Eilís Lynch has had a busy 24 hours collecting her award after being named to the AIB Club Team of the Year and helping Kerry beat Meath 1-13 to 1-8 to secure a place in the Lidl National League Division 1 final today.
And to top things off, she helped her students at Kilmurry National School perform the national anthem in sign language before the game.
Lynch is a teacher at Kilmurry National School and an advocate for the deaf and hard-hearing community. As part of her teaching, she recruited several students to learn the National Anthem in ISL and represent the school ahead of the clash against Meath.
The students are from different years between the second and sixth classes. They were present on the field before the game, signing the National Anthem while Aileen Lynch provided vocals.
As the school’s special class teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing, she has been instrumental in incorporating ISL into the school’s activities, making learning fun and meaningful for all students.
Speaking to TG4 at the beginning of the year, Lynch explains the joys of working in the school.
“In 2020, we jumped at the opportunity to open a special classroom for the deaf and hard of hearing, the first of its kind in Kerry,” Lynch said.
“We use ISL to enhance learning here in Kilmurry. It's such a multi-sense approach to learning using your hands, so all children benefit.
The whole school embraces learning sign language, so hopefully, by the time our students have part-time jobs, they can introduce themselves and take an order in a Caffe from a deaf person. Little things like this that we can do can make a huge difference.
It's fabulous for them to build connections, and having these special classes assures that no child is ever excluded or isolated from the community.
If you ever wonder where the most die-hard Kerry supporters are, you will find them in the schoolyard. They travel the length and breadth of the country to support us. Even in Croke Park, you might catch them on the screen using sign language. They are just fantastic.”
We might see Lynch and the Kilmurry school performing the National anthem in Croke Park soon.
