Arts Week 2013: Junior Cert. students visit Collins Barracks

On Thursday, 14th November, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year students visited Collins Barracks as part of Arts Week. 2nd Years were asked to write about their experience for homework. (Click on blog title for more photos.)

Lara McGuinness (2nd Year)
On Thursday, 14th November 1st, 2nd and 3rd Years went to Collins Barracks. We left on the bus in the morning. When we got there, we walked around the big courtyard and had a jog. Then we went inside to the museum. We were put into groups and had to answer a sheet of questions. After that, we got a tour of the museum. I thought it was really interesting and fun.

Jake Henry (2nd Year)
I have been to Collins Barracks many times due to my Dad being stationed there in the Seventies. I was there lots of times so when I found out we were going again I must have been the only person in our year to just say "cool" and not "oh yeah this is going to be awesome". Nonetheless it was a good experience. I had not been there in a while so it was good to see the new exhibits.

Alannah Anderson (2nd Year)
Our visit to Collins Barracks was a lot of fun. The best thing about it was the big courtyard where everyone took a jog. My favourite artefact was a book and hidden inside that book was a small hand gun. It makes you think that you couldn't trust anyone. What made it worth our while is that we were shown around by two wonderful guides and we got to see and touch some artefacts. We got to wear some of the helmets from World War I and World War II. Overall it was a really good day.

Ryan Baker (2nd Year)
Recently, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Years went to Collins' Barracks Museum. We held a pike from the 1500s, saw the armour, helmets and jackets the Irish and British wore during the Plantations, saw the Irish Republican flag that was hoisted above the GPO in 1916 and saw war vehicles. I personally enjoyed dressing up in some of the English and Irish army uniforms. We were shown many weapons and we got to see the coat that Michael Collins' wore before he died. I really enjoyed the experience and hope to visit it again in later years.

Eva Stewart (2nd Year)
On Thursday, 14th November, we went to Collins Barracks. We were brought on a bus. When we got there we ran around the courtyard. Finally we were brought inside to the museum and told which groups we were in. When everyone was split into their groups we were taken to see all the old weapons that the Irish army used. Half way during the visit we were allowed get food and then we were told a little more about the place.

Derinn MacMahon (2nd Year)
On Thursday, 14th November, first to third years went to Collins Barracks. We arrived and first we walked or ran a lap of the courtyard. We were split into groups. We had to fill in a sheet of questions about the barracks and its rich history. Collins Barracks is located beside the River Liffey. It was the British army base for many years and in their museum there are many artefacts from that time. We went to a display of artefacts from the 1913 lockout. Our guide showed us the armour and machinery used in the wars. There were also many planes and tanks that were used. Our trip to Collins Barracks was very educational and informative. I learnt lots about the lockout and the wars during our trip.

Cormac Kelly (2nd Year)
I had high hopes for our trip to Collins Barracks, and it did not dissapoint whatsoever. When we arrived there I was surprised to see such a big complex with a sprawling courtyard at the front doors. We went in two large groups. We went to different parts of the exhibition and then we swapped over. It was so interesting to delve into Irish history and to see real arefacts from that time. I learned about things in the Barracks that I had not heard of before. I now have a better understanding of Irish history. 

The tour was interactive and unique, from dressing up in a trench coat to holding a model rifle. The trip was both enjoyable and educationa. I now know how a bomb shelter works and why the first type of UN tank was severely flawed. The trip gave me a better insight on how the Irish military worked out the things the military did to protect Ireland. Overall it was a brilliant trip that mixed enjoyment and education to make it a fabulous experience that should not be missed.

Julie Cahill (2nd Year)
On the Thursday 14th of November, all the first to third year students went to visit Collins Barracks. Collins Barracks is located beside the River Liffey. When we reached our destination we were split into 'fruit' groups. This was to ensure that all of the students received the same amount of information. It was the British army base. Collins Barracks contains many artefacts which includes a very interesting display on the 1913 lockout. When I was at Collins Barracks I saw army uniforms, different kinds of guns, tanks, weapons and lots more. My favourite part of the trip was when I tried on an army helmet and when the class dressed up in the army uniforms. 

Oscar McHale (3rd Year)
I enjoyed all of Arts Week. I think that it is a nice break from the usual academic work. It was good to give time for the Arts, e.g. music and storytelling. These seem to be overlooked in the greater scheme of things. The highlight was Collins Barracks as I love military history and it was very interesting.