Thanksgiving in the United States

This month in our International News, I looked at Thanksgiving, a big holiday in the US.
Thanksgiving began in the 1600s when the Pilgrims held a feast with the Wampanoag Native Americans after their first successful harvest.

Today, families celebrate by eating turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie — and Americans eat about 46 million turkeys every year!
There is also an event called Un-Thanksgiving Day on Alcatraz Island, held to honour Indigenous peoples and their history.

Thanksgiving in Ballyglass NS reminds us to be grateful for our families, friends, and our lovely Ardrahan community.

By Sarah Parkinson – Student Council Chairperson (6th Class)

Catherine Connolly & Troy Parrott Inspire Ireland

We learned that Catherine Connolly grew up in Galway in a big family and worked extremely hard to become a barrister (a type of lawyer) and later a TD. She always stood up for fairness and the rights of others. In 2025, she even became President of Ireland, which is very inspiring.

Troy Parrott is one of Ireland’s brightest young footballers. In 2025, he became a hero by scoring a last-minute hat-trick to help Ireland reach the World Cup play-offs. He is from Portland Row in Dublin, a small street that has also produced stars like Wes Hoolahan and Olympic champion Kellie Harrington. Troy scored five goals in the final two games of qualifying to send Ireland into the paly-offs against The Czech Republic.

For the students of Ballyglass NS, Catherine Connolly and Troy Parrott show that ordinary, hardworking people from Ireland can achieve great things.

By Aoife Creaven – Student Council Secretary (6th Class), Iarla Keane (5th Class) & James Mannion (4th Class)

🏃‍ Interview with a Champion: Kate Reflects on Her Big Race

Kate Whiriskey won the Cross Country County Final and finished 9th in the Connacht Final.

Interviewer: How did you feel on the day of the race?
Kate: “I felt quite nervous but really excited to get started.”

Interviewer: How did you prepare?
Kate: “I prepared by having a great night’s sleep and eating a healthy breakfast.”

Interviewer: Did you skip anyone on the home stretch?
Kate: “I had a very good start and I led the race from there on.”

Interviewer: How did you feel crossing the finish line?
Kate: “I felt exhilarated and very proud to represent my school.”

Interviewer: What are your greatest strengths as an athlete?
Kate: “Probably my determination and my desire to do well.”

Interviewer: Any more races coming up?
Kate: “Not at the moment, but I’m always ready for the next challenge!”

By Honor Mannion (6th Class)

🏆 U12 Camogie Shield Cup Final – A Fantastic Season for Ardrahan

On Saturday, 23 October, our Ardrahan U12 Camogie team had the best day ever as we won the Shield Cup Final against Kiltullagh Kilcornan Daly in Gort. The match began at 1:30 p.m., and from the throw-in we played our hearts out, working brilliantly together — including all the Ballyglass girls: Lucy Mullen, Anna Mannion, Erica Whiriskey, Cadhla Hynes, Kate Whiriskey, Honor Mannion, Amy O’Neill, Aoife Creaven, Hannah O’Neill, Caoífa Keane, and Amber Carey. When the final whistle blew, we were incredibly proud, celebrating in Sullivan’s Hotel, touring the parish with bonfires, and later enjoying great fun in PureSkill with loads of different games.

By Cadhla Hynes (5th Class)

T Rex Terror

The T-Rex was a really exciting creature that lived in the USA during the Cretaceous period, which ended about 66 million years ago. It hunted huge dinosaurs like Triceratops and Ankylosaurus, but its eyesight wasn’t very good, so it used its strong sense of smell to also find food. This meant it could scavenge as well as hunt. Even though it was gigantic, it only lived for about thirty years. The T-Rex survived for around two million years before going extinct. It is famous for its size, strength, and fierce hunting skills, making it interesting to learn about.

By James Whelan (3rd Class)

Hibernating Animals

In winter, some animals go to sleep for a really long time, and that’s called hibernating. I think it’s funny how bears curl up in caves and snooze until spring. Hedgehogs do it too. They roll into tiny balls and hide under leaves where it’s warm. Squirrels don’t sleep the whole time, but they rest in their nests and wake up to eat the nuts they saved. I like watching animals, and I wonder if they get tired of the cold. If I could hibernate, I’d bring my teddy and sleep until the sun comes back.

By Gearóid Keane (Junior Infants)

What does Santa do if Rudolph flies too fast?
He holds on for deer life!
— By Amelie Cox

Wheer did the snowman go for a dance?
The SnowBall
— By Sinéad O’Neill

Why did Rudolph fail his History test?
Because he went down in History!
— By Conor Morris

What do you call someone who is afraid of Santa?
Claustrophobic.
— By Millie Quinlan

Why was the snowman rummaging in a bag of carrots?
He was picking his nose!
— By Frank Whelan

Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Murry.
Murry who?
Murry Christmas to you!
— By Caoimhe Stankard

What do you give a sick snowman?
A chill pill!
— By Arthur Lally-Bryan

Why did Santa bring an extra pair of socks to the golf course?
In case he got a hole in one.
— By Joshua Barry

What do you call a snowman on roller-blades?
A snowmobile.
— By Alison Whiriskey

What is a Christmas tree’s favourite sweet?
Ornamints!
— By Cora Lynskey

What is a good stocking filler?
A foot!
— By Abigail Lynskey