Wednesday March 13th marked a very special day for the Maynooth Education Campus who were invited to have Tea with the President in a special function organised in Áras an Uachtaráin.Ms Byrnes (TY Coordinator),Mr O Domhnaill,(Deputy Principal )and six TY students ,Jack O Doherty ,Ana Puirséil,Maeve Byrnes,Ciara Smith,Kirsten Monaghan and Adam Cullen arrived at The Entrance Hall in Áras and Uachtaráin at 2.00pm.The lucky students were asked to help the staff of the Áras in preparation for the 60 special guests who were invited to have tea with the President in The State Reception Room.As the guests arrived the students were taking their coats and escorting them to the State Corridor where they stood patiently waiting to have their photographs taken with Mr Micheal D Higgins and his wife Sabina.As the guests waited the students conversed with them through the medium of Irish.The students represented their school and their families with dignity and we are very proud of them.
The students and staff then had their photographs taken with the President and his wife and they spoke as gaeilge for a few moments.Then all proceeded to the State Reception Room where a cup of tea was had with some fine delicacies to accompany them.The President then give a heart warming and inspiring speech and he particulary singled out the students for their help on the day in running this special event.The full speech can be heard on the link below.Please copy and paste the link to your browser.
https://soundcloud.com/presidentirl/oraid-an-uachtarain-ui-uiginn-ag-tae-leis-an-uachtaran?fbclid=IwAR0TqzX5ZHsi6Wpcru5x7ltPrh8KdmxYzqbFo4fntZpXlXEmCCDLJsR_agg
The afternoon came to an end with guests mingling with each other while listening to the best in Irish traditional music and sean nós singing.The President met the students as they left the house and introduced them to his two Bernese Dogs Bród agus Síoda.
This was a truly wonderful and unique experience and one I am sure the students will never forget.