Hermione Headlines January 2025
News from The Hermione
by Res Prefects Madeleine Decard (6J) and Fatima Mzhir (6K)
House Highlight - Richards
This month’s House Highlight is Floor 1B: Richards. Shelah Richards, Alex Alumna, was born on 23 May 1903 in Dublin, where she grew up until she went to Paris to finish school. She was an actress, manager, director and producer, meeting and working with many well-known people in the film and theatre industry, such as W.B. Yeats and Marcel Marceau. Richards’ career in drama began when she was asked at short notice to replace an actress in a production of ‘Juno and the Paycock’, and went on to play notable roles as the lead in W.B. Yeats’ play ‘The Player Queen’, Nora Clithero in a 1926 production of ‘The Plough and the Stars’ and a role in Molly Keane’s ‘Spring Meeting’, which ultimately brought her to Broadway in New York. In 1926, Richards began directing alongside her acting career, and eventually took over the Abbey School of Acting. She ran her own theatre company at the Olympia Theatre as well as touring the United States with the Abbey Players in 1932. Richards produced the play ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ in Edinburgh together with Siobhan McKenna, and went on to be one of the first producers on RTÉ when it launched in 1961. Richards passed away at the age of 81 in January of 1985. Our Richards prefects are Emily and Grace.
Chinese New Year Celebrations
The boarding community had an incredibly fabulous night this month celebrating the Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is an important event in Chinese culture and is celebrated worldwide, embracing Chinese culture and sharing joy with those who celebrate. The vibrant colours of the decorations, the delicious food, and the cultural narratives that we have heard from our Chinese students are all details that have contributed to enhancing the spirit of unity. We have witnessed cultures blending in a heartwarming sight, enriching our pride in this diverse community.
House Cup Standings
Keep up the good work, everyone!
January Birthdays
We are very excited to wish every boarder who was born in January a happy birthday. The Res staff and prefects wish a successful year full of joy, exploration and learning to Lola, Ana Rosa, Shengyi, Grace, Lena, Joelin, Emily, Anna, Sara-Jane, Alvina, Catherine, Caragh and Cathy!
Funderland
Every year, the girls get to go to Funderland, which comes to Dublin every January. The girls enjoyed rides from relaxed ferris wheels and carousels to thrilling spinners and drop towers, as well as the indoor arcade, where they tried their hand at winning prizes. Funderland also offers food stands such as Eddie Rocket’s, donuts, churros, coffee, and many more. The annual Funderland trip is a true staple of boarding tradition.
Dublin Wax Museum
This month, we took the boarders out to the Dublin Wax Museum, which was set up in 1804 by Madame Tussaud and has become one of Dublin’s most popular attractions. With individual areas dedicated to Irish history, horror, enchanted forest, and Irish writers, the museum has something for everyone. Some of the many terrifically realistic statues the museum houses include Oscar Wilde, Dracula, Cú Chulainn, Father Ted, Albert Einstein, and national treasures Jedward.
Moana 2 Cinema Trip
The girls had the entire theatre to themselves when they went to Dundrum Cinema to see ‘Moana 2’, a sequel to the popular 2016 Disney Princess film ‘Moana’, providing a chance for the girls to go outside for a fun activity, while still staying safe during the nationwide Storm Éowyn. The film allowed the boarders to experience a blend of classic Walt Disney magic and exemplary songwriting by female composer-songwriter duo, Barlow & Bear.