North Belfast pupils take part in special award ceremony for Irish President in Dublin

Ten students and three teachers from Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain, an Irish Medium School on Lancaster Street - named after the famous Belfast social reformer Mary Anne McCracken - were chosen to take part in the event in Dublin after winning a Northern Ireland-wide debating competition in April, organised by international development charity Concern Worldwide and its Global Citizenship Team. 

One of the Belfast pupils, Fíonn McAfee, paid an emotional tear-filled tribute to President Higgins in front of an audience of several hundred people at the Irish Development Education Association’s annual conference. 

Fíonn commended President Higgins for his lifelong commitment to social justice, human rights, and giving a voice to the most vulnerable in society. He spoke passionately about how the President’s words and actions have inspired young people to believe in the power of compassion, equality, and using their voices to create change. 

The Belfast students also had the opportunity to perform a moving rendition of Inis Oírr on the tin whistle and harp before President Higgins received the inaugural award. 

Séamas Ó Donnghaile, Principal of Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain, said: “The children were very excited. It was a big day for us. This is the 25th year of the existence of the school and it has been a long and rocky ride.” 

“I'm extremely proud of the children's accomplishment. They have been walking on air from the day and hour they won the Concern primary school debates. 

“This event allowed them to see that, as Irish citizens, they have a President who acknowledges them. To give the children that visibility, to pay them respect and include them is a powerful message. 

“The President wasn’t just meeting the children; he was meeting the community that created them. These kids come from the second most impoverished area in the six counties. Their accomplishment is a mark of success against the odds. How many 10-year-olds can say, ‘I met the President’ and ‘We played on stage for him?’”

Amelia Deehan, Concern Worldwide’s NI Schools and Debates Officer, said: “We were incredibly proud to see the pupils from Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain not only win our school debates, but then go on to represent their school at such a significant event. Their passion, eloquence and respect for President Higgins and what he represents was moving and inspiring to witness. 

"For these young voices – from a school rooted in a proud community with its own story of resilience – to be part of honouring President Higgins speaks volumes. They are the next generation of leaders and seeing them step confidently onto that stage reminds us why our work in global citizenship education is so important.” 

The Global Voice for Humanity Award was created by the Irish Development Education Association to honour individuals who have used their voice, leadership, and vision to inspire positive change - both within Ireland and globally.

For more information or interviews with the school principal or students, please contact [email protected]