Scoil Chrónáin

St Cronan's Senior National School, Swords

ST BRIGID’S CROSSSt Brigid also known as “Mary of the Gael” is an abbess and patroness of Ireland, and she is also the founder of the first Irish monastery in Kildare. Born in Dundalk in 450 A.D, St Brigid is accredited with first creating the unique cross that bears her name, which is normally made from rushes but occasionally from straw.
The distinctive St Brigid’s Cross design made from woven rushes is thought to keep evil, fire and hunger from the homes in which it is displayed, however the tale of its creation is somewhat confused, and there is not one definitive version.
The tale as we know it is as follows: There was an old pagan Chieftain who lay delirious on his deathbed in Kildare (some believe this was her father) and his servants summoned Brigid to his beside in the hope that the saintly woman may calm his restless spirit. Brigid is said to have sat by his bed, consoling and calming him and it is here that she picked up the rushes from the floor and began weaving them into the distinctive cross pattern. Whilst she weaved, she explained the meaning of the cross to the sick Chieftain and it is thought her calming words brought peace to his soul, and that he was so enamoured by her words that the old Chieftain requested he was baptized as a Christian just before his passing.
Since that day and for the centuries that followed, it has been customary on the eve of her Feast Day (1st February) for the Irish to fashion a St Brigid Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house over the door.
This rush cross, which became St Brigid’s emblem, has been used in Irish designs throughout history, with many modern stylists using this now popular Irish symbol within the designs of Irish jewelry and Irish gifts.

We made St. Brigid's crosses to celebrate the feast day.

We made a variety of circuits incorporating bulbs, batteries, wires, motors and switches. We then designed and made our own switches using card, paper clips and paper fasteners.

Our 'Snowy Night' Night Paintings were inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's 'Starry Night'.

We learned about sugar and what it really does to our bodies. We examined the sugar content of our favourite drinks and cereals. we were very surprised with some of the results.

Using our knowledge of magnets and electricity we created our very own electromagnets using steel nails, copper wire and batteries. We tested our magnets using paper clips.

We learned all about sound energy and how sound travels through a medium. We then studied sound insulation and what materials are best at insulating sound. Using the information that we learned we designed and made our very own ear-muffs.