We organise, promote and support a wide range of events that may be of interest to past students or persons associated with the College. We hope you find something that you would like to attend or support.
For thirty years past pupils of Blackrock College have been treating a group of children from the Holy Family NS in Monkstown to a day out with Santa. In recent years some of the parents who are now dropping off their boys and girls have commented that they themselves took part in the early years and have very fond memories of the day.
The excitement builds from early morning where the children gather to be picked up by the bus from the Bluepool to take them to Leisure Plex in Stillorgan. When they have boarded the bus the Blackrock transition year boys who meet them there are usually tasked with starting the Christmas carol singalong.
On arrival at Leisure plex the Mount Anville TY students join the group and the fun gets going. With sometimes nearly 50 children aged between 5 and 8, the TY girls & boys, and the organisers have their hand full as the children scatter and spend a little over an hour sliding, jumping into ball pits and generally chasing each other around.
Once again, its back on the bus for the short trip to The Goat Inn which Charlie Chawke generously provides for the afternoons entertainment. On arrival, the kids are treated to fun tattoos and a chance to make Christmas cards and other forms of arts and hobbies. For those that want to and are able there is a disco, limbo dancing, pass the parcel and lost more to keep them occupied. The Goat then provide sausages and chips to the children before the main attraction arrives.
The children gather on the dance floor and start to sing as they know if they don’t make enough noise as their special guest might not hear them. The sound they make as the tension builds often drowns out the sport been played on the TV’s downstairs. It is only after Santa arrives on his Sleigh and makes the short journey through the bar that for the bewildered customers it all becomes clear.
When Santa enters the room the sound is deafening and the look of Joy on the children is worth its weight in gold. Presents are delivered and squeals of joy can be heard all over the room as wrapping paper and packaging gets ripped apart. For some this is the day they will remember for the year.
Exhausted the children board the bus home where Santa has left one last surprise of a selection box. Just in case they are not hyper enough already!
The transition students from Blackrock College and Mount Annville need to be singled out for the effort they all put into working with the children throughout the day. Some very special bonds are formed and it is because of their efforts that so many children enjoy their little adventure before Christmas.
Please contact Karl to find out more information on this annual event he organises with his wife Linda to help children at Christmas time.
Events Calendar
2019
