Robocup Ireland Title Retained

In the future it is hoped that automated robots will be released into disaster areas to test for dangerous gases, survey damage and assist survivors. When this happens, four St Aidan's pupils could be at the forefront of the technology, as our team has won the Robocup Ireland Rescue Category for the second year running.

Kevin Reilly, Eoin McCormack, Andrew Jordan and Aaron Kennedy (all 5th year) represented Ireland in Bremen, Germany last summer but this year they will cross the Atlantic and compete in the World Robocup Champioships in Atlanta, Georgia in early July. The team competed and were victorious in the recent secondary school's competition run by The National College of Ireland. This year's victory was even more impressive as the lads purchased their own robot on Ebay, programmed it without professional assistance and beat teams who had had much more time to prepare than them. We wish them the very best of luck as they represent their families, the school and the country on an international stage. The team are busy fundraising at present to help finance the trip and thanks are extended to Mr Reynolds, Mr Duffy and Mr Deneher for all their help with this.

A very honourable mention must also go to Owen Corrigan, Ciaran Tuohy, Darren O'Connell and Sadiqur Rahman {all TYPI) who came second in the same competition in their first year competing. Perhaps next year could be the turn of these young men. It was an extraordinary achievement for the school to finish first and second out of the 15 schools competing, and especially as they both ended up a huge distance ahead of the third placed team.

Roddy's Words of Wisdom

Booker-Prize winning author Roddy Doyle visited the school on Tuesday May 15th to talk to Transition Year pupils about his life and work. The pupils had read many of his novels and Roddy generously spent an hour and a half answering questions and giving general advice to aspiring young writers. He then signed books for all present and the boys agreed that he was one of the most inspiring, modest and funny people they had ever met. He was presented with a painting to commemorate his visit and to thank him for taking a break from his busy schedule to spend time with some fellow Northsiders. Roddy himself enjoyed the visit immensely and found his audience intelligent and engaging. Thanks are extended to Mr Keane, Mr Cotter and Mr Deneher for helping to organise the visit.