St. Joseph's NS, Dundalk named School of the Year at the Our World Awards 2026

St. Joseph’s National School in Dundalk has been named School of the Year at the 2026 Our World Awards National Finals. Primary school pupils from across Ireland were recognised at the ceremony in University College Dublin for projects tackling global challenges.

Our World Awards is Irish Aid’s primary school awards programme to recognise young people who are engaging with global challenges and turning their ideas into creative, practical action.

Pupils from counties Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Tipperary and Wicklow were honoured for projects addressing issues such as climate change, poverty, sustainability and global equality.

St. Joseph’s National School received the top award for a whole school project that brought environmental responsibility to life through a striking, pupil-led installation.

At the centre of the project was a large-scale visual display at the school entrance, contrasting two futures: a ‘Dead World’ shaped by environmental neglect, and a ‘Living World’ built through sustainable choices. Developed by pupils across all classes, the project combined art, music, drama and outdoor learning, and was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Through the project, pupils explored how everyday actions, from how we use resources to how we care for our environment, can have a lasting global impact. Judges praised the work for its clarity, ambition and its ability to turn complex global issues into something immediate and tangible.

Minister of State Neale Richmond, who presented the awards, said:

It’s incredibly encouraging to see the level of thought, creativity and empathy shown by pupils across Ireland. These awards are not just about understanding global issues, they’re about taking action. The pupils recognised today are showing that even at a young age, people can play a meaningful role in building a more sustainable and fair world.

The quality of projects this year reflects a growing awareness among young people of the challenges facing our world, and a willingness to engage with them in a thoughtful and practical way.

Category winners at the 2026 Our World Awards National Finals include:

• Scoil Bernadette, Cork
• Togher Boys N.S. Cork
• Inver N.S., Donegal
• Balbriggan Educate Together N.S., Dublin
• Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe, Dublin
• Scoil Mhuire, Mount Sackville, Dublin
• Kilcooley N.S., Galway
• Scoil Mhuire, Corr na Móna, Galway
• Mercy Convent Primary School, Kildare
• Limerick City Educate Together N.S., Limerick
• Dunboyne Senior Primary School, Meath
• St. John the Baptist Girls N.S., Tipperary
• Wicklow Educate Together N.S., Wicklow
• St. Patrick’s N.S, Curtlestown, Wicklow

All photographs are courtesy of Robbie Reynolds.