Gaelscoil roars to national title with Lion King
A scene from Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc's award-winning production of 'Rí na Leon (The Lion King)'
A CARLOW primary school has claimed the top prize at the national Irish language schools’ drama festival after a stunning production of impressed judges and earned the school the title of best primary school in Ireland.
Students from rang 5 and rang 6 at Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí Thuairisc took to the stage at the GBS Theatre on 2 March as part of the regional heats of the festival, which is run by An tOireachtas and An Cumann Scoildrámaíochta. The festival aims to develop the creative and dramatic skills of young participants through Irish language performance.
Guided by teachers Jill Mhic Roibeard and Clár Uí Néill, the cast had put in months of rehearsals during lunch breaks and after school, which is no small feat given the demands of a musical that has singing and choreography on top of the dramatic performance itself.
Their efforts paid off immediately. The regional performance earned three gradam (awards for excellence) from the adjudicator and the school qualified for the Leinster finals in Mullingar the following week, alongside the Gaelcholáiste, whose production also featured many students who had first found their footing on stage through the Gaelscoil.
In Mullingar, competing against 31 dramas performed by both primary and secondary schools from across Leinster, the Gaelscoil pupils claimed scothléiriú na féile or overall best performance of the Leinster finals across all categories.
From there, it was on to the national stage. The finals, held over the course of a week to accommodate regional winners from across Ireland, brought an anxious wait for cast members, teachers and supporters before the results were announced. When the news came through, the school had done it â overall best primary school in Ireland.
Scoring a remarkable 96 out of 100 across the categories of acting, music and drama, production and choreography and overall effect, the production drew glowing praise from the adjudicators.
Judges described it as “an excellent production with a high standard of acting, music, dancing and movement”, singling out everything from the “beautiful, dramatic and vibrant” opening to the “strong and dramatic” final scene.
Special commendation went to the costumes, set, lighting and props, with judges noting the visible effort that had gone into staging the show. Scene changes, dramatic devices, including the creation of a river, and the appearance of Mufasa’s ghost were all highlighted as particular standouts.
One pupil received individual recognition. Aoibhín Nic Conmara, who played Rafiki the mandrill, was awarded the title of overall best female actor. The wider cast was also praised for their acting, solo and group singing and sustained performances throughout.
The achievement is the latest in a strong track record for the school, whose previous productions have collected awards locally and nationally, including the 2025 national overall award for outstanding production for their staging of .
Speaking about the win, principal Ruth Ní Chearbhalláin paid tribute to the teachers and pupils for their hard work, dedication, commitment and success.
