C A R L I N G F O R D ♕

On Monday morning at 7am all TYs met in the Esso car park just around the corner from our school, to start our journey to Carlingford. We were spread out along the back row of the bus stuffing our faces for two hours until we eventually reached the small town.

We were allocated our rooms and allowed to go up to them to pick our beds and whatnot. We got the room of twelve but only eleven of us filled it. There was 150 euro worth of sweets in our room and all were eaten.

We met all the instructors that would be working with us in carlingford on the first day. Erin, Teddy♥️, Dave, Darren, Edel and Conor. They were so kind and helpful. The first day we were split into Group A and group B. Group A went out into the water, ten of us sat on a canoe and canoed out to a waterfall where one of our instructors Dave (very good looking) poured a cold bucket of water over our heads. It was exactly like doing the ice bucket challenge although a lot colder as we had just been in the water. We canoed back to shore but on our way we stopped at the trampoline and jumped off. Also where Sarah Creaven nearly killed me xx

After lunch we did a challenge course, which was like different games where they tried making us bond. Another school were there doing skyline which we all wanted to do. The best challenge course was when we were put into a massive black shed thing and there were three floors. There was no light or anything and we had to find our way out with no help. We didn't make it out in the half hour we were given but that was okay because it was really fun.

We went back to the adventure centre for 5 and had our dinner then at 7 we headed up to the forest and did a nightline challenge. We walked through the forest blindfolded and had to hold onto a rope that led us around. It was fun although everyone needed to be more enthusiastic. When we got back we walked to the chinese and to the shop and bought even more food for the night ahead. Me and a few of the girls went to sleep pretty early but the rest stayed up.

Day 2: 

Our wakeup call was clearly dreaded. We were called down for breakfast at 07:45 and had to be ready to leave for 9. Our room was a mess, so that had to be cleaned and all our bags had to be packed. We went back to the water with instructors Teddy Dave and Fiona, oh and Gerry, and went kayaking and just played on the shore for a while before heading back for lunch. After lunch we walked to the forest again where we played laser tag for 2 hours. That was the best thing out of the two days. We all dressed in army overalls and had guns to kill each other with. We were split into two groups the blue and the red. I was on the red team. Even though we weren't allowed run, we all did anyway. Teddy is the instructor in the picture!

We left Carlingford town just after 4.30pm and started the long journey home. I was beside Aoife and we slept for most of it. Everyone was wrecked from all the walking and all the water sports. I think most people arms we're painful from all the canoeing and things. The bus still had a cheerful atmosphere which was good. That's what I like about my TY year, no matter how tired and down the year may be, there always seems to be a happy and cheerful atmosphere. We all bonded, and that was what the aim of the trip was. We even talked to some of the girls from the other school, and they were really nice.





Wednesday was a horrible day. Not really, just everyone was extremely tired from Carlingford. We had three workshops. One on work experience where we learned what to do when next Wednesday comes, the second was on Limits in Life, we learned how we should never be afraid to do something we want to. The speaker really did make an impact as I think everyone became more comfortable around each other and the third was etiquette again where we learned about fake tan and make up. That was my favourite. Thursday was also fun, we had classes up until 11.20 before heading of to NUI Maynooth for Kildare Enterprise on Mini Company. We got the bus over and spent two hours learning about Mini Company as a whole. Now all we need is an idea to compete and we'll be off!

I'm really happy I chose to do TY because it really has given us the chance to make more friends and become more confident in ourselves, and it is a break from working constantly. I love my class mates and my year. I love the things we've been doing since it stated and I would never drop out to go into 5th year even if I had the chance. I can't wait to start work experience next Wednesday, also my birthday woo ♥️

Seeya next week :)))