Kinsale Community School Honours Excellence at the 2026 Éacht na Scoláirí Awards
On Thursday, 15th October 2026, Kinsale Community School proudly hosted its annual Éacht na Scoláirí Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements, talents and contributions of its students. The event brought together students, families, staff and community members to honour excellence in academics, sport, music, community leadership and innovation.
The evening opened with a performance by the School Trad Band, led by Ms. Bríd Kearney, setting a warm and celebratory tone. Deputy Principal Ms. Kathleen O’Brien, Master of Ceremonies, welcomed guests and guided proceedings.
Sr. Rita Twomey, Chairperson of the Board of Management and a guiding figure in the school’s story since 1996, addressed the audience with heartfelt words on the enduring legacy of Mercy education, locally and globally.
The school was delighted to welcome Mr. John Walshe as guest speaker, a distinguished education journalist, author and former special adviser to Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn. A Galway native and qualified teacher, John served as Education Correspondent and later Education Editor of the Irish Independent, bringing insight and understanding to the issues shaping Irish education. His expertise also informed international education reports through consultancy work with the OECD. Drawing on his extensive experience in journalism and government, documented in his book An Education, John brought a valuable perspective to an evening celebrating students’ achievements and the transformative power of education.
Recognising Student Excellence
The Student of the Year Awards honoured individuals in each year group who exemplified kindness, positivity, leadership, and community spirit:
The First Year Student of the Year Awards were presented by their Year Head, Ms. Elaine Bennett, to Amelie Kay and Ian Soares. The nominees were Megan Austin, David Boyse, Maisie Cahill, Emma Carmody, Onni Coleman, Olwen Reilly Coverdale, Matthew Cottrell, Saoirse Egan, Donnchadh Fahy, Ella Holly, Patryk Hunia, Hannah Jones, Samantha Jones, Amelie Kay, Sean Kelleher, Cillian Martin, Sebastian Medina Gonzalez, Darragh Moloney, Caden Norman, Holly Nyhan, Leah O’Reilly, Tom Rice, Tadhg Sherwood and Ian Soares.
The Second Year Student of the Year Awards were presented by their Year Head, Mr. John Corcoran, to Annie Bowman and Patrick Lynch. The nominees were Ellie Bailey, Annie Bowman, Conor Boyle, Brian Burke, Nicolas Casero, Éabha Condon, Jessica Cunningham, Brooke Dennehy, Cormac Finke, Sean Healy, Shauna Hickey, Finn Hogan, Killian Hawkins, Aidan Kiely, Patrick Lynch, Andrej Malik, Rory McCarthy Phillips, Katelyn Murray, Leah Murray, Aoife O’Callaghan, Leigh O’Regan, Sophie O’Riordan, Sinéad O’Sullivan and Rebecca Whelan.
The Third Year Student of the Year Awards were presented by their Year Head, Ms. Aine McKenna, to Faye Looney and Odhran D’Arcy. The nominees were Isabelle Bertoletti, Caoimhe Browne, Harry Cahill, Emily Carroll, Grace Corkery, Caoimhin Cowhig, Ollie Cronin, Odhran D’Arcy, Emma Dennehy, Ayla Gilli, Meike Jones, Conall Kingston, Sarah Keohane, Faye Looney, Anviya Elza Manoj, Roisin MacCarthy, Jack Mullen, Matthew Mulligan, Connor O’Daltuin, Grace O’Donovan, Caiden Quinlan, Alex Smyth, Xante Van Schalkwyk and Sarah Young.
The Transition Year Student of the Year Award was presented by their Year Head, Ms. Niamh Hay, to Darrell Marewangepo. The nominees were Eli Beare, Emily Bertoletti, Claire Boyle, Izzy Cantillon, Eoin Condon, Fiachra Corrigan, Charlie Cummins, Richard Daly, Ronan Finke, Seren Glavin, Anna Hegarty, Dylan Homan, Grace Kelleher, Claire Linehan, Indira Lythgoe, Aisling Lynch, Darrell Marewangepo, May Minihane, Aine McCarthy, Lily Norman, Maya O’Reilly, Joseph O’Riordan, Grace O’Rourke, Tara Prior and Amelie Zerwes.
The Fifth Year Student of the Year Awards were presented by their Deputy Year Head, Mr. Jamie Torpey, to Scott Vaughan and Hadera Corkery. The nominees were Conor Allen, Martina Casero Lopez, Hadera Corkery, Grainne Crowley, Martha France, Conor Galvin, Sarah Hayes, Sean Hurley, Chloe Lankford, Stephen Linehan, Siog Moynihan, Tim McCarthy, Elle Saoirse Murphy, Phillip Murphy, Miah O’Callaghan, Kate O’Callaghan, Noah O’Brien, Cian O’Driscoll, Sean O’Driscoll, Jessica O’Keefe, Roisin Owens, Edel Ryle, Joshua Smyth and Scott Vaughan.
The Sixth Year Student of the Year Awards were presented by their Year Head, Ms. Laura Ann Dunne, to Janelle Agyemankusi and Jerry O’Riordan. The nominees were Janelle Agyemankusi, Eoin Brown, Laura Casey, PJ Crowe, Cathal Dineen, Eoin Dillon, Oisin Gevart, Emily Grey, Amy Hayes, Alex Kiely, Sam Looney, Harry O’Leary, Jerry O’Riordan, Sarah O’Sullivan, Ronan Humphreys, Clodagh Morgan, Brian Nagle, Holly Murphy, Padraig Murphy, Erin Ridgway, Jessie Rosser, Zoe Thorpe, Gearoid Whelton, Eve Whitehead and Amy Winters.
The Rang Réalta Awards were presented by Ms. Therese McCarthy to Amy Corcoran, Grace Jackson and Daniel O’Mahony, recognising their achievements and contributions to school life.
KCS students and their fellow nominees have set a standard of excellence and character that defines KCS.
Honouring Sporting Achievement
Sport plays a central role in the life of Kinsale Community School, supporting both physical wellbeing and personal growth.
The Junior Sports Awards were presented by Ms. Méabh Murphy to Harry Murphy and Kayleigh Murphy. The nominees were Lucy Carmody, Darragh Cummins, Aine Dinnen, Alex Haughney, Cillian Keane, Lucy Kelleher, Alex Long, Sophie McCarthy, Roisin M. MacCarthy, Harry Murphy, Kayleigh Murphy, Cian Nagle, Caoimhe O’Callaghan, Auralia Pereira, Donal Sheenan, Annebelle Wilson and Shane Winters.
The Senior Sports Awards were presented by Ms. Isobel Sheehan to Aaron Keane and Catherine Murphy. The nominees were Lauren Balaur, Ryan Cusack, Evie Finucane, Cillian Fitzpatrick, David Forde, Chantelle Hennessy Buttimer, Cora Hennessy Buttimer, Aaron Keane, Conor Looney, Catherine Murphy, AJ Nash, Eimear Ní Chearnaigh, Conor Redmond and Erin Ridgway.
The Joe McGrath Memorial Award was presented by Gráinne McGrath and Ms. Sinéad O’Donovan to Eimear Ní Chearnaigh, honouring the memory of Joe McGrath, a deeply respected GAA coach whose passion, commitment and love for Gaelic games left a lasting mark on generations of students. His daughter, Gráinne, joined Ms. O’Donovan on stage to present this award — a tribute to sporting excellence and the values of teamwork, resilience and community spirit Joe embodied.
Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation
STEM education continues to thrive at Kinsale Community School, with awards recognising students’ scientific curiosity, creativity and commitment to discovery.
The Science Award was presented by Dr. Catherine Coughlan to Amy Hayes.
The O’Brien Biotech Award was presented by Frank O’Brien and Ms. Clíona O’Shaugnessy to Seán Bowen.
The Robotics Award was presented by Mr. Eddie Farren to Amelie Zerwes.
The Young Scientist Awards were presented by STEM coordinator, Mr. Shaun Holly to Afric Deasy, Ella Holly, Grace Holland, Cushla O’Reilly, Caoimhe Ní Charragain, Elise O’Sullivan, Miah O’Callaghan, Peter Leahy and Rebecca Whelan.
Matej Ivanovski was presented with the Don O’Shea Memorial Award by Deputy Principal, Ms. Claire Sheehan. This award honours the late Don O’Shea, a gifted teacher and pioneering advocate for the use of technology in education. From 1993 until his passing, Don inspired generations of students through his teaching of Maths, IT, and Science, and through his pioneering work in Chemistry and digital learning. A teacher of extraordinary expertise and kindness, Don’s legacy lives on in the innovative spirit of the school he helped shape. The award, donated by Anne, Caoimhe and Saoirse O’Shea, celebrates a student whose scientific excellence and curiosity reflect Don’s passion for learning.
Humanities, Citizenship and Sustainability
The Historical Society Award was presented by Chairman of the Kinsale Historicial Society, Mr. Padraig Begley and Ms. Maria Kennedy to Eoin Dillon, recognising his deep interest in and commitment to the study of history. The prize, supported by the Kinsale Historical Society, reflects the school’s belief in the importance of understanding the past to shape the future.
The Catherine O’Byrne Memorial Award was presented by Mr. Michael O’Byrne, Catherine's father and Ms. Lisa Hurley to Cal O’Brien, honouring the memory of Catherine O’Byrne, a beloved teacher of German and English who joined Kinsale Community School in 1996. A gifted linguist and a passionate advocate for human rights and debate, Catherine inspired her students to engage critically with the world. Her untimely passing at the age of 32 left a deep mark on the school community. Presented by Catherine’s father, Michael, the award celebrates a student who embodies her spirit of intellectual curiosity, courage and compassion.
The Civic Virtue Award was presented by Nick Grattan, President of Kinsale and District Lions Club, and Chaplain, Mr. Brian Pentony to Emily Bertoletti, recognising her outstanding commitment to volunteering and service within the community. Through her generosity with her time, empathy and leadership, Emily embodies the values of civic responsibility and makes a meaningful difference to the lives of others.
The Sustainability Award was presented by KCS Sustainability Chaplain, Mr. Klaus Harvey to Lia D’Arcy, recognising her dedication to environmental initiatives and championing sustainable practices at KCS.
Music and the Performing Arts
Music is at the heart of Kinsale Community School life, enriching the cultural and creative spirit of the community.
The Contribution to Music Awards were presented by Ms. Bríd Kearney to Lauren Crowley, Eimear Ní Chearnaigh, Sarah Galvin, Cian Collins, Patrick Collins, Diarmuid Warren, Caitlin McNamara, Aoife Ward, Megan Cunningham, Matthew Murphy and David Tobin. Their talent and dedication continue to enrich school occasions and the cultural life of KCS.
The Kilian Ryan Memorial Award was presented by Áine Ryan O’Brien to Christian Crowley. Kilian’s passion for stage lighting, drama and performance played a key role in the success of countless school musicals. His quiet dedication and technical skill inspired students and staff alike. This award honours those who continue his legacy through their creative energy and commitment to the school’s performing arts.
The audience was also treated to a captivating Irish dancing performance by Christian Crowley, a solo World Globe holder and three-time world champion in céilí dancing. As Christian embarks on an exciting international performance career, the KCS community is proud to celebrate his achievements and wishes him continued success on the world stage.
Academic Excellence
The academic awards celebrated outstanding attainment and the sustained effort, determination and intellectual curiosity that underpin success in learning.
The Junior Academic Award was presented by Deputy Principal, Ms. Aine McKenna, to Roisin MacCarthy.
The Senior Academic Awards were presented by Deputy Principal, Ms. Claire Sheehan, to PJ Crowe, Oisin Gevart and Amy Hayes. Students recognised for their Leaving Certificate academic achievements were Sarah Bolger, Rian Boulton, Sean Bowen, Lily Cahill, Edward Callanan, PJ Crowe, Rebecca Deasy, Ciara Kate Deasy, Cillian Fitzpatrick, Oisin Gevart, Amy Hayes, Martin Hickey, Robert Hughes, Daniel Jones, Zsombor Kardkovacs, Conor Looney, Oscar Mueller, Catherine Murphy, Holly Murphy, Brian Nagle, Ruairí O’Daltúin, Cal O’Brien, Cáit O’Higgins, Harry O’Leary and Jerry O’Riordan.
The Leaving Certificate Applied Awards recognised Erin Lyons and Zoe Thorpe for their achievements in the Leaving Certificate Applied programme.
The Principal’s Award was presented by Principal, Mr. Fergal McCarthy, to Joshua Smyth, recognising his achievements and contribution to school life.
A Celebration of Community
Addresses from Guest speaker Mr. John Walshe, Principal Mr. Fergal McCarthy and the Head Boy, Jack O'Leary and Head Girl, Muireann O'Donovan contributed to an evening that celebrated the breadth of talent within KCS. Closing music brought proceedings to a celebratory conclusion, followed by refreshments provided by the Parents Association. Coordinated by Ms. Gemma Cooper, Éacht na Scoláirí was a celebration of achievement, community and the enduring legacies of those who have helped shape Kinsale Community School. Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees, and sincere thanks to the families, staff, sponsors, presenters and Parents Association who supported this special evening.
