News, Recollections & Reflections

From Learners in the

Adult Education Centre Roscommon

Stories

Reflections

&

Recollections

This is our first compilation from within the Adult Basic Education Centre in Roscommon and I take great pleasure in being involved in putting it together. We have had a very busy year in the Centre with various groups being catered for. A number of our learners have completed a two-year programme. These learners, along with others who joined them more recently have worked towards national FETAC accreditation at levels 2 & 3 and one learner submitted a portfolio for an award at level 4. These achievements are significant as the programmes are part-time. This year also, many learners successfully undertook an on-line learning programme, again at levels 2 & 3 and in addition, a number of students successfully achieved First/Aid CPR certificates. We engaged in many different activities throughout the programme and learners showcased their many talents in the various areas. We staged a ‘mock wedding’, did a sponsored walk, staged song, music, mime & karaoke. The highlight of our year was undoubtedly our trip to Krakow. This would not have been possible without the commitment and interest of the learners who got involved in fund-raising and saved on a weekly basis for the trip. Two learners collected the money, recorded the amounts and lodged it in the Credit Union every week and very quickly the dream became a reality. Neither would it have been possible without the encouragement of our ALO, Briege, the Acting CEO, Elma Nerney and the dedicated tutors who always encourage and facilitate all learners. Our year has come to a close and with that comes change. We bid a fond farewell to our learners who are moving on to pastures new. On my own behalf, and on behalf of all the staff, I wish to congratulate each and every learner and I wish you all continued success on whatever path you choose. Geraldine

Is féidir libh!

Ploughing Submitted by Seamus

Spring is the best time for ploughing but it can also be done in Autumn. The National Ploughing Championship is held in Autumn. It is a big occasion. Farmers come from all over to see the ploughing. You can see horses ploughing as well as old and new tractors. The horses are the old means of ploughing. It is a three-day annual event for farming families.

Betania from Brazil My name is Betania. I am from Brazil. I came to live in Roscommon two years ago. I like Roscommon very much. Sometimes, I swim in the local pool and I enjoy that. I also like to spend some time walking in Mote Pak and around the castle. In Brazil, we would usually at chicken, fish, potatoes, beef, rice and vegetables but the recipes and ways of cooking are different. I attend English class every week and I enjoy that very much as I have a very good teacher, Elizabeth.

In 2011 we had frost we had snow we had Biffo and bailouts

and selections for elections

we had banks and IMF we had NAMA and Obama

we had grieving and thieving emigration and stagnation and a mighty credit crunch.

‘Agus a cháirde’ from the Queen Can I wake up now – is this just a dream?

If I was Taoiseach submitted by a learner in Castle View

If I was Taoiseach, I would have only 26 TDs in the Dáil, one for each county. I would make them work very hard and would not allow any shouting in the chamber. I would have no state cars. I would get people back to work and cut all pay in half. I would cut out all expenses for meals. I would look after the famers and keep them happy. I would scrap the government jet. Try the Word Search

The Dáil

T T C F D G I C E S H X K I E

T N A H X J U P U R Q J D T Y

G T E O A N F O S O J X A S P

W Z C M I M B W F T G T H G B

T Y W W N S B L K A S U G X B

T U B C F R E E N N E F Y Z N

Z S C U P A E A R E J A Q O S

V M K L R G F V C S V M I E N

B E A Y Z X V W O H P T S O C

P A Y H E U G G S G C N I O S

M I N I S T E R A E E T U E E

V F L A H W W Q L P C N A E O

A O Y L O V B E X E T N P W D

X A T Z U F S E L Y A N K X A

B B F E H W D E Y D T T W Q B

CHAMBER HALF ELECTION

MINISTER TAOISEACH VOTE

PAY SELECTION COUNTY

SENATORS SEANAD EXPENSES

STATE GOVERNMENT CUT

Childhood Memories I remember playing Hide & Seek and Cowboys & Indians around the garden and in the pig sty. We also played skipping, handstands and football using an old tin can – who said that recycling was a new idea? I remember making a swing from an old rope and a piece of wood and if we were really lucky we found an old tyre, this being a lot more comfortable than the wood. We regularly climbed trees. It strikes me as strange now that we had an old bath for water for the cattle to drink from while we only had a basin to wash ourselves from. We practised our diving skills in this bath and I’m sure we nearly drowned. I remember laying in the long meadow and seeing faces in the clouds but the best thing to see in the clouds was a castle. I felt I could happily jump into it and live there forever. I remember the Chilly Willy ice-lolly, my reverie suddenly broken by a shrill “Get the hell out of here”. And then there was the black & white TV. I lived for Saturday mornings and the ‘Lone Ranger’ with his white horse and his famous line Hi! Ho! Silver! Throughout the week we watched Bosco, Lassie, the Muppet Show, Wanderly Wagon, Little House on the Prairie, McGyver as well as Scarecrow and Ms. King, Kojak, and the Waltons. I remember sneaking downstairs to watch the rudest of all – Benny Hill. I’m sure the children of today would find these very boring indeed. We also had a bicycle which had a bar which was bad enough but when you were also likely to slip off the saddle you were destined to be injured! I tried in vain to make a motorbike by putting sticks between the spokes. Sometimes, on Sunday mornings after Mass, we would go to the village shop and see shelves of large jars of sweets. My, what a rainbow of colours! I could only ever buy a ¼ and I usually went for the ‘bulls eyes’ as they lasted longer than any of the rest. You had about as much chance of finding sweets in our house at any other time as you had of finding a well in a desert. I clearly remember when what is 20c now was a decent amount to have in the shop and I also remember reaching into a drain to retrieve a dirty coin and hiding in my wellie in case my siblings found it. And can you remember the Marietta biscuits sandwiched together? Yum! This I considered a feast but famine was too common in our house.

At school, being sent to the ‘Master’s Office’ was nothing compared to the fate that met you at home had you misbehaved. Now, I think I was afraid most of my young life, not of muggings, drugs or gangs but parents and indeed some grandparents proved to be a bigger threat to me as a child. If you were caught in school with a ‘weapon’ it was a biro barrel a ball of paper or a catapult made from an elastic band. Older siblings were the worst tormenters but also the fiercest protectors. Walking to school no matter what the weather, running ‘til you were out of breath, laughing so much that your tummy hurt are memories I carry to this day. I recall the jumping on the beds, hearing the rusty creaking of the old springs, the pillow-fights, the spinning around until we were dizzy, eventually falling down in giggles. I can remember being tired from playing – imagine that!

My Name is Jolante My name is Jolante. I came to Roscommon four years ago. I like Roscommon. I like to go roller-blading every evening. I am from Gdansk in Poland. This is a city near the sea. Summers in Poland are very warm and sunny. In Poland we like to eat potatoes, fish, chicken, vegetables and fruit. I go to English class in the Adult Education Centre. I find the people are very nice and I have a very good teacher, Elizabeth

Fishing in Athleague My name is Jan. I came to live in Roscommon two years ago. I like living in Roscommon, especially the park and also around the castle. I enjoy fishing in Athleague. The river Suck runs through Athleague. I lived in Gdansk in Poland. Gdansk is near the sea and I used to go fishing there also. I am learning English in the Adult Education Centre.

Chinese proverb

"Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are."

Henry Ford: “If there is any great secret of success in life, it lies in the ability to put yourself in the other person's place and to see things from his point of view - as well as your own”.

What’s Under The Table? by Kieran McGlynn

Woke up this morning feeling not too well... Although it was still early, I thought I was as well to get up. Seconds later, I met my four-year-old and in that split second I realised that God had put me here for a reason. What a smile she’s got, her hair tousled as if she had been through a bush, sleep still in her eyes and wearing the cutest PJs. She gave me a big hug – the type of hug that makes everything ok and if I am lucky a kiss too, giving me a surge of hope. Of course, her brother is still in his bed, banging his little head off his favourite pillow. He reminds me of someone at an AC/DC concert, his hair all over the place, with a “not yet, Daddy” to be heard. And so another day begins – dress for school; brush teeth; wash hands and face, breakfast: one Rice Krispies - one Readybrek – one with milk, one without; one for tea and the other just can’t make her mind up. Off we go to school, happy and content. I silently thank God that they both love school. Twenty five-year-olds running as if they were possessed, slippers, shoes, schoolbags being flung in mid-air. It’s as if they fell from the sky, screaming, laughing, and full of overwhelming excitement and an odd swear word can be heard in the distance. As I walk away, I look back, pick out my two and when I see how happy they are I feel like crying. Back at the house, nothing but the sound of quiet. I smile to myself and think where would I be without my two best friends? Then I face the chaos of the kitchen – teabags on the worktop; crumbs scattered and the knife stuck in the Dairygold tub. Under the table I can see where the snap crackle and pop has landed. So much to do; so little time. The hoover spins at the speed of something made in NASA, vibrating and groaning as it swallows the cereal then grounds to a halt as I realise that it’s time I was on the road again. YIPEE! It’s Friday – two whole days without shoes to be polished or shirts to be clean. Tomorrow – no rules ok! My own father tells me I mustn’t raise my voice or my hand to them and follow the example he set – is he suffering from Alzheimer’s I wonder?

Impressions of Poland.

Interview with students from Roscommon V.E.C. Adult Learner Group on their

excursion in May 2011 to Krakow. Eamon Nolan and Cathy Hannon

interviewed by Geraldine Corr.

First of all, have you had a good time?

It was great. Amazing. The flights were good. We’ve come back tired we did

so much. There was a lot of walking and catching buses but we have crammed

so much into a short time it was worth it.

How did Poland compare to Ireland?

The weather was cooler than here and we only had the one day of rain, though

it did not stop us going places.

What about the countryside?

We didn’t see too much because we were in the city, but there seemed to be

more forests.

What did you think of the architecture?

It was beautiful, wonderful churches, with tall spires and arches; St Mary’s

church was exceptional. There were posters everywhere of the late Pope John

Paul. The Polish people are still very proud of him, there were posters even

outside the towns and cities, just like over here at election time. I saw a castle

high up on a hill but we did not visit.

How did you get along with the Polish people did you cope with the language

barrier?

Now it wasn’t too easy in some places but in the hotel the staff were used to

western visitors and we had no problems at all and they were very nice. They

smiled a lot at our efforts to communicate in Polish. It was all very good

natured. We met other visitors too, a young Mexican woman who was on

holiday in the same hotel. We also met a couple from England from Newcastle

upon Tyne we talked for a while and it was nice to hear a familiar language.

We met a man from Cork too; it seems no matter where you go you will bump

into an Irish man.

What were the shops like?

They were very much like over here there were department stores but the

Poles are not in the Euro zone so we were spending Zlotys. I bought some

jeans and some shoes. We saw a MacDonald’s but we didn’t go in.

How did you enjoy the food did you find it very different?

The food was good quality some of it was presented differently to what we are

used to for example the breakfast buffet table had all kinds of foods to choose

from including salad which was a surprise. We were out every night trying the

food and drink and having the craic, we went to a Jewish restaurant it was

lovely though there were two dogs in the bar and we found that unusual.

Before we went out each evening, we spent some time reflecting on the day

and made notes in our journals.

So you had a bit of homework to do whilst you were away?

Oh Yes. It is important to record because it is surprising how quickly places and

events begin to slip from memory. At some time in the future it will be nice to

look back at our photos and diaries and remember the good times we had.

Did you experience much of the local history and culture?

Yes we were entertained by musicians and dancers, a trio played piano, guitar

and violin. We were told the story of two brothers who tried to outdo each

other by building the tallest spire, jealousy took over; they fought, and then

ended up killing each other. We were taken to a Jewish cemetery where male

visitors had to cover their heads in the Jewish tradition.

Did you visit any of the World War 11 camps?

We did, we went to Austwich.

And how did that make you feel?

It was very shocking. The place was so big. The camp must have been huge.

The history there was very bad. It is very hard to find words to describe the

feelings.

Tell me, what is your outstanding memory of your visit to Poland?

We both thought that the excursion to the salt mine was amazing. We

descended 130 meters into the mine. Deep below the ground people had

carved a church out of the rock salt it was lovely. There was the most beautiful

carved chandelier this lit up and dimmed there was piped music and flowing

water it was all very magical and hard to believe that we were underground.

So the trip was a resounding success?

Oh yes. We would do it again next year, but maybe go somewhere a little

warmer, with sun, so we can lay out in it.

Like Bali or Tahiti?

We can dream.

Music is Food for the Soul

by Kieran McGlynn.

Life can be terribly cruel and unfair sometimes and there are times we must be strong and have acceptance in all areas of our lives. Let me remind you that this is sometimes daunting, mind-blowing and sometimes heart-breaking. I struggle with acceptance every day of my life. ‘Acceptance’ is not a very big word; in fact it has only ten letters but what a strong meaning it can have. Acceptance is about adjustment, admitting to one’s situation. Put simply, it can be about another small word, ‘change’. Change is something I find difficult but I am learning that one cannot go forward without change. I find that music takes me to places I know I will never see; I can only imagine; from this I can paint a picture in my mind. Is this crazy? I think not. Many people just simply listen to music, but for me, I get emotionally wrapped up in it. So many genre; bands, groups, talent out there, male and female; young and old. Music can give such immense pleasure whether from classical or heavy metal; dance to Irish; pop or rock. Personally, I find that each has an extraordinary effect on me, on my mood and behaviour. The song ‘Running to Stand Still’ recorded by U2, while it takes me to a sad place, there are moments of joy and peace for me. The line which states: ‘I see seven towers but I only see one way out’ is a powerful statement as whoever Bono is singing about is probably feeling trapped, lonely, afraid, maybe even suicidal. Music is known as ‘food for the soul’ and for good reason. When I hear the song, ‘Brown Sugar’, by the Rolling Stones, I tap my feet, nod my head and play my air guitar.

The Haunted House.

By Eamon Nolan.

The old house had been there since before I was born. It was now a ruin.

When we were children we would dare each other to spend time there, but no

one ever did. As an adult I was anxious to discover the truth about the

supernatural and I was determined to spend a night in the haunted house, but

not without my friend.

We entered the house through creaking doors. Inside the house, broken

windows were banging and rattling in the gale. I could see nothing - it was

pitch black.

We stumbled over bits of broken furniture strewn around on the floor.

Outside, owls were screeching and something flew past my companion’s head.

Cathy let out a scream. “It must be bats.” I said.

Suddenly we both jumped, we heard a noise from upstairs, was it footsteps or

was it branches scraping against the windows, was it rain and sleet on the

roof?

We made our way towards the sound of the noise. “We should have brought a

torch with us.” I said. We were both too scared to scream when we saw the

figure before us, but both laughed nervously with relief when we realised it

was our own reflection in a broken old mirror. But that did not explain the

noise we heard.

From one of the rooms came a scratching sound, I hoped it was only rats.

“Only!” Cathy squeaked in alarm. Then suddenly she stumbled, she put out

her hand to save herself and touched something slimy, now she screamed.

Something moved in the room disturbed by the sound. Something with bright

red eyes scurried across the floor then Cathy yelled “Something wet and furry

rubbed against my legs.” She continued to wail. I saw the green eyes of a cat

before it disappeared into the blackness after the rats.

After that we had both had enough and decided to leave. I don’t think the

house was haunted at all but Cathy isn’t convinced.

Cast of ‘The Quiet Man Hotel’, Dec 2010

John Mulligan, Tommy Fitzgerald, Colette Ryan, Cathy Hannon, Mary Kelly,

Francis Fetherston and Kieran McGlynn

My first car

My best friend and I used to have so many laughs and so much fun in my first car. It was small, cheap to run and easy to park. It was so small I always had to make sure the baby was asleep at home before I could go shopping. Shushh!!!!!!! It was my pride and joy. I thought it was the cat’s pyjamas at the time. It could go from zero to one hundred in five seconds and didn’t I know how to do it. When my grown children talk about their memories of this car, they tell me that Meatloaf was the only tape I’d have on, and we’d be head banging the whole time, so now they ask me,” is it any wonder none of us are right?”. Maybe I should have had Barney on instead but then they’d only say I’d made Dinosaurs out of them all. When I used to pick up my eldest son from the bus stop, he’d get off the bus smiling and tell me all his friends though I was a wicked driver. My Lord! What a compliment from my fifteen year old son. When I changed it for a bigger car, my old one was sent to the farm and the children would drive it around a field. That was their driving lessons sorted. It was all about driving and watching the road, and I couldn’t allow myself to think about the sticker under the bonnet which stated it was made in China or was it Japan? It was not like today where I’m constantly watching the white pin for speed. God be with the day when I could tear along the dotted line. It’s now parked up beside the farm and is used to store feed stuff for the animals.

WHAT A CAR MY LITTLE RED MICRA WAS.

Descriptive Writing created from Pictorial Triggers

by Cathy Hannon One day, I went scuba diving off the barrier reef. The water was very calm and warm. As I went under the water, I saw lots of coloured fish; pink star fish, silver blue sardines and a vicious stingray. I took out my harpoon gun in case I needed it. I heard the sound of dolphins clicking. There was a submarine down there also and I could see the reflecting lights. It was very dangerous. Hot, white lava was coming from the sea bed, a basking

shark swam by me. I stumbled upon a ruin of an old ship. It was covered over

in sea-weed and encrusted shells. There were lots of King Crabs living there.

The ship was rusting. I wondered how it got there - was it a storm or did it hit

a mine during a war or perhaps it torpedoed or it might have been bombed

from the air? A trail of amphora, ancient stone jars from an older wreck

littered the sea-bed.

Orca, the killer whale, sprung out of nowhere. It was time for me to go. I surfaced, climbed aboard my yacht and set sail for the shore.

It Started with a Fig

Submitted by C.R.

Katie didn’t believe in love any more which was sad as she had only turned 40. But after Mike it was hardly surprising. “He never”! “He did” “ Blimey, no wonder she doesn’t want to talk about it”. “How did you find out”? “Mary from Accounts”! “Ah,” Kathy nodded wisely because if anyone knew the full story, Mary would. She was like the office search engine from once one plied her with tea and biscuits, the information came flooding out of her. The difference between Mary and the internet was that Mary was never wrong! “She’s taking it very well considering…”. “Well, it was nearly six months ago you know”. “You’re kidding”? “I’m not. Don’t you remember the last Christmas ball”? “Oh yeah, I’d forgotten that”. Katie hadn’t. It was the first time she had been alone at Christmas since she was 18 and she hated it. She was sure everyone was staring at her. Mind you, it didn’t help when she fell up the stairs on her way in. “Had a few already Katie?” She blushed and ducked John’s comment. As she stood at the bar fumbling with her purse, she prayed that someone would join her. She nearly hadn’t gone at all but an old lady had once told her that when she had troubles in her life that was the time to be seen with a big smile on her face. Oh, did she need to smile tonight! John came up beside her and asked if he could buy her a drink. When she said she was ok for a drink, he then made a beeline for Marion, a leggy blonde instead. Marion had the bravado to head straight for the dance floor and didn’t care a hoot if anyone joined her or not. Naturally, they would. It was easy to be confident with legs like that. The tone for the night had been set and Katie found herself at the edge of conversations from then on as she flitted from group to group. Although she was always met with polite smiles, she knew that the moment she drifted away, the chatter would start. “You’ve heard about her and Mike?” “Yeah, seventeen years wasn’t it”? “Nearer to twenty years, I thought…poor woman and just before Christmas as well, terrible, awful. Still could have been worse”. “How is that”? “Could have been me” and the laughter would start up all over again. Katie never felt like joining in. The thing that surprised her was the fact that everyone had got it wrong. It wasn’t the first couple of months that were the hardest at all. She hadn’t realized she had so many friends. Someone had

always been around or calling around near enough every night of the week. After a while though, Katie had found herself being quietly abandoned. At first she had been grateful that she had ended up with the house but these days she rattled around in it like an old penny in a large tin and the goldfish were never that chatty! She could barely turn around without reminders of having been everywhere. If she turned on the T.V. there was someone or other falling in love. The radio wasn’t much better. Even her book betrayed her. It was as if love was all people ever wrote about. There was no turning back. It was over. That was it. She would never love again. Katie had worked out exactly how she was going to get through the next 20 or 30 years. It was all working rather well until she discovered the fig roll on her desk and a cup of coffee by her keyboard. That was unusual as Katie had never been one for going to the drinks machine. But the fig roll raised the matter to an entirely different level. She glanced around quickly. No luck. Everyone had their eyes lowered at their computer screens but it was no good. Her heart started pounding that little bit faster every time she left her desk in anticipation of what she might see on her return. Hang on a minute girl, gosh get a grip. It was only a fig roll. It wasn’t as if it was a Galaxy or a Cadbury caramel. But every evening she would just wonder what did he look like? Was he cute? What do I care if he is nice? It’s probably just that pig John winding me up. Then it happened again on Monday – another fig roll. On Tuesday, there was a Kit Kat, a Club Milk on Wednesday, a Twix on Thursday and on Friday, a Flake. Katie had to turn away from her computer as she ate the chocolate for fear of going redder than she already was. Leggy Marion was peering at her over her computer screen. The email came at 5 to 5. It was from Mark Simms. Who on earth was Mark Simms? Katie scanned her phone list. She mustn’t know him because he wasn’t on it. She clicked the message open. Hi, it read. How was she supposed to reply to that? She was pondering her response when a second email came through. I was just wondering if ..if.. What? Katie’s heart was in her mouth when the phone rang. She picked it up and a voice with a Galway accent said “If you fancy a quick drink after work”.. Katie’s mind raced, “I don’t know you” she said. “I don’t know you either but I’d like to”. “Why”? She hadn’t meant to say that. Too late now! “because…. sorry”, he said, sounding a bit embarrassed – “because you look lovely”. “No I don’t”. “I think so”. “I haven’t ever even seen you”. “Well, if you look over by the coffee machine that’s me there”

Katie looked up and sure enough, there was a man she hadn’t seen before. He was someone that she would like and maybe a little older. He didn’t look like an axe murderer not that Katie had any experience of psycho killers! “I’m not…” “ Not what”? “An axe murderer! Just one drink, one drink?” Drinks were followed by dinner which was followed by another drink and then a walk home the long way round the park. They got on so well that Mark felt daft enough to skip up the steps and serenade Katie and he, not having a note in his head as he sang a rendition of ‘it could only be you’. He then dropped on his knees and presented a red tulip which he had kept in his inside pocket, carefully wrapped in tissue paper. “Sorry, I couldn’t see any roses”. Katie whispered “thanks”. She was glad it was dark because it hid her blushes. As they walked along, Katie hoped for the night not to end. But she couldn’t invite him in, not on a first date. Her heart beat faster as he escorted her up the path. She stood on her doorstep, turned to speak but he beat her to it. “I’d better be off”. “Sure”. “I’d love to meet up again”. OK.” “What are you doing tomorrow night”? Katie tried to force her smile down. It didn’t work. “See you at seven o’clock”? “Sounds perfect”. Mark hesitated, “night, night”. They both paused. Katie bit her lip. Oh, what the heck! Mark leant forward a little awkwardly but kissed nevertheless so by the time Mark walked off down the road the world of love had opened up to Katie once more.

*************************** Aoife’s Reflection As I finish my course in the VEC, I have more confidence in reading, writing and computers. I have also gained confidence in travelling with other people. I am now confident in speaking in front of other people. I enjoyed being involved in the fundraising. I got involved in drama, a mock wedding, Christmas concerts, fashion shows and singing. I will miss the group very much and I hope to continue with my education.

by Assumpta Healy

Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004. Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg with his college roommates and fellow students. It now has more than 700 million active users. Users may create a personal file with photos, list of personal interests, contact details and other information and may add other users as friends. They can exchange messages privately or publicly. To allay fears about privacy, Facebook enables users to choose their own privacy settings and decide who can see specific information and how much of their profile. The service is free and generates revenue from advertising. This type of advertising is proving to be popular and cost effective. Facebook has a number of features with which users may interact. They include: The Wall: This is a space on every user’s profile page that allows friends to post messages for you and others to see. Poke: This feature allows users to send a virtual ‘poke’ to each other and then relays a message to the recipient that tells them they have been ‘poked’. Photos: Exchange of photos. A newsfeed is on every user’s homepage and keeps the user informed of profile changes, upcoming events such as birthdays. Facebook is the most popular social networking site in several English-speaking countries including Canada, the UK and USA. Facebook has met with controversy and has been blocked intermittently in several countries including Vietnam, Iran and Pakistan. It has been banned in many workplaces also. The safety and security of user accounts has been compromised many times. Socially, it has affected the activity of users in many ways. It has been used to re-unite family members and friends. One high-profile reunion was between John Watson and his daughter who he had searched for over a twenty year period. It is an excellent means of communicating with family abroad. Facebook is now available as an app on your mobile phone. It is engaging, enjoyable and quite frankly, addictive.

Mary Kelly tells us about working on the Module ‘Video Expression’.

We worked in teams and we had to decide who was going to film first. You

need a good team to work with as everyone has to agree what the topic is going

to be. Making the video was easy but I was nervous at first using the video

camera. Seeing the finished project made it all worthwhile.

For my part, I learned all about Lady Betty and Roscommon Jail. Lady Betty

came from Kerry. Her husband and children died, except for one son. She was

very poor and was evicted from her home. She walked and walked and

eventually settled in Roscommon. Her son grew up and went away to work.

Several years later, one dark, stormy night, a tall, well-dresse0d stranger arrived

to Betty's door asking for food and shelter. She took him in, but while he slept

she decided to kill him and take his money.

Her dreadful deed done, she sifted through his papers and discovered, to her

horror, that she had murdered her own son. She was arrested, tried and

condemned to death. Betty asked the judge could she be spared if she became

the ‘hangwoman’. The sheriff agreed. Lady Betty, as she became known, had a

fearsome reputation. She died in 1807.

My Experience by Kate I have completed my two years course at the VEC in Roscommon. It was a great experience. I got to learn how to use computers and got the chance of doing Maths and English and brushing up on spellings and reading. I also got the chance of going to Krakow in Poland which was a great experience and very enjoyable. I have gained so much confidence since starting the course. I have learned and done so much! I hope to move on to something else and I just wish to thank Geraldine, Elizabeth and John for their hard work over the two years.

Submitted by Anne Shaughnessy I would like to share with you a poem which means a lot to me on many levels. It is entitled “The Pillar of the Cloud” or as it is better known “Lead, Kindly Light”, written by John Henry Cardinal Newman, who was beatified by Pope Benedict on his recent UK visit.

Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home Lead Thou me on!

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene, one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that Thou

Should’st lead me on. I loved to choose and see my path; but now

Lead Thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,

Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still Will lead me on,

O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till The night is gone;

And with the morn those angel faces smile Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

Newman had been touring the Mediterranean countries for 8 months, had battled illness and was also grieving the loss of his sister. He wrote this poem on board ship returning to England in 1833 as he recovered and was ready to undertake projects he had avoided only months before.

Why did I choose this poem? Well it was written by a man at sea. I too have been at sea recently – a stormy sea with huge waves threatening to engulf me. I am speaking not of the salty brine but of black waves of depression which swept over my life in recent times. This poem which is also a hymn was played on the RMS Titanic before it hit the iceberg and sadly we know how that sad story ended. My little boat was badly shaken but several factors helped alter my course towards calmer waters including the light of faith as outlined in that poem, friends and healthcare professionals and the unexpected opportunity to do a Computer course in the VEC Adult Learning Centre in Roscommon. As an ‘old girl’ of the VEC in Lanesboro St. many years ago it was great to have another go! Within the first hour in Geraldine Raftery’s class I knew this was going to be a new experience of learning, laughter, showing my lack of skill in the IT world and finding solutions under Geraldine’s patient and encouraging tutorials. The poem and the class are like a gentle breeze that is taking me across the waters to a shady cove called H O P E.

A Dedication to the Learners

From maths projects to drama From working out the camera

The learning never ending Emails forever sending.

Reading, writing, listening, speaking Don’t forget the good time keeping

Communications class next door WriteOn yes, we’d like some more!

Fundraising events gave us all the chance to broaden our skills, our talents enhance

From singing to drama, presentations and more Catwalks, mock weddings and laughter galore.

We travelled to Poland and saw many sights

Jewish quarters, cathedrals and the castle delights Schindler’s factory, the ghettos we will never forget

River Vistula, St. Mary’s and the people we met!

By Elizabeth