Shinrone National School

On the 25th May 2010, 2nd to 6th class pupils from Shinrone NS travelled to Dublin. We waited excitedly outside the school gates at 7.30am for the school bus to arrive.

When the bus stopped beside the beautiful city West Hotel I could not wait to see the Titanic Exhibition in the Hotel.

I loved the exhibition. It was amazing, probably a once in a life time opportunity. We learned all about the luxurious famous ship through a large collection of photographs, sound effects and over 300 genuine artefacts. We explored the first class and third class accommodation and saw personal item recovered after spending decades on the ocean floor.

We felt the coldness of an iceberg, smelt actual perfume from the Titanic and heard the roar of the engine. We empathized with the poor fire workers who had very low wages.

On entering the exhibition we were given a replica boarding pass of a real passenger who was on the Titanic. My passenger was called Mrs. Claus Peter Hanson. She was 45 years old and was accompanied by her father and brother-in-law. She was from Racine in Wisconsin. She was a third class passenger and before leaving her family whom she had not seen in 22 years she told her brother that she had a feeling that she would not return alive, she even told him the type of funeral arrangements she wanted. However she did survive but unfortunately she lost her father, brother-in-law and friend. I was happy she survived but I felt disappointed and sad when I found out her family hadn't.

I felt sad when I saw the length of the list of all those who lost their lives, I felt sorry for all those poor people who bought tickets hoping to get to America safely but instead went through one of the largest shipping disasters ever.

On our way home we went for a swim in Roscrea Leisure Centre Pool. The centre is a brilliant new facility situated on the old Dublin Road. It has a water slide, a mushroom fountain, two swimming pools, a steam room, a sauna, gym and good changing rooms. I would defiantly love to return to Roscrea Swimming Pool again.

I really enjoyed the day but as I am in 6th Class it was my last school tour with Shinrone NS. I will miss going on school tours with all my friends.

Shauna Stringer