Bright sparks from Limerick schools take home top prizes in national competition

TWO LIMERICK schools have won top prizes at a national awards ceremony, which celebrates community contribution and excellence in education.

Coláiste Iósaef in Kilmallock and Coláiste Nano Nagle, in Sexton Street, Limerick, were announced as the winners of the Junior Small Group Environmental Prize and the Senior Small Group Social Prize at the 2025 AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards.

Both won €1,250 for their school.

Students of Climate Action at Coláiste Iósaef created Wild Ireland, a card game to teach people about Irish native wildlife in a fun way.

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Speaking about their win, Brian Kelleher, teacher at Colaiste Iosaef, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic, it’s great achievement for the students who have put so much hard work into this and they’ve learned so much along the way.

“The money will go back into support the Climate Action One activities, for example, beach restorations.”
Coláiste Nano Nagle’s project, SettleEase, is a mobile application designed to support immigrants in overcoming the challenges of settling in a new country.

Speaking about their win, Samantha Prior, teacher at Coláiste Nano Nagle, said: “It’s amazing, our two students, Sarah and Daniella, have put amazing work into their immigration app so we are delighted that we’ve won!

“The prize money will help the girls develop the app further and help new students who are coming into our community.”

The AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards ceremony took place in Croke Park , having received 124 submissions from schools across the country. The event was hosted by digital creator, presenter, and teacher John Sharpson.