The atmosphere was electric.  Over one hundred and fifty children seated in rows the length of the hall, facing the stage and impatient for it all to get going.
The would be stars were nervous.  The gymnasts were going through their routine out on the lawn. The violinists were tuning up.  The vocalists were running back and forwards checking backing tracks......and the rumours!
Would English songs be allowed? All songs in English were disqualified!  Was playing a tune by a non Irish composer alright? Children, who had personally spoken to the judges circulated amongst the others - English songs were definitely banned.
Needless to say, the rumours and counter rumours are all part of the fun - who was going to listen to the teachers anyway?
Finally, the doors were closed, the midges excluded, the blinds pulled down and the fun began.

Shervin got the show going with the foot stamping, hand clapping 'We Will Rock You!'

This is no Carnegie Hall!  Niall, one of the college teachers, did a great job as a stage hand, even, at times,  holding the microphone for the would be stars. There were a few technical hitches giving the audience a great chance to show off to each other with their in depth analysis of the performances.
Once again it was truly heartening to see the children mixing with the other schools - even getting together (some 6th class girls) with Gael Scoil Buncrana to produce an English/Irish hybrid of a popular pop song.  They cheered each other on no matter what school the performer was from and gave standing ovations to anyone they felt deserved it.

The Kilian's students gave an eclectic range of performances.

We are a competitive lot in St. Kilian's and there were a few nerves and post performance meltdowns (minor!). Someone will win - we will know tonight- but the fun is in the taking part and the growing up is in taking it like a good sport.

Confident performers!

Time ran out and the buses had arrived so the last few stars have tonight to look forward to.

This afternoon was spent on the golden sands of Carrickfinn Beach - part of the Wild Atlantic Way. A ten minute drive from the Coláiste, the buses dropped us at the end of a winding pathway and we all trooped beachwards.  There comes a point when you round a corner and before you is a long stretch of soft, white sand, a blue, blue ocean and a breathtaking vista that even silenced the kids until someone finally could say 'O My God!' Behind us Mount Errigal loomed and in front stretched the Atlantic Ocean, framed by rocky cliffs just calling out to be climbed.

View from the cliff top.

It was a wonderful afternoon of good old fashioned fun.  Water fights, climbing, sand castle building, three legged and egg (actually orange) and spoon races. 

In the buses on the way back to the houses the girls made out their shower rotas and discussed last minute outfit changes.  The boys - were boys!  'What's a shower rota?' asked one. 'I'm eleventh,' said another, 'so I don't think I'll bother.'

Enjoy some photos below - we are all back at our houses and we teachers can only imagine the excitement.  We'll keep you posted!

Final word: yesterday's Fitbit count for teachers - 29,500 steps. However the new sleeker us is unlikely as our Bean an Tí has a perchant for home baking - every day!  Every meal is accompanied by fresh scones, brown bread, homemade jam and real butter. 

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