Book Character Dress-Up Day, held for the first time in Clongowes on Wednesday 7th November was an enormous success thanks to the combined efforts of the James Joyce Library and the House Leaders. Each house was allocated a fictional character and the students were encouraged to impersonate him. Their creative expressions left us in no doubt that we were in the presence of James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, Willy Wonka, The Godfather and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas amongst others.
A number of staff participated adding to the novelty of the event. Mr Denis Gibbons was a dashing James Bond while Ms Patricia Frampton rebelled (and excelled) as Katnis Everdeen from The Hunger Games. James Joyce portrayed by Mr Declan O’Keeffe had an uncomfortable reunion with his nemesis from A Portrait of the Artist as A Young Man, Fr Dolan, played with uncanny accuracy by Fr Michael Sheil, who was equipped with a fully operational pandy bat…
There was an excited chatter as characters and costumes were discussed at morning assembly and later in the classrooms, where a genuine exchange of knowledge occurred in a fun environment as both staff and students discovered new characters and novels. Great characters, James Adams and Mick Johnson of The Recruit and Gym Candy respectively were revealed to staff while Pip and Miss Havisham introduced the classic Great Expectations to younger students. Pip made sure to keep well clear of Miss Havisham, played with great élan by School Librarian and organiser in chief, Ms Jane O’Loughlin.
There was also a charity dimension to the event with each student asked to donate €1 to the Duck Push collection for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. Many thanks to all students and staff, who participated, in particular to the House Leaders for helping in the organisation and to parents for their interest and support.
