cath

work as an s.n.a

[Carlow Weather @CarlowWeather]

It is reported Emily boarded a flight to Paris so please share with any friends and family in France

[The Bridge 1859 @TheBridge1859]

ROAD TO BILBAO…
It’s time for #MatchDaySorted 🥳
📷 Follow & RT for a chance to win:
2x Tickets to Leinster v Toulon match on May 2nd in AVIVA
4x Pints of @Heineken_IE
2x Match Day Burger

Winner announced on Thursday , April 30th!

[cath @catherinetroy]

@thejournal_ie Good for her! Like so many Irish have done over the years travelling to America, Australia plus many more. Hope she enjoys her new life in Ireland.

[The Husky @Mr_Husky1]

“An Open Letter to the Parent Who Invited the Whole Class—Except My Son…

Hi there,

I know we don’t know each other well, but our children are in the same class. Recently, your child handed out birthday invitations to all 22 classmates—except my son, Sawyer.

This wasn’t an oversight. It was a choice.

And I want you to know—we don’t expect to be invited to every birthday party. When Sawyer had his party last year, we kept it small too. We understand that not every child can be included every time. But in this case, you chose to include everyone except him.

And that’s what made it different.

It wasn’t because he’s mean—he’s the happiest little boy you’ll ever meet.
It wasn’t because he isn’t fun—his laughter is contagious.
It wasn’t because your child and mine don’t get along—Sawyer talks about your child often, with excitement and kindness.

The only reason is because my son has Down Syndrome.

I don’t write this in anger. I write it because I believe this is an opportunity—for reflection, for growth, for understanding.

Down Syndrome doesn’t mean you don’t want friends.
It doesn’t mean you don’t have feelings.
It doesn’t mean you don’t love birthday parties.

People with Down Syndrome want the same things we all want—love, connection, belonging. Sometimes it takes a little patience to understand Sawyer’s words, but his laughter, his joy, and his love need no explanation at all.

I’ll admit something honestly—I used to be like you. Before Sawyer, I didn’t understand. I was unsure, maybe even a little uncomfortable, because I didn’t know what to expect.

But Sawyer changed that.

He’s taught me more about joy, resilience, and unconditional love than I ever imagined possible. His siblings have grown up with a deeper sense of empathy and connection because they’ve learned that being different doesn’t mean being less.

Maybe your child didn’t want him there.
Maybe you weren’t sure how to handle it.

But that’s where parenting matters most.

This was a moment—a real, meaningful moment—to teach your child something powerful:
That inclusion matters.
That kindness matters.
That leaving someone out because they’re different is never okay.

It could have been a simple conversation. A small lesson. But one that could shape how your child sees others for the rest of their life.

And I’ll be honest—I’ve reflected on my part too.

I never introduced Sawyer to his class as “a child with Down Syndrome.” I’ve always just seen him as Sawyer. But maybe if I had taken the time to explain, to educate, to open that door for understanding, things might have been different.

So yes, I’m hurt.

But more than that, I’m hopeful.

Because I believe you and I both want the same thing—for our children to grow up feeling loved, accepted, and included. For them to learn compassion. For them to never feel like they don’t belong.

Please know—I’m not here to fight you.
I’m here to talk, if you ever want to.
I’m here to advocate, not just for my son, but for every child who deserves to be seen.

Because every child deserves more than just a seat in the classroom.

They deserve an invitation to belong.”

Jennifer Kiss-Engele

[The Bridge 1859 @TheBridge1859]

It’s time for #MatchDaySorted 🥳
📷 Follow & RT for a chance to win:
2x Tickets to Leinster v Sale match on April 11th in AVIVA

4x Pints of @Heineken_IE
2x Match Day Burger

Winner announced on Friday , April 10th!

[cath @catherinetroy]

@Shauns_Aviation Flight from Bristol also gone to Shannon

[GameReady Football @GamereadyF]

I’m Jamie, and I’m the founder of GameReady Football. It’s been a long road to get here, but we’re ready to change the game for grassroots players and coaches.
Follow along for updates, behind-the-scenes, and plenty of football takes. ⬇️ https://t.co/gfPTFjf4MC

[The Bridge 1859 @TheBridge1859]

It’s time for #MatchDaySorted 🥳
📷 Follow & RT for a chance to win:
2x Tickets to Ireland v Scotland match on March 14th in AVIVA
4x Pints of @Heineken_IE
2x Match Day Burger

Winner announced on Wednesday, March 11th!

[The Bridge 1859 @TheBridge1859]

It’s time for #MatchDaySorted 🥳
📷 Follow & RT for a chance to win:
2x Tickets to Ireland v Wales match on March 6th in AVIVA
4x Pints of @Heineken_IE
2x Match Day Burger

Winner announced on Wednesday, March 4th!

[cath @catherinetroy]

Stop the cull of Special Needs Assistants - Protect Ireland’s Most Vulnerable Pupils - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/gVucl0pcRK via @Change

[The Bridge 1859 @TheBridge1859]

It’s time for #MatchDaySorted 🥳
📷 Follow & RT for a chance to win:
2x Tickets to Ireland v Italy match on February 14th in AVIVA
4x Pints of @Heineken_IE
2x Match Day Burger

Winner announced on Friday, February 13th!

[The Bridge 1859 @TheBridge1859]

It’s time for #MatchDaySorted 🥳
📷 Follow & RT for a chance to win:
2x Tickets to Leinster v La Rochelle match on January 10th in AVIVA
4x Pints of @Heineken_IE
2x Match Day Burger

Winner announced on Thursday, January 8th!

[RTÉ @rte]

Audio Description will be available for the first time on RTÉ, for tonight's Late Late Toy Show.

Live Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation will be available on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player making the magical night more accessible than ever.

https://t.co/NP2Nu73gJO

[Diana Alastair💚🤍💜 ⚢ ❌❌✡️ @sappholives83]

Don’t post pics of your kids online. This is important. When I worked sex crimes, we’d find photos of random kids and info from parents’ Facebook accounts on suspects’ hard drives. Not pornographic material, but still being used as fuel for fantasies. 1/

[Niall O'Loughlin Artist @nialloloughlin]

After Ireland’s incredible win over Hungary today, I had to draw the unbelievable Troy Parrott! Give it a like, share it around and lash the shite out of it! ⚽️🔥
#troyparrott #coybig #ireland

[cath @catherinetroy]

@forsa_union_ie @HFSchoolDeaf1 #SNAAppreciationDay

[RTÉ @rte]

Learn the ISL alphabet with Holy Family School for the Deaf Cabra https://t.co/q0v95bhYOZ
#ISL #IWDF2025

@IrishDeafSoc @studies_centre @ChimeFor

[cath @catherinetroy]

@rte @RTE_Culture @Jenniet27 isn't this Lucy's new obsession

[cath @catherinetroy]

@lindaosull88 @forsa_union_ie

[Holy Family School for the Deaf @HFSchoolDeaf1]

Lunch break out supporting the school secretaries and caretakers strike and especially for our own incredible secretary and caretaker!!

[cath @catherinetroy]

@VirginMediaNews @Jenniet27