A giant puppet will adorn the streets of Ennis this St. Patrick’s Day, created by students in Ennis. Gaelcholáiste students have built a parade float for the Ennis parade, featuring a giant puppet and horse head masks, using a grant received from Creative Schools.
The float is inspired by Mannanán Mac Lir, an ancient Celtic sea god. With the guidance of Ana Colomer, a local artist and parent, the students built puppet of the god, which will stand in a currach.
“The students created every part,” said Ms Síle Ní Dheargáin, the Gaelcholáiste art teacher. “The project was grounded in our Transition Year art class but we have opened it up to the whole Gaelcholáiste community.”
Using the experience of Brian Fleming, Gaelcholáiste’s Creative Schools mentor, students will be bringing music to the float, with drumming and guitars. The project has involved people from across the school and outside of it, including Cuntóir Teanga to the Gaelcholáiste, Ms Kate Fennel, woodwork teacher, Mr Cian Ó Riordán, and engineering expert, Tiernán Ó Ruairc.
The float will be accompanied by a mixture of students and teachers, drumming, moving the puppet, and helping to move the float. “This really has been a whole school event that celebrates everything that is special about Gaelcholáiste an Chláir,” said Ms Ní Dheargáin.
