November 2017 The 2017 Jack Henderson medal was awarded to Julian Jimenez Ospina of Clongowes Wood College, taught by Mr Adam Conry (Mr Chris Lumn, School Principal). Julian attained the overall highest mark of Junior Certificate Classical subjects for his performance in the Latin examination. The 2017 Centennial Medal was awarded to Eva Glynn of Loreto College Foxrock, taught by Ms Louise Potter (Ms Bernadette Prendeville, School Principal). Eva attained the overall highest mark of Leaving Certificate Classical subjects for her performance in the Classical Studies examination. A President’s Medal was awarded to Simon Wilson of Gonzaga College, taught by Ms Aryn Penn (Mr Damon McCaul, School Principal). Simon attained the highest mark in the Junior Certificate Ancient Greek examination. A President’s Medal was awarded to Liam Ryan of Gonzaga College, taught by Ms Aryn Penn (Mr Damon McCaul, School Principal). Liam attained the highest mark in the Leaving Certificate Ancient Greek examination. A President’s Medal was awarded to Jill FitzPatrick of Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf, taught by Mr Ian Maguire (Ms Deirdre Gogarty, School Principal). Jill attained the highest mark in the Junior Certificate Classical Studies examination. A President’s Medal was awarded to James Gabriel Thomas Kelly of Blackrock College, taught by Ms Sara Henchy (Mr Alan MacGinty, School Principal). James attained the highest mark in the Leaving Certificate Latin examination. Final proceedings were held in the Staff Common Room where refreshments were served. This opportunity to catch up with friends and partake in lively discussion was enjoyed by all. A huge amount of planning and work was put into organising a very successful and enjoyable occasion which afforded members an opportunity to come together and celebrate their interest in ancient Classics. Congratulations to the organising team for their commitment and attention to detail. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir. Isabella Bolger
CLASSICAL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND
Octavia at the Orchard Yard Its authorship is unknown, and with no record of its ever having been acted in antiquity, Octavia is an unusual and in many ways unique play. The Orchard Yard Players undertook to revive it at our 2017 production, held on October 14th in our new covered amphitheatre, which removes all threats from adverse weather for the future. The drama is set over three days in the year 62 AD, and must have appeared some time after the Great Fire of Rome two years later, since reference is made to Nero’s threat to burn the City in his rage at the citizens’ (represented by the Chorus) support for his first wife Octavia, whom he divorces to marry Poppaea Sabina. As well as the forward reference to the fire, the play recalls Nero’s past crimes, including the murder of his mother Agrippina, whose ghost appears to tell the story. The play was for centuries thought to be the work of the philosopher L. Annaeus Seneca, but almost all modern scholarship denies that claim. Seneca appears in the play in the role of counsellor, attempting to rein in the Emperor’s worst rages and excesses. The unfortunate Octavia finally comes to accept her fate, shipped away from Rome to exile and death. With its strong anti-imperial stance, the play almost certainly was impossible to stage in public in its time, and possibly represents a genre of the Roman republican underground, intended for group reading in private settings. The readers were: Claudia Octavia: Jennifer O’Donoghue; Nero: Patrick Ryan; Poppaea Sabina: Paula Keane; other parts: Anne Murphy & Tom Seaver. Sound effects were provided by Orla Coffey. Patrick J. Ryan
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