St Joseph’s named School of The Year at the Our World Awards 2026
Schools from 10 counties scoop Our World Awards
Fifteen schools across Ireland have been awarded prestigious Our World Awards by Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD.
St. Joseph’s National School, Dundalk received the top award at the National final in 2026 for a whole school project that brought environmental responsibility to life through a striking, pupil-led installation.
Schools from 9 other counties Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Meath, Tipperary and Wicklow were honoured for projects addressing issues such as climate change, poverty, sustainability and global equality.
At the centre of the St Joseph’s 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.