The document provides information about St. Nicholas' N.S. located in Claddagh, Galway. It describes Claddagh as a famous fishing village known for its swans and as the origin of the Claddagh ring. The school has over 360 students and is located in the heart of Claddagh village. It has specialized facilities like an ASD unit and gymnasium. Music and the Irish language are important parts of the school culture. The school aims to promote partnership between home, school and community.

1. St. Nicholas’ N.S.
Claddagh
Galway

2. Claddagh
 The Claddagh is a famous fishing village, on the fringe of Galway
City.
 It has been termed as the last Celtic outpost of Europe and it is the
area where our school is located.
 Its name comes from the Irish name ‘An Cladach’, meaning a stony
shore.
 Swans congregate here at the pier. People from near and far come to
watch the majestic birds and to feed them.

3. History of Claddagh
 Claddagh is one of the oldest places in
Galway. Traditionally the Claddagh was
a fishing village and also an area where
the market was held where merchants
and traders would congregate to barter
and sell their goods.
 The ‘old Claddagh’ looks nothing like
the modern version we know it as today.
Years ago the people had very basic
houses. These were made form mortar
and lime with a thatch roof. We call
these thatch houses.
 The small thatched whitewashed
cottages of the fishermen are now gone,
but the black hulls of the fishing boats,
Galway Hookers and Pucans can still be
seen, here on the edge of Galway Bay.

4.  The men in the Claddagh were
predominantly fishermen by trade.
 Their work was harsh and often took them
away from their loved ones for days and
weeks at a time.
 They fished from a famous boat called a
‘hooker’ or a ‘currach’.
 The women of the Claddagh were
homemakers.
 They looked after the children and did all the
work around the home.
 It was also very challenging for the women as
the Irish tended to have large families and
didn’t have the income and facilities to meet
the needs. Times were tough…
 The world famous Claddagh ring owes its
origin to this area of Galway. It comprises a
heart and two hands clasped in friendship
and was used as a traditional wedding ring
which is still made in Galway.

5. Local Attractions
 Tourists from around the world come to see the lovely views of the River
Corrib and Galway Bay, the local swans and the place that gave its name to
the famous Claddagh ring. Here are some other popular tourist attractions:
 The Spanish Arch
The Spanish Arch stands on the banks of the river Corrib across from the
village of the Claddagh. The arch is so named because of Galway’s trading
with Spain during Medieval times. The Spanish Arch is part of the remains
of the city walls and the Galway City Museum now stands in this historic
area. The Arch leads to the Long Walk promenade, where there is a beautiful
view of Galway Bay. On a warm day many people sit out in the Spanish
Parade Plaza, in front of the Spanish Arch, the area which was once the
bustling Fish Market, where the fishwives of the Claddagh sold baskets of
fish.

6.  Quay Street winds up into Galway City from
the Spanish Parade. This narrow street has a
distinctly Medieval style and is part of the
Latin Quarter of Galway. This is one of the
most lively streets of Galway and it is lined
with pubs and restaurants. Music and crowds
of people flood the street at night time where
you will be sure to find a great atmosphere of
enjoyment and ‘craic’.
 The Galway Market has been trading every
Saturday morning beside the Collegiate
Church of St Nicholas for centuries. Traders
come here selling fresh produce and hand
made crafts. There is also a great variety of
locally produced cheeses, home made breads,
jams, marmalades, crepes, hand made
chocolates, soups, madras curry and sushi to
name but a few gourmet treats. Crafts include
Celtic and other types of jewellery, knitted
scarves, hats, gloves, handbags, and much
more.

7.  Lynch’s Castle is located right in the heart of Galway City. It was the
home of one of the most powerful merchant families in Galway during
the 15th and 16th centuries. The building is one of the finest examples
of a town castle in the country. Town castles were popular homes for
wealthy merchants in Ireland during Medieval times. To this day the
original structure remains intact and beautifully preserved. The exterior
features the Lynch coat of arms, finely carved gargoyles, and
decorative windows.

8. Our School – St. Nicholas’ N.S.
 Located in the heart of Claddagh Village in Galway City.
 Built in 1933, celebrating 80 years this year!
 Originally divided into a boys' school and a girls' school.
 Later amalgamated to become co-educational.
 The school currently has over 360 pupils, over 40
teachers and 25 special needs assistants (SNAs).

9.  In recent years, the school has seen
extensive development of its facilities
including the construction of a new
gymnasium.
 This is where all classes and teachers
assemble in the morning and begin
the day with a prayer. (We also sing
our school anthem on Fridays!)
 Physical Education (P.E.) classes take
place here daily. School concerts and
recitals take place here too.
 Our craft centre, established in 1993,
is run by a dedicated art teacher. It is
fully equipped and provides the
children with a unique artistic
experience. It even has a ‘kiln’!
Gymnasium and Craft Centre

11. ASD Unit
 In 2001, our new purpose-built ASD unit for children with
autism was opened.
 Our school was the first in Galway to offer such a class in a
mainstream setting.
 The facility includes a therapy room, a sensory room and a
life-skills room.

12.  We have four dedicated classes for
children diagnosed with ASD.
 These classes cater for 22 children.
 Each class has 1 teacher and 2 or
more special needs assistants and
there is a teacher to pupil ratio of 1
to 6.
 We aim to equip the children in our
school with social skills and
communication skills as well as
academics.
 We hope that one day the children
will be able to become contributing
members of society, living
independently and having gainful
employment.

13. The *Teacch Model Classroom
 We base our A.S.D.classrooms on the Teacch Model from
North Carolina in USA.
 There is a Station for Group Work where the children all
work together on the same subject matter.
 Each pupil also has their own individual Work Station for
independent work or 1 to 1 teaching.
*Treatment and Education of Autistic and related
Communication-handicapped Children

14.  The Teacch Model promotes working from left to right.
 The children work on 3 items in a session, one at a time,
from top to bottom.
 Each finished item is placed in the Finished Tray.
1.
2.
3.
Finished
 The pupils also benefit greatly from the Interactive White
Board. There is one in almost every classroom in our school.

15.  The children learn their daily
timetable and routine from
their schedule.
 They manage their own daily
schedule, under the guidance
of the Special Needs
Assistants.
 We have a small room called
the Quiet Room.
 If children need a break or a
rest they can lie down on mats
or a bean bag.
 It is also a great place for the
teacher to rest after a long day
at work…!!! 

16. Music in Claddagh N.S.
 Music is a very important part our curriculum, our school
culture and our ethos.
 We are very fortunate and proud to have many talented
musicians as teachers on our staff who are a great
inspiration to our pupils.
 Children are taught how to play many different types of
instruments including tin whistle, bell irons, violin, guitar,
piano accordion and drums.
 The award-winning School Band leads the opening of
Galway's Oyster Festival each September, as well as
marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade each year.

18.  We are very proud of our fabulous school choir which
includes children from upper primary (3rd-6th class) who
practice every week in preparation for competitions and
recitals.
 They sing a range of different styles from traditional to
contemporary and they love showing off their beautiful
voices and perfect harmonies!

19.  Our Christmas pageant which takes place every
year is an amazing event! Children take part
through narration, singing, playing instruments,
dancing and acting to tell the Christmas story and
it is truly magical!

20. Home, School, Community Liaison
 We are very fortunate to have the Home School
Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme in our
school.
 The aim of the scheme is to promote
partnership between home, school and the
community and to ensure that every child
participates fully in the school scheme.
 It recognises the role of parents as the primary
educators of their children, the influence of
the home environment and seeks to promote a
partnership between school and parents and
the local community.
 The scheme co-ordinator in our school is
Yvonne Fahy. She looks after the welfare of the
parents of St. Nicholas’ N.S.. She is available
to discuss, on a personal level, matters of
concern with parents.

21.  A Home-School-Community Liaison co-ordinator is
assigned to a school in a disadvantaged area.
Activities undertaken by Yvonne are:
 Home visitations.
 Organisation of in-school activities and courses for
parents, e.g. English classes, Zumba for parents.
 Advising and supporting parents on education- related
issues such as study skills and the promotion of a
stimulating home learning environment.
 Meeting with community interests relevant to the
education and welfare of pupils in the school
 Encouraging co-operation between home, school and
community interests, e.g. ‘Maths for Fun’ and ‘Reading for
Fun’ .
 Yvonne also organises the Parents’ choir who sing at
various school events.

23. Our school is a Global School
 Traditional and modern Ireland co-exist uniquely
at Claddagh school.
 While maintaining and celebrating the distinctive
cultural traditions of the Claddagh village, the
school was one of the first in Galway city to
welcome children and families from diverse
backgrounds.
 There are now children and staff from over 40
different cultural backgrounds in our school.
 Many children from different countries avail of
additional support for English language in
Claddagh school.

24.  Rich cultural diversity including indigenous
minority called Irish Travellers.
 Our own Irish culture and language is treasured
and studied.
 Many children remain bilingual and multilingual
and English language support is offered for up to 3
years.
 Families are encouraged to integrate into the school
community through parent classes, participation in
school wide events, ‘Fáilte Isteach’.
 A global focus is weaved into the curriculum mostly
in SPHE subject but also through arts, drama,
literature, geography, etc.
 International Day and One World Week every
second year.