Abbeyleix’s South School beating its own drum
South NS, Abbeyleix have just recently completed a very successful artists’ residency project with drumming teacher Eddie O’Neill. The residency, funded by Laois County Council Arts Office has received glowing praise from both pupils and teachers at the school. The children were so impressed that they designed and made individual thank you letters for the Arts Office.
Some of the comments included: “It was really fun, I loved using the different instruments” from Amy Joyce. Another said Thank You, Eddie O’Neill was great. He taught us a lot about African Drums and we also played other instruments” from Amy O’Halloran. All pupils from Junior Infants up to Sixth Class took part and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. A teacher commented “all pupils were enthusiastic about participating. Their understanding of rhythm and music was developed over the course of the workshops”.
Laois Arts Office runs the artists-in-schools scheme allowing collaboration between artists in any art form and pupils from the primary and second level schools. Since its inception over 80 schools in the county have benefited from some wonderfully creative and imaginative arts projects, and worked with highly professional artists.
The Arts Office acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council and the continued support of the members, staff and management of Laois County Council in the running of the Arts Programme. For more information contact: Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer, Bridie Keenan, Assistant Arts Officer. Tel: 057 8664033 Email: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie. Website: www.laois.ie