Killurney National School is a small rural school in South Tipperary. Many of it’s 30 students have a deep connection to farming and agricultural traditions. Each week they are involved in various farming activities. Meet some of the students who have integrated agriculture into their classroom.
Frankie Burke (6th class).
“My name is Frankie Burke and I have just finished fifth-class. I live on a beef farm close to the school; and during the winter, we keep a herd of 11 cattle on our land. We have sheds to house the cattle and I love helping my dad feed and bed them to make sure they are warm and dry, away from the harsh cold and rain. In the summertime, we let the cattle out into the fields. This is a happy day for all farmers, and the cattle love to roam in the fields, eat the grass and clean their coats.”
John-Joe Morrissey, (5th class) with his heard of sheep.
“My name is John-Joe and I have just finished fifth class here in Killurney. I live on mixed farm with dairy, beef and sheep. I’m passionate about sheep farming as I enjoy bringing my favourite sheep to shows, such as the Clonmel Show each July.
My favourite type of sheep is the Zwartble because they are friendly and large in size. On my farm, we feed our sheep silage, ration and hay and they are dosed.”
Harry Stokes (Middle) (3rd class).
“My name is Harry Stokes and I will be starting fourth class in September. My family have a tillage and beef farm located just behind the school. We grow oil seed rape (OSR) on our farm.
To prepare for the OSR, the land was ploughed and tilled after harvesting winter barley last year. The OSR was then planted in September and grew over the winter and spring. It grows bright yellow flowers and it will be harvested around six weeks after flowering ends (usually in mid-summer). Oil is then extracted from the seeds in a big factory. One fact I learnt in class is OSR is part of the Brassica family which includes cabbage and Brussels sprouts.”
The students at Killurney
The students at Killurney enjoy working with local people in the area and in January decided to do a tractor run to raise funds for the school and community.
Miss Hogan, who teaches fourth, fifth and sixth class says,“It was a cold, foggy morning but everyone was so excited to be able to show off their tractors, and drive along the route which went from our school to Cloneen. As it was a little bit icy, the tractors went along the main road. All of the students in Killurney follow their motto – ‘Small school, big agenda.’”
Read more
Encouraging women to become leaders in their communities
IFJ Junior: Tasty family fun in your kitchen with Donal Skeehan
Killurney National School is a small rural school in South Tipperary. Many of it’s 30 students have a deep connection to farming and agricultural traditions. Each week they are involved in various farming activities. Meet some of the students who have integrated agriculture into their classroom.
Frankie Burke (6th class).
“My name is Frankie Burke and I have just finished fifth-class. I live on a beef farm close to the school; and during the winter, we keep a herd of 11 cattle on our land. We have sheds to house the cattle and I love helping my dad feed and bed them to make sure they are warm and dry, away from the harsh cold and rain. In the summertime, we let the cattle out into the fields. This is a happy day for all farmers, and the cattle love to roam in the fields, eat the grass and clean their coats.”
John-Joe Morrissey, (5th class) with his heard of sheep.
“My name is John-Joe and I have just finished fifth class here in Killurney. I live on mixed farm with dairy, beef and sheep. I’m passionate about sheep farming as I enjoy bringing my favourite sheep to shows, such as the Clonmel Show each July.
My favourite type of sheep is the Zwartble because they are friendly and large in size. On my farm, we feed our sheep silage, ration and hay and they are dosed.”
Harry Stokes (Middle) (3rd class).
“My name is Harry Stokes and I will be starting fourth class in September. My family have a tillage and beef farm located just behind the school. We grow oil seed rape (OSR) on our farm.
To prepare for the OSR, the land was ploughed and tilled after harvesting winter barley last year. The OSR was then planted in September and grew over the winter and spring. It grows bright yellow flowers and it will be harvested around six weeks after flowering ends (usually in mid-summer). Oil is then extracted from the seeds in a big factory. One fact I learnt in class is OSR is part of the Brassica family which includes cabbage and Brussels sprouts.”
The students at Killurney
The students at Killurney enjoy working with local people in the area and in January decided to do a tractor run to raise funds for the school and community.
Miss Hogan, who teaches fourth, fifth and sixth class says,“It was a cold, foggy morning but everyone was so excited to be able to show off their tractors, and drive along the route which went from our school to Cloneen. As it was a little bit icy, the tractors went along the main road. All of the students in Killurney follow their motto – ‘Small school, big agenda.’”
Read more
Encouraging women to become leaders in their communities
IFJ Junior: Tasty family fun in your kitchen with Donal Skeehan
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: