Education

'Irish people seem to have forgotten about our past'

TV TALK: St McCartan’s College, Monaghan - 1 Ferghal Caulfield 2 Peter McAree 3 Michael Mahony 4 Conor Mc Kenna

Wed Oct 14 2009 - 01:00

TV TALK:St McCartan's College, Monaghan - 1Ferghal Caulfield 2Peter McAree 3Michael Mahony 4Conor Mc Kenna

ON TOMMY TIERNAN

Michael Mahony:"When Tommy Tiernan made his joke about Jews, he was looking for publicity, and he's got it. Every time a new DVD comes out, he comes out with a new publicity stunt. It's just another cynical promotion."

DUBLIN’S CULTURAL DOMINANCE

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Peter McAree:"The Dublin Theatre Festival is running at the moment. Dublin always seems to be the main venue for these events. But why is there not a National Theatre Festival? Sponsorship should be spread around."

ON CHINA

MM:"The 21st century can easily be described as China's century, and its recent celebrations show how powerful it has become. Yet Chinese culture plays no part in Ireland's education system, and it's time more emphasis was placed on Chinese culture and language."

ON WORLD HERITAGE SITES

MM:"It's the job of UNESCO to protect world heritage sites, but Irish people seem to have forgotten about our past. A clear example is the debate over the M3 motorway. It's sad that people are willing to destroy a massively significant historical site just for a motorway."

ON THE VOTING AGE

PMcA:"The national voting age is 18 in Ireland, but 16 in other places. Students our age are well versed in politics, law and democracy, and have studied Civil, Social, and Political Education for three years. We're well informed and want to have our say."

ON THE ECONOMIC FORUM IN FARMLEIGH

MM:"The meeting of the great and the good of the Irish diaspora, aimed at countering

the recession, was a great idea. More events outside the political forum can only be welcomed.”

ON A TRIP TO BELGIUM

Conor McKenna:"This year we're all going on a science trip to Belgium. We'll be taking part in a simulated space mission and experiencing centrifugal force."

ON AGE AWARENESS

Ferghal Caulfield:"Age awareness day was held a few weeks ago, but there was little or no coverage in the papers. It should have been front page news as the elderly should be acknowledged and respected for the vital contribution they've made to society.

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