Louth students on ‘Look Into Law’ programme

THE Bar of Ireland’s annual ‘Look into Law’ TY Programme for Transition Year students will include two Louth schools.

Now in its sixth year, the programme usually has a maximum of 100 participants who attend a weeklong of activities in Dublin but this year, because of the COVID-19 travel and social distancing restrictions, it will be run entirely online and over the course of five weeks.

The virtual and accessible nature of programme has meant that this year will see a significant increase in participants, with some 10,000 students registered to participate from 320 schools across 26 counties in Ireland. Over 50 of schools participating are DEIS schools. Louth schools are well-represented on the Programme, with 14 schools and 658 students taking part. Of these, two are DEIS schools.

Each week a new pre-recorded module will be shared with teachers and students. These will begin with an introductory ‘Faces of the Bar’, where a selection of barristers will share their career highlights and experience with students, along with talks delivered by the judiciary, the Prison Service, and other justice agencies.

The range of topics covered include: Criminal Law, Civil Law, The media in the legal context, Preparing for trial

Opening the Programme will be Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Ms Maura McNally SC, who is the first woman to hold the position in four decades.

Ahead of the Programme commencing she said: “The core aim of our Look into Law Programme is that students understand the mechanics of law, but also to experience the human face and realities of those working in the field. The Programme is always oversubscribed so while we are sorry to not be in a position to welcome the students to Dublin like we usually do, the silver lining of the situation is that we are able to reach more students with our online version. We are looking forward to virtually welcoming our students from Louth, who are always superb participants of the Programme. The five modules provide students with a real sense of the Irish legal landscape and hopefully inspire some students to pursue a career at the Bar.”

Teachers and students will receive at least two hours of module material each Monday morning comprising recoded webcasts, external links, quizzes and exercise and research material. The Programme is hosted on a secure platform by The Bar of Ireland and there are options for students to work on creative and research projects during the Programme.

Ahead of launching the TY Programme, The Bar of Ireland surveyed thousands of participating students on their views and opinions on varying areas such as education, freedom of movement and how Covid has impacted on them. The findings from the survey will be revealed during The Bar of Ireland’s Justice Week 2021 which runs from March 1 to 5, with a focus on the impact that COVID-19 has had on citizens’ rights and the administration of justice.

LOUTH Libraries invite the public to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge with storyteller Roisin Murphy as she delves into much loved Irish stories that have been passed down though the generation. This bi-lingual event takes place at 12 noon on Wednesdays March 3rd, 10th and 17th on Louth County Libraries’ Facebook page.

The library is hosting a Mindful Parenting Zoom workshop with children’s therapist Louise Shanagher at 6pm on Monday March. The free workshop will guide parents in bringing more peace, calm and compassion to their parenting and family life. Numbers are limited so booking is essential. Email libraryhelpdesk@louthcoco.ie for further information.