PICTURES: Students ‘Finnish’ off their trip to Limerick in style

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A GROUP of Finnish school students and teachers have returned home after a week in Limerick they will never forget.

They were welcomed with open arms by city school Coláiste Nano Nagle, who had enjoyed a school trip to Finland last year.

Their Finnish visitors from Pogosta School in Ilomantsi were taken to local tourist attractions and were even taught how to play hurling!

Sinéad Moloney, principal of Coláiste Nano Nagle, said: “These trips of a lifetime for the students have formed a bond between the schools and were a rich learning experience for the students”.

"Our project was organised in liaison between Coláiste Nano Nagle and STEPS School Completion Programme. Jonna Malone, the coordinator of STEPS is from Ilomansti in Finland, and her first cousin Kirsi Takala is one of the teachers who came on the trip to Limerick.  

"The youth exchange involves the participating students taking part in preparatory activities in school prior to the actual mobility project. These activities involve organising fundraising activities, preparing presentations about Ireland, learning about Finland etc

"Twenty two students from Coláiste Nano Nagle travelled to Finland in February 2023 with Jonna Malone, myself and two teachers. We engaged in a week of activities which included a skiing, sledging, ice skating, ice sculpting, and learning the Kantele, the national instrument of Finland. We attending school in Finland. Students gave presentations on Ireland to the Finnish students and performed for them - Irish singing and Irish dance," said Ms Moloney.

They gave a Limerick jersey signed by Declan Hannon to Pogosta School which has been given pride of place.

The Finnish students did similar cultural activities in Ireland including visiting Limerick's St Mary's Cathedral, King John's Castle, International Rugby Experience, Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Aillwee Cave and surfing in Lahinch.

The Finnish students attended school for a few days in Coláiste Nano Nagle and did bodhran lessons, cooked traditional Irish bread and scones, and learned how to play a number of sports such as hurling and rugby. 

"We finished the visit with a whole school event which showcased traditional Irish music and dance. Our Finnish friends gave the school a kantale as a gift," said Ms Moloney.

Anne Simonen, Finnish teacher, said they had an incredible time in Limerick and Ireland.

"It has been truly an enriching experience. The students were very nervous to use a foreign language in front of other people. It is a brand new thing for all of us. Most of the students have never been abroad before so it was a lot of new things for them. The school has welcomed us with open arms," said Ms Simonen.

Students Sofia Simanainem, Juuso Eronen and Kaisa Aaltonen all kindly spoke to Limerick Live to give their thoughts on the trip. Sofia was holding a pack of cheese and onion Taytos although they could be hard to get back home in Ilomantsi!

All three said they got a "very warm welcome" from the students and staff in Coláiste Nano Nagle and their already excellent English has improved even further.  

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