Laughter the best medicine as top Limerick comic visits secondary school

TWO days after Blue Monday Castletroy College held Wellbeing Wednesday.

Award-winning Limerick comedian, Karl Spain, paid a visit to the Limerick secondary school for Comedy Fest organised by fifth year mental health ambassadors. Their role is to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the school community and that was certainly the case thanks to Karl.

Compère, fifth year student Leah Sheehan from Annacotty, said it was important for young people like herself to understand that “having positive mental health allows us to enjoy life, believe in our own abilities, and cope with the normal stresses of life”.

Caoimhe Langan, one of the school’s mental health ambassadors said the Comedy Fest with Karl “did just that” as “laughter is the best medicine”.

With tales of how he survived his school days - “copying homework from Fergal”- and giving his captive audience some pointers on how to play pranks on their teachers, Karl had the transition year students in the palm of his hand.

Principal, Padraig Flanagan was subject to a fierce roasting from the comedian which was met with roars of laughter from both students and teachers alike. Mr Flanagan took it all in good humour and there was no detention or extra homework!

The highlight of the afternoon was carpool karaoke which saw Karl in the role of James Corden and teacher, Veronica Callinan, as the celebrity guest. They belted out Queen’s classic tune Don’t Stop me Now.

Guest Speaker John Downey, director with the Limerick and Tipperary Samaritans, spoke to the teenagers about emotional health and gave practical tips on how to manage feelings and deal with difficulties.

For once, there was no rush home when the bell went.