Mairéad McGuinness’ Visit to our School
By Aoibhín, Michaela and Ruth
On Thursday 28th February 2019, Mairéad McGuinness visited our school, Presentation College Headford.
We spent the morning preparing for her arrival as it was a great honour to have the Vice- President of the European Parliament visit our school. The music and dancing students practiced as the others rolled out the red carpet and took their places at the entrance of the school.
At 9:30, Mairéad McGuinness arrived at our school. She was greeted by one of our students Adam McPadden and the TY Programmes Co-ordinator Ms. Collette Flanagan.
Ms. Flanagan introduced each student involved in the E-PAS programme to Mairéad. Before entering the school, Mairéad was welcomed by Ashling Small playing a traditional Irish tune on her accordion while Jack Gibbons danced a traditional set.
As a group, we led Mairéád down the red carpet into our school. As she entered the main doors Hannah Connolly played a beautiful piece on the clarinet. Mairéad was then led to the school library, where Aoibhín Ní Bhroin played a lively traditional Irish tune on the harp. She spoke to us about her journey into the world of politics.
Over the next hour, Mairéád answered our groups pressing questions on topics such such as Brexit and climate change. One thing we were particularly keen to hear her opinion on was the plan to make Geography and History optional subjects on the junior cycle in Irish secondary schools.
After all the questions, photographs were taken of the students and teachers with Mairéad McGuinness. Photographs were taken by the local newspaper, The Tuam Herald. Mairéad was then brought to the staff room for tea and homemade scones. She was also interviewed by Galway Bay FM, the primary radio station in County Galway.
We were delighted with Mairéad’s visit, as we were given insight into the life of a politician. We learned a lot about what’s happening in the European Parliament, and it was uplifting to see a politician so passionate about tackling issues like climate change.