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Erin Go Braugh- St. Patty's Day Festivities

Dressed in green shirts, hats, sunglasses and necklaces, students from the Lower School began their St. Patrick’s Day with a parade — complete with bagpipes. Led by Boyd Moore III (father of Ian McNally Moore ’25), who set the pace on his bagpipes and picked up followers along the way, the parade started in the Beginners’ wing, commenced through the Annex and ended in the Searle Library.

Upon arriving at the Searle, students took their seats as Mr. Moore explained his unique nine-note instrument. The children discovered that the bagpipe is a four-reed woodwind instrument that actually originated in the Middle East and eventually made its way to Ireland and Scotland shortly after the Crusades. They also learned that Mr. Moore took lessons on playing the bagpipe at Celtic College. When asked why he wanted to play the bagpipe, he explained that the classes were given to him as a Birthday gift, and that bagpipes are a true testament of his cultural heritage.

Other questions from students and teachers in the audience included: “Why is the bagpipe so big,” to which Mr. Moore replied that the size of the instrument depends on the size of the person playing it; “Why are the pipes so tall,” to which he answered that the pipes give the instrument a distinct tone and sound; and “Why do you wear a kilt,” to which Mr. Moore explained that it not only keeps the player warm, but its colors also represent the clan that the bagpiper comes from.

Following eruptions of contagious laughter as Mr. Moore played the instrument’s nine notes aloud, the children then retreated back to their classrooms until lunch. In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, lunch consisted of a traditional Corn Beef and Cabbage, during which another bagpiper came to play. Mr. John Crilly (father to Kate Crilly ’16, Jack Crilly ’19 and Tara Crilly ’20) took to the Black Box Stage in the Commons as he serenaded the audience with classical Irish tunes. After each song, he also explained its meaning and sang the lyrics aloud so that the children truly understood what the artist felt when writing it.

Although fun and entertaining for children at Ranney, cultural events hosted throughout the school year also serve another purpose — to teach students about the world and people around them.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.