Irish rugby icon pays visit to Mayo school

There was great excitement in St Peter’s N.S, Snugboro today as they welcomed former Irish rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan for a very special whole-school visit.

Best known for his hugely successful rugby career with Munster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions, Donncha has since become a familiar name on television and radio, as well as an author and coach on RTÉ’s Ireland’s Fittest Family. He joined us to promote the latest book in his hugely entertaining children’s Disaster Dad series.

Following a whole school assembly led by Principal Mr Shaughnessy, Donncha spoke to the pupils about his life and career, read from Disaster Dad and answered plenty of questions from an enthusiastic audience.

Then it was time to put everyone through their paces! Pupils from across the school took on a range of challenges against Donncha, including balancing, burpees, wall sits, planks, grip challenges, “Sally Up” and press-ups. There was plenty of competition, lots of cheering and even more laughter as Donncha got stuck into the challenges and was put through his paces by our pupils.

A huge thank you to Donncha for his time, enthusiasm and good humour – a fantastic morning that the pupils will be talking about for a long time to come!