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CHINESE classes were introduced to St Brendan’s College in Killarney in recent years and as a transition-year student, I feel it is extremely beneficial.

The St Brendan’s College Chinese New Year dinner is an annual event held to support the teaching of Chinese in the school.

The Chinese classes are a unique opportunity to learn the number-one spoken language in the world spoken by approximately 1.051 billion people. Chinese classes can also by availed by people of any age in the evenings for a fee of €50 for 10 classes.

The Chinese New Year celebration on January 31 in The Gleneagle Hotel consisted of dinner of authentic Chinese cuisine, a showcase of Chinese culture including dancing and martial arts performances, followed by a raffle with several spot prizes and hampers supplied by local businesses.

The dignitaries in attendance included the Lord Mayor of Killarney, Councillor Brendan Cronin, the President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce, Paul O’Neill, and the head off the UCC Confucius institute, Mr Yongbin Xia.

The Chinese programme is operated by he Confucius Institute, UCC, and the dinner is organised in aid of this. The programme also gives several students from multiple schools the opportunity to visit China for two weeks and attend classes and experience the culture in Shanghai University at each year. This includes 11 students from St Brendan’s College who will be travelling this Easter.

The Chinese New Year dinner was an incredibly enjoyable evening in aid of a great cause. I would recommend everyone to attend next year.
 

 
Above: Qian Qian Jin, Lihui Zhang, Carol Hickson, Mr Xia, Lisa Galwey and Yaqin Ji enjoying the Chinese New Year celebrations hosted by St Brendan's College in the Gleneagle Hotel.