Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan students reach two National Finals

Students from Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan in Dundalk are celebrating an outstanding achievement after reaching the National Finals in both Drama and Enterprise competitions this term.

For the first time, the school entered the Féile Scoil Dramaíochta Dhún Dealgan with all 1st and 2nd Year students involved. The play, written by Múinteoir Máire with ideas from the students, received special recognition at Féile Dhún Dealgan with a prize for the newly written script.

The play explores the issue of people being too engrossed by their mobile phones. Teenagers accidentally bring Setanta back to life after discovering an Ogham stone message, leading to a dramatic encounter with Morrigan, the Celtic goddess of war.

Their success brought them to the Leinster Final and they are now among the final 12 schools from Leinster competing in the Féile Náisiúnta 2026 in Mullingar this April.

Meanwhile, the school’s Business Studies classes also achieved success through the Student Enterprise Programme, developing Brioscaí Berto’s, Milseog Milse and Quapairí. Quapairí won Best Business in the Intermediate Category and will represent the school at the National Enterprise Finals in Mullingar this May.

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“We have seen the students’ creativity and confidence grow because of the many extracurricular experiences they have been involved in. This is an amazing achievement and a testament to the hardworking students and teachers we have in Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan,” said Príomhoide Tánaisteach Caoimhe.

Gaelcholáiste Dhún Dealgan, situated on the Ramparts, opened in 2023 and currently caters for First to Third Year students, with Transition Year starting in September 2026. As the only Irish-medium secondary school within a 60-kilometre radius, it offers families in Dundalk and the surrounding areas a co-educational, multi-denominational Irish-medium education.

There are places available in all year groups, including the new Transition Year programme, where students can immerse themselves in Irish while enjoying a wide range of educational, cultural and extracurricular experiences. Families interested in joining the school are encouraged to contact the school for more information.

The school community says it is extremely proud of the students’ achievements and wishes them the very best in the National Finals.