Legging it to scoil ar an mbus

It's 8.25 a.m. on a congested Swords Road in north Dublin and the Gaelscoil Cholmcille walking bus begins its 20-minute journey to school from Whitehall Church. About 60 children, each wearing a fluorescent yellow bib, are excited and busy chatting to friends in Irish. "They've been looking forward to this since they got up this morning," says Ellen Dean, mother of Karl (six) and Ryan (four). "The kids are so proud of themselves," says teacher Maureen McLoughlin. "Cars are beeping their horns - the children get so much attention. They speak Irish before they get to school."

Organised by chairperson of the school board, Aine Ni Dhonncha, as part of Dublin Corporation's Walk to School Week, the project aims to reduce traffic at the school entrance and to improve safety for the children. Parents park their cars at the church and supervise pupils aged from four to eight on the walk. The time is passed with plenty of songs.

"Lots of families are walking each morning and enjoying the social aspect of the walk," Ni Dhonncha says. "The traffic at the school has been reduced by half and the children are getting exercise."

Michael Byrne, road safety officer in Dublin Corporation, says it also teaches children basic road safety. "It is a fun way to get to know the environment," he says. "They certainly learn more than being cocooned in a car."

Singing, chatting, attention - walking to school has never been so much fun.