St. Oliver's Chicks

Once upon a time there were 7 little eggs that made the short journey from Nore Park Farm Kilkenny to St. Oliver's N.S. Clonmel escorted by the one and only farmer Gareth. Gareth introduced both young and old to his precious cargo and then tucked them up, where they would be nice and warm inside their incubator!

There they would stay for the next 21 days under the watchful eyes of passers-by, children, staff, parents, grandparents and guests! Not to mention the St. Oliver's extended family watching via the webcam (many a dinner was burnt during this period!).

Finally day 21 arrived and one by one the eggs began to hatch. The last egg to hatch cracked through its shell at 2:30p.m. on Tuesday 27th January, the front hall mirrored a tense maternity ward as many eager parents and staff encouraged the little black chick to make the final push to freedom!! And then there were four.

The following day the four chicks put on a fluffy parade for all the grandparents who came to visit our school on Grandparents’ Day and the ‘oohhing’ and ‘ahhhing’ was endless.

Later that day there was great excitement as they were moved into more comfortable and spacious accommodation in their tank. Willie and Mr. O’Connell did the honours as a crowd gathered to watch. Mr. Murphy set up the feeders and Ms. O’Keeffe connected the webcam. We were all set for two weeks of chick antics.

We watched them grow daily and classes visited regularly. It was hard to pass them without even a slight glance or pause and the chirping could be heard throughout the halls. As they ate and exercised they got stronger and stronger and began losing their baby feathers.

When they were 14 days old they were close to flying the coop and soon it would be time for them to leave us. Gareth collected the then appropriately named Daffodil, Oliver, Plunkett and Blaze and transported them back to Nore Park Farm where they now live happily ever after.