Our annual Tráth na gCeist to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge has become a real annual highlight in Ballyconnell. Indeed, last year’s marked the first time pupils from different classes had congregated together after the lifting of Covid restrictions. Thankfully, all those srianta (restrictions) have stayed very much in the past. Buíochas le Dia!

This year’s Tráth na gCeist saw 22 teams from Rang a 3, 4, 5 agus a 6 compete to be crowned Tráth na gCeist winners for 2023. Agus a leithéid de chomórtas! And what a competition it turned out to be!

Throughout the six babhtaí (rounds), all teams scored well and the lead changed hands on numerous occasions. Going into the last picture round, no one could be sure who has going to take the title.

The last babhta was, as always, a picture round, this year it was based on Pixar films (plus An Cailín Ciúin). Some teams were caught out with Finding Dory, with many writing Finding Nemo instead!

After 6 rounds, we had our buaiteoirí (winners). The team of Ella O’Neill, Elliot McCarthy, Éire Sheils, and Tadhg Jackman were victorious. Behind them, we had a tie-break between three teams for 2^nd and 3^rd place.

The múinteoirí chose what they thought was a very difficult question for the tie-break. ‘How many pupils are in Ballyconnell NS?’ Remarkably, all three teams got the answer correct! We would have to go níos casta (harder)! ‘In what year did Mrs Dolan arrive in Ballyconnell NS?’

That separated them! Saoirse’s team of three reckoned 1989, which was the closest to the correct answer, an answer which we’ll not reveal on a public forum such as this. It was, however, post-1989!

In second place then, we had Saoirse Cahill, Reuben Wilson and Rory O’Leary. In third place, we had Maeve O’Toole, Emma O’Grady, Darragh Coleman-Murray and James Doyle. Maith sibh go léir! Well done everybody!

Míle buíochas to Ms Doyle, Mr Byrne and Ms Dagg, who were the Máistrí na gCeisteanna, to Ms Ryan, who collected answer sheets, and to Ms Burke, who corrected and took grianghraif (photos). Here’s looking forward to Tráth na gCeist 2024!