Extra Curricular Activities
Extra-Curricular activities, along with co-curricular activities, play a huge part in school life here in Ardscoil Rís, as it is at the edges of the curriculum that some of the greatest learning can often take place. All the while, not forgetting that our students are full-time students and part-time sports people, musicians, singers, dancers, debaters and so on.
The opportunity to represent your school on the sports field or on the stage is very much supported here in Ardscoil Rís where we offer a wide variety of extra-curricular activities for our students to enjoy. This of course would not be possible without the dedication of so many members of staff and parents/guardians. Many past pupils recognise the opportunities afforded them as students in Ardscoil Rís to represent the school on the sports field or on the stage which became a very formative experience for them as they later wore intercounty, provincial, or national jerseys or performed on the biggest stages.
What follows below is an overview of the range of extra-curricular activities on offer, listed alphabetically, as well as some information on the Ardscoil Rís Civic Activities and Celebrating Achievements in Ardscoil Rís
Athletics
Our athletes' season runs over the course of the school year, starting off with cross-country through from North-Munster to Munster to All-Irelands. The indoor season follows next, with the outdoor season coming later in the school year, again progressing from North Munster, to Munster culminating in the Irish Schools Outdoor Track and Field Championships All-Irelands in June. Many of our athletes also run with local clubs, while many run-for-fun with school.
Choir
The Ardscoil Rís Choir plays a central role in school life and perform at so many events in the life of the school such as Graduations, Opening of the School Year Mass, Le Cheile Day, Christmas, where, without doubt, they add so much to any occasion. Its members comprise students from 1st to 6th Year with the Senior Choir Members playing a leadership role in the Choir also.
Debating and Public Speaking
Students have the opportunity to take part in debating where the skills of debating such as drafting your opening arguments, thinking on your feet during rebuttals can be honed through our in-house 1st Year Debates as well as the Edmund Rice Trophy, a competition for 2nd Year debating with other local schools.
During Transition Year there is the opportunity to develop some of these skills further in our Annual TY Public Speaking Competition.
Equestrian
The school competes in various schools' equestrian events that take place throughout the school year, affording more students an opportunity to represent their school.
Golf
The school competes in various schools golfing events that take place over the course of the school year, affording more students the opportunity to represent their school. Many students play golf with local golf clubs and enjoy the opportunity to be selected for the school golf team..
Hockey
Hockey is our newest sport offered in the school, having being first introduced in 2017, as an avenue for students to wear the Ardscoil Rís jersey. It has grown significantly since then and the school now fields teams across a range of ages and has seen Ardscoil Rís students represent Munster U16 Hockey, as well as being called into training camps for possible Irish U16 selection.
Hurling
Ardscoil Rís plays Hurling at 'A' level across all ages from 1st years to 6th Years in a wide-range of competitions. On St. Patrick's Day 2022 the school won its first Croke Cup (U19 A All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools) after a number of narrow losses. The school has won 5 Harty Cup titles, most recently in 2018 and 3 Dean Ryan titles, most recently in 2023. The school takes great pride in the number of past pupils who have gone on to wear their county jerseys and win All-Ireland titles over recent years.
Rowing
The school competes in various schools rowing events that take place over the course of the school year. While our students row with the various local rowing clubs, these schools rowing events afford our students the opportunity to represent their school and, on occasion, row with students they may have competed against at club level. We are especially proud of our students who have gone on to row at international level with Ireland.
Rugby
Ardscoil Rís plays rugby at 'A' level from 1st Year to 6th Year competing in both Munster and Limerick competitions. The school competes in the Munster Schools Senior Cup where over the years numerous players have been selected for Munster Schools Squads for various interprovincial competitions as well as being selected for Irish Schools Squads. The schools also competes in the Munster Schools Junior Cup winning it twice in 2003 and 2005. The school takes great pride in the numbers of past pupils who are recent and current Irish Senior Men's Internationals.
Trad Group
The school has a wonderful and lively traditional Irish music group in the school, where various musicians join to play at various events in the school year such as Le Cheile Day, 6th Year Coffee Mornings, Christmas and so on. Like our Choir, the Trad Group adds so much to the life of the school and is composed of members from 1st Year to 6th Year.
Ardscoil Rís Civic Activities
Ardscoil Rís offers its students the opportunity to be involved in a number of civic activities including:
- Edmund Rice Awards
- India Immersion Programme 2002-2018 (every two years)
- Gaisce
- Anois
- Annual food appeal for local charities.
- John Paul II Awards
- Youth Ambassador
- Voluntary/Community Work/Eucharistic ministers
Celebrating Achievements in Ardscoil Rís
In May of each year Ardscoil Rís holds its Annual Awards where the achievements of well over 200 students are formally celebrated in front of their peers. It is a wonderful occasion celebrating and acknowledging the achievements of so many. Some of the various categories include
- Student of the Year in each subject area
- Overall Student of the Year
- Community Award
- Edmund Rice Personal Achievement Award
- Multiple Sporting Awards
- Art Award
- Music Award
- Drama Award
- Debating Award
- County & Provincial Representation
- International Representation
- Roll of Honour
