Forget the Oscars! Here are the Real Awards! National Awards News

Teachers from all corners of Ireland will swap the tracksuit and rain gear for the glamour n’ glitz of Awards Night on Friday March 11th as the Coiste Náisiúnta of Cumann na mBunscol takes the opportunity to recognise the work of teachers throughout the country (and beyond!) involved in the promotion of Gaelic Games in primary schools. The awards, sponsored by Cornmarket Financial Group Services, cover a wide range of categories.

‘We are looking forward to a memorable night,’ according to Cathaoirleach Bernadette Ryan, ‘if the success of the 2015 Awards is anything to go by. Last year we decided to hold the Awards Banquet on the night before the AGM and the reaction has been extremely positive. All units of the organisation are represented and it is an opportunity to celebrate excellence.’

This year’s Awards ceremony will take place in the Oriel House Hotel in Ballincollig, Co. Cork and delegates will travel to the Rebel County from all corners of the country.

Although most of the Award winners will be announced on the night, one is known already. Paddy Keane from Duagh, Co.Kerry is a popular winner of the Pat Trainor Award for Lifetime Contribution to Cumann na mBunscol. Paddy’s work at local and provincial level spans three decades. As a proud son of Duagh, Paddy was delighted to see his former pupil Anthony Maher named at midfield on the 2015 All-Star

selection. This Award was introduced to honour the memory of the late Pat Trainor, who was a former officer of An Coiste Náisiúnta.

The School of the Year Awards are justifiably coveted. Schools large and small are catered for as there is a category for Schools of Under 150 pupils and a category for Schools of more than 150 pupils. While the staffs of the successful schools will enjoy the limelight on Awards night, the children from both schools will be guests of GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail in Croke Park in April with a tour of Croke Park and the GAA Museum as part of their prize.

INTO will be represented on the night by President Emma Dinneen, a long-time activist in Sciath na Scol in Cork, Vice President Rosena Jordan and Executive member John Boyle. Emer Conroy of Cornmarket Financial Group Services will represent the sponsors of the awards.

Don't forget Wicklow are up for 2 awards, with Kilcoole Primary School having already won School of the Year, we've also been nominated in the Public Relations Category!