New Schools Programme for 2012

The Michael Cusack Centre is introducing a new programme for primary schools visiting the Centre in 2012.

Prior to a schools visit, teachers will be furnished with an activity pack which they can distribute to children. This pack includes puzzles, word games and other materials based on/connected to their tour of the Michael Cusack Centre. The activity pack will engage children and prime them for their visit to the centre.

The schools visit will be educational, creative and fun and it will be geared to the relevant age group and curriculum. In addition to the audio-visual presentation on Michael Cusack, his life and times and the foundation of the GAA in the cottage, children will also learn about the Burren environment, history, folklore, mythology, native sports, culture and history, amongst other subjects.


Teachers have a choice of additional activities:

Option one* is a tour of the Michael Cusack Centre plus a nature scavenger hunt in our Burren meadow. Cost per pupil €2.50

Option two* is a tour of the Michael Cusack Centre plus a GAA activities session at our local pitch. Cost per pupil €3.00

*Note: The nature scavenger hunt and GAA activities are weather permitting and will be substituted by the quiz when the weather is not conducive to outdoor activities.

The tour of the centre includes: an introductory talk on Michael Cusack and the GAA in the Expo room and a visit to Michael Cusack’s cottage to view a unique audio-visual presentation. This part of the visit takes approximately 40 minutes. The nature scavenger hunt and the quiz also take approximately 40 minutes each. The GAA activities at the pitch take up approximately one hour. If teachers wish though, the tour can be shortened in length where time is an issue for visiting schools.

In addition to the talk on Michael Cusack and the GAA, we also touch on the following topics/subjects during school tours:

Information on the Burren area past and present including:
• The Burren code
• Flora unique to the Burren
• Fauna regularly encountered in the area
• The Famine and the Burren area: including socio-economic effects.
• Typical housing during the famine
• Stone–wall building methods unique to the Burren
• Farming methods in the Burren including winterage
• Hedge schools
• Information on the native Irish trees growing in the grounds
• The background to the ash tree and its connection to hurling
• The ash tree’s connection to folklore through Cúchulainn
• That the Ash tree is one of the seven noble trees of Brehon Law

During the tour of Michael Cusack’s Cottage, children will:
• Experience a revolutionary audio-visual presentation
• Learn about the man himself and the founding of the GAA
• Learn about the construction materials used in Michael Cusack’s cottage and similar cottages of the era i.e. straw thatch, stone walls, cob (mud) cottages
• The Penal Laws and windows and chimney size
• See the inside of a typical thatched cottage of the 19th Century

The nature scavenger hunt:
This is a unique nature scavenger hunt, held in a typical Burren meadow close to Michael Cusack’s cottage. A scavenger hunt is a great way for children to explore the outdoors and has the added benefit of developing creativity and encouraging children to notice their surrounding environment.

Each individual or team is given a list defining specific items and must seek to gather all the items on the list. The goal is usually to be the first to complete the list or the game players can also be challenged to complete the tasks on the list in the most creative manner.

Armed with a list of items to find, children will look at the world around them with more eager eyes. A time and meeting place for the teams to return to is organised. The first team to obtain the items, make it back within the allotted time, and has the most points will be the winner.


GAA Activities:
The Michael Cusack’s GAA Pitch offers a picturesque local location for our hurling and football skills session.
Our hurling skills programme has been developed by former National Director of Hurling, Mr Paudie Butler. Children will also have the opportunity to cultivate their footballing skills. . A qualified hurling and football coach will be on hand to provide coaching for all levels. This session provides teachers with the occasion to step back and allow children exercise in a controlled environment.


Further information:
Tour option 1: Michael Cusack Centre + scavenger hunt = €2.50 per child
Tour option 2: Michael Cusack Centre + GAA skills activities = €3.00 per child
Teachers: free
Appropriate Age: Primary school Student’s 1st to 6th class
Maximum/Minimum capacity: 50 max students/no minimum
Opening Hours: 10.00-17.00 (last admission 16.30pm)
Facilities on site: Gift shop, light refreshments, free parking, picnic area, toilets, bus parking


Testimonials

"On Tuesday 25th October 2011, 4th class from Clarecastle N.S went on an outing to the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron, Co.Clare. Despite the day being very wet, the children really enjoyed the activities planned. The quiz was a great alternative to the outdoor hunt, some of the questions were a little difficult for the age group but it was still fun. The setting in the cottage and bringing the past to life in Michael’s homeplace was well conveyed and the children learned a lot about Michael Cusack and life at that time. The staff at the centre were most helpful ,friendly, obliging and professional and interacted most positively with the children. I definitely recommend this outing as a place to visit locally and capture some of the near local attractions whilst there. A great day guaranteed irrespective of the weather".

Christina Talty,
Class Teacher,
Clarecastle National School