teacher: Miss Marie Corkery, Mr. Tom Byrne

Students: Martin Madden, AJ O’Connor and Conor Barry

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9. Technology: Senior Group

Title: Self sanitizing handle

Overview: It is a sanitising door handle that cleans the handle of germs before you touch it.

Teacher: Mr Donal Enright

Students: Michael Upton and Cieran Scanlon

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10. Biological and Ecological Sciences: Junior Group

Title: A urine fertilizer

Overview: This project investigates the possibility of using urine as an alternative to commercial fertilisers in the growing of plants.

Teacher: Miss Marie Corkery

Students: Shane Lee, Liam Upton and Jack Fanning

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11. Biological and Ecological Sciences: Intermediate Group

Title: Can you tell me the time of day by your body temperature?

Overview: This project will investigate if it’s really possible to tell the time of day based on your body temperature.

Teacher: Miss Marie Corkery

Students: Orlaith Condon and Nikita Derwin

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12. Biological and Ecological Sciences: Senior Group

Title: An environmental alternative to pesticides for the control of wasps

Overview: Wasps control other species of pest insects. Rather than kill wasps we propose to use natural methods to control and NOT KILL wasps.

Teacher: Mr Donal Enright

Students: Shauna Gayer and Eileen O’Flynn

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13. Biological and Ecological Sciences: Senior Group

Title: Soft Shell eggs; a solution for free range growers

Overview: An investigation into the phenomenon of soft shell eggs in free range hens and the variables that affect its occurrence along with a solution.

Teacher: Mr Donal Enright

Students: Kate Brislane and Louise Copse




]]> http://www.desmondcollege.ie/2012/01/desmond-college-young-scientist-exhibition/feed/ 0 http://www.desmondcollege.ie/2012/01/pre-junior-cert-and-pre-leaving-cert-exams/ http://www.desmondcollege.ie/2012/01/pre-junior-cert-and-pre-leaving-cert-exams/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:09:50 +0000 eileengavin http://www.desmondcollege.ie/?p=1922 Pre Junior Cert Exams start Thursday 2nd February 2012

Pre Leaving Cert Exams start Friday 24th February 2012

James Moynihan, Chairman of County Limerick Camogie, presenting some of Desmond College’s U16 camogie team with their medals for winning the county inter-schools camogie final.

Photos include: Ms Gavin-Barry, Principal, with James Moynihan presenting the winning medals and Ms Marie Corkery, coach, with Desmond Team receiving their medals from James Moynihan and Mr. Nash

First Year Students, along with their German teacher Ms. Meadhbh Nash, organised an extremely successful Multicultural Week in Desmond College.

The week started with a presentation to the whole school, by two of the group, over the intercom system, where details of the week were outlined and the reasons why we, in Desmond College, believe it is important to celebrate the diversity of culturals who attend our school.

During the week students learned about and celebrated the different cultures, through talks and presentations, all given by the students themselves to their own peers.

The event encouraged a sharing of ideas, it helped cultural knowledge and understanding and helped to build confidence.

Students took part in Sports and Quiz events, and enjoyed a delicious food tasting afternoon- without doubt the most popular event with both staff and students! We are already looking forward to next year! Well done to all involved!

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