School’s pumpkin pick of the crop

HALLOW’EEN has come early to a Kerry primary school which is in the running for having one of the biggest pumpkins of the year.

Teachers and pupils at Firies National School started a school garden for the first time this year, with a fine crop of potatoes, carrots and other vegetables, but pride of place has gone to an exceptionally large pumpkin, weighing 4.5 stone.

It was so heavy that some of the 218 pupils had to use a trolley to get it into the school.

The pumpkin was centrepiece, this week, of an annual pyjama party by junior infants during a book fair in the 11-teacher school.

Night-lights glowed inside the pumpkin, and stories were read by the teachers, creating a special kind of atmosphere.

“There’s no doubt the pumpkin is the cause of major excitement within the school.

“We have it on display in the corridor and people are coming in to admire it,” said principal Eileen Brosnan.

Meanwhile, plans are already being laid for another school garden and an even bigger pumpkin next year.