5th year LCVP students visited Martry Mill, the oldest working watermill in Ireland, as part of their LCVP (Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme) coursework. Located between the towns of Navan and Kells, Co. Meath, this historic watermill has been producing stoneground wholemeal flour in the traditional way since 1641.
The visit to Martry Mill proved to be a great cross-curricular outing, touching on subjects including Home Economics, Geography, and Business. The girls experienced the intricate process of transforming raw grain into wholesome wholemeal flour. They gained valuable insights into the economics of milling, understanding the importance of sustainable practices in agriculture and food production. They learned about the machinery and techniques employed in the milling process, appreciating the blend of tradition and modernity that keeps Martry Mill operational to this day.
One of the highlights of the trip was the opportunity for the students to roll up their sleeves and get hands-on with the baking process. Armed with freshly milled wholemeal flour, they enthusiastically crafted their own loaves of bread, putting their culinary skills to the test. A friendly competition was held to determine the best loaf among the budding bakers. Well done to Katie and Niamh who won a kilo of flour each for their amazing loaves!!
Visiting Martry Mill provided the girls with a unique opportunity to witness “theory come to life”. As they left the mill, they carried with them not only freshly baked bread but also a newfound enthusiasm for learning beyond the classroom walls. The visit to Martry Mill will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight of their LCVP class. We look forward to the next section on our coursework, “My Own Place”.