Tipperary pupils shine in Our World Awards with creativity and action

Six Tipperary primary schools have made their mark in the 2025 Our World Awards as Irish Aid proudly celebrates 20 years of the national awards programme. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s flagship programme with primary schools which, over its lifetime, has seen thousands of young people become inspired to engage with global issues and take action for a fairer, more sustainable world.

This year, Tipperary primary schools were encouraged to learn about the lives of children and their families in Mozambique, Somalia, and The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, also known as Laos, focusing on how Ireland and 192 other countries are working together to create a better future for all through support for the 17 UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

READ MORE: PROPERTY: Price on application intrigues as this fabulous Tipperary home hits the market!

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD expressed his delight at the number of schools taking part in this year’s awards.

“This year saw an impressive rise in the number of entries for the Our World Awards. This response highlights the growing emphasis on Global Citizenship Education in our primary schools, which is very encouraging.

“The Our World Awards challenges children, as global citizens, to put the spotlight on world issues. It encourages pupils to learn about Ireland’s international development programme, Irish Aid which aims to fight world hunger and poverty on behalf of all the people of Ireland.

“International development has a positive impact on the lives of people who are trying to survive hunger, poverty, inequality, climate crises, natural disasters, political instability and conflict. This is why the Our World Awards are so important, to increase awareness of global issues in schools and highlight how we all have a part to play in helping to make the world a better place, by sparking creativity and critical thinking and building empathy, awareness, and a sense of global responsibility.”

Six primary schools from County Tipperary submitted entries to this year’s Our World Awards from Irish Aid, showcasing an incredible range of creativity, teamwork, and commitment to global citizenship. The schools were: Ballydrehid NS; Grange NS, Clonmel; Killurney NS, Clonmel; Lissenhall NS, Nenagh; Scoil San Isadóir, Boherlahan; and St Mary’s PS, Nenagh.

Competition is expected to be fierce this year, with all entries from the county described as very strong.

READ MORE: Over €160,000 in grants awarded to numerous Tipperary facilities

St Mary’s NS, Nenagh—a previous winner of the Our World Awards—focused their project on the global issue of fast fashion. The 6th class pupils explored what they could do in their school and community to raise awareness and reduce reliance on fast fashion. Their efforts included a slow fashion show in school and a display of their creative work in charity shop windows around Nenagh—a powerful example of taking action locally on global issues.

Scoil San Isadóir, Boherlahan was incredibly busy this year, producing films and news reports with strong messages around themes such as "There Is No Planet B" and "Life Below Water". Their hard work and dedication are a real credit to the school.

In Lissenhall NS, pupils took a wonderfully imaginative approach, creating a full magazine inspired by the Global Goals. It was packed with activities, original superheroes, and thoughtful reflections—an amazing project from start to finish!

Clonmel was very well represented this year with two schools participating. Grange NS created an action-packed magazine titled "For a Better World", featuring drawings, quizzes, QR codes, and more—an incredible credit to the 5th class pupils. Meanwhile, Killurney NS produced an informative and creative video on food sustainability and protecting the future, presented by the pupils themselves.

Ballydrehid NS also made a big impression with their entry, which included a self-composed rap titled "Everything is Better" and a beautiful 3D fabric artwork titled "We Can Make a Better World". Their creative talents and teamwork were clear to see.

Open to primary school pupils from 3rd to 6th class across the country, the Our World Awards encourages children to explore important global themes such as climate action, equality and international development, while reflecting on Ireland’s role in creating positive change.

Schools were provided with a suite of specially created cross-curriculum teaching and learning materials to make participating as easy and as enjoyable as possible for both teachers and their pupils. These materials included a colourful pupil magazine packed with information, quizzes and questions; lesson plans, activity sheets and online games, all of which were available in English and as Gaeilge, in print and digital format.

Judging is now underway and shortlisted schools will be invited to the National Final taking place at the Printworks, Dublin Castle on Friday 30th May 2025 where their entries will be celebrated and the Our World Awards School of the Year, 2025 will be announced.