Over the past few weeks Fifth Class pupils and some Sixth Class pupils with a special interest in history, have been learning about World War 1 and, in particular, the connections between some of their ancestors and World War 1. They have also researched about people from the Lower Harbour area, around Shanbally and Ringaskiddy, who were involved in the Great War and they also learned about some of the activities that took place in the lower harbour, around Haulbowline, and off the coast of Cobh and Ringaskiddy between 1914-1918. The topic was chosen because this is the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of WW1 and the fact that there is a wealth of information available about the Shanbally/ Ringaskiddy/ Lower Harbour area has really helped spark a great interest among the boys and girls.
Parents and, indeed, grandparents, have been very generous with their time and expertise, whether they are busy helping to make accurate models of the trenches or being interviewed by the pupils, with regard to a variety of different family stories and connections with the war. One grandad who has passed on his great interest in history to his grandson, Dylan, recently brought in his collection of guns (de-commissioned!!) and bayonets and the Sixth Class pupils were thrilled with his interesting presentation. Sam, in Fifth Class, had a valuable medal which was presented to his granduncle, after the war. His grandmother had also helped him draw his Family Tree. Eoghan found out that his Granduncle fought with a Canadian Regiment in WW1.
One of Mr. Nolan’s favourite subjects is history. His passion for the subject was evident during the wonderful presentation he gave to the Fifth Class pupils, describing, in detail, his visit to the war sites of the Somme and some of the many military graveyards and monuments he visited during his historical visit to the areas in Northern France and Belgium, some years ago. His photo-presentation was enjoyed by all.
Ms. Tuohy first became interested in WW1 almost twenty years ago, when she and her family visited the grave of her husband’s grandfather, John Curtin, in Strand Militaire Cemetry, almost 25 km from Ypres, Belgium. She spoke of how difficult it was for her husband to find out where his grandfather was buried, in 1994, and how easy it is to find information nowadays, thanks to the internet and websites such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission http://www.cwgc.org/ Ms. Tuohy showed the pupils some of the interesting artefacts which were passed on to the present generation from those days in 1914-1918 and also her collection of photos taken in 1994 and more recently when she made a return visit with her daughter.
The highlight of the project was, no doubt, the visit of local historian, Shanbally past-pupil, grandad of James in 2nd Class and former Shamrocks GAA Chairman, Mr. Sean O Tuama. His local knowledge, together with his passion for the subject, was appreciated by all four groups who listened to his stories. The pupils learned about many local people and the impact that WW1 had on their lives. Such was his knowledge on the subject that Mr. O Tuama was able to recall stories about several of the children’s ancestors, upon hearing their family names!! The boys and girls were enthralled by his stories of former residents of the area who had been involved in the war, men such as the great oarsman, Jerh Flynn from Ringaskiddy who was a stoker on the HMS Marlsborough which was engaged in the Battle of Jutland, Percy Turner,whose descendant was a former Shanbally school caretaker, the Munster Fusillers who used to train down in the area where Pfizers of Shanbally now stands, the American Battleships which were based in Cork Harbour…..the stories flowed freely from Sean O Tuama and the children waited on his every word…….
Ms. O Mahony has decided to enter the project in the Discover Cork School’s Heritage Project. http://corkheritage.ie/ The pupils have enjoyed their history classes about WW1 and no doubt, they will continue their research as we remember all those who fought and died in World War 1 between 1914-1918.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
From Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen, written in September 1914