Birr school awarded for Creative Cluster Programme at Garda Youth Awards

Birr's St Brendan’s Community School has been awarded for its Creative Cluster Programme at Garda Youth Awards recently.

The school was among ten Offaly winners to be recognised at the ceremony, which took place recently at The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, and honoured young people from the Laois/Offaly Garda Division by presenting them with a Garda Youth Award in the company of their family and peers.

A Garda Youth Award recognises the outstanding achievement of young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years who have undertaken exceptional work in their local communities or who have shown great determination in their own lives.

The stories of the winners on the night were emotional, inspiring and remarkable. They served to demonstrate the strength of character which our young people possess and leaves us in no doubt that our future is in safe hands.

An Garda Síochána has said it is delighted to award these young people for their outstanding achievements and their contribution to their local communities. Recipients were honoured with nineteen prestigious awards in three categories.

The Creative Cluster Programme at St Brendan's Community School in Birr took home a Group Award for creating a bridge to heritage, as students researched Birr’s Georgian past and transformed that learning into highly detailed crafted clay models and drawings of the town’s historic doorways.

The project’s strength lies in its inclusion, bringing people together from different backgrounds.

Their pride in celebrating Birr’s heritage, respect for local culture and willingness to support one another sets a strong example for their peers.