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TY Students Embrace Christmas Spirit with Handmade Wreaths 

This week, a group of incredibly talented and hardworking Transition Year (TY) students (too many to mention, for fear of leaving anyone out! but you know who you are!) brought Christmas to life by making fabulous Christmas wreaths. They worked diligently in the poly tunnel turning an impressive array of natural materials into stunning Christmas decorations. They will look beautiful on Christmas tables/doors around Ballaghaderreen. 

Their creations featured holly, ivy, red berries, and evergreen leaves—each bunch of greenery was chosen and assembled with care. Traditionally, the circular shape of the wreaths serves as a reminder of God’s strength, eternal life, and unending love.  

The students used largely sustainable materials, ensuring the wreaths were both beautiful and eco-friendly. The process began with building a strong wreath base using sally rods tightly woven in a circle, sustainably sourced from our own hedges/ trees behind the school.  Next came the layering of greenery, holly, ivy and fern to form the body of the wreath, courtesy of Ms. Farrell. Decorations such as pinecones, conifers, sticks, dried orange and apple slices, berry sprigs and cute robins were then carefully added.  Equipped with secateurs, wire cutters, and cable ties, the students demonstrated incredible teamwork and creativity. They really are perfectionists as the attached pictures show. 

The poly tunnel was filled with festive cheer and chat as the group worked together. Amid the laughter, there was plenty of music, Christmas carols, chocolates and sweets to keep spirits high, creating the perfect atmosphere in the run up to the Christmas holidays.  

The students also made wreaths to decorate the Bishops’ graves at the Cathedral. This thoughtful gesture added a lovely touch to their work, showing that Christmas is about love, remembrance, and giving back to the community. Thank You to Ms. Staunton for the red berries and Thank You to Ms. Owens for adding the little decorations and the use of her glue gun.