Cumann na mBunscol School of the Year Award

This year’s National Cornmarket Cumann na mBunscol Awards took place in Mullingar on Friday 8th March. The staff and pupils of Brackloon National School were overjoyed when Brackloon NS was awarded Cumann na mBunscol School of the Year as a result of a project submitted by the 6th Class pupils under the guidance of their teacher, Eimear Philbin.

Brackloon’s 6th Class pupils spent many months collating a record of the school’s participation and promotion of Gaelic games and Irish culture. They compiled a book of 100+ pages documenting the school’s unwavering dedication to the GAA and the important role it plays in both the school and local community. The project includes hundreds of photos, county player interviews, match reports and artwork. Each page showcases the school’s commitment to instilling a lifelong love of our national sports, music and language among its pupils. ‘This project serves as a record of the exceptional year of sporting success that Brackloon experienced last year. I’m extremely proud of our pupils and what they have achieved,’ states 6th Class teacher, Eimear Philbin.

‘This is a huge honour for our school and is fitting recognition of the years of hard work by every teacher to embed a culture of Gaelic games, music, dancing and love of the Irish language in our school community. I would also like to pay tribute to our parent body who fundraised and supported the school in developing the fabulous sports field and running track which was instrumental in facilitating the promotion of our games in the school. A special thank you to Ms. Philbin and her 6th Class pupils who were responsible for putting this fantastic project together and bringing this great honour to our school. I am extremely proud of their great work and achievement,’ commented Brendan Tunney, school principal.

Brackloon NS was the only representative for Connacht in the National Cumann na mBunscol Awards across all of the award categories. It was a wonderful achievement for all involved to be awarded the title of School of the Year.