Mayo school becomes the first school to earn prestigious honour

Crossmolina is making headlines once again — this time in the world of creativity and innovation! 

Following on from the Deel Rovers' All-Ireland Club win in January, their very own Crossmolina Board Game has now claimed a National Innovation Award, bringing yet another All-Ireland title home to their beautiful community.

Developed as a fundraiser for Crossmolina National School, this one-of-a-kind board game — with every single square designed by their talented students — has now received national recognition for its creativity, originality, fun, intergenerational appeal, and problem-solving focus.

This prestigious honour was awarded by DCU Age Friendly University, which typically recognises innovation at the Transition Year level. But after seeing the game in action, DCU was so impressed they introduced a brand-new Primary School Innovation Category — making Crossmolina National School the first in Ireland ever to receive this award!

And what a celebration it was — on Wednesday last, a group of their enthusiastic students, teachers, and parents travelled to Dublin City University to proudly accept the award at the DCU Intergenerational Awards Ceremony. The event, held on May 7th at the DCU Glasnevin Campus, saw Crossmolina National School shine on a national stage, applauded for the game’s outstanding ability to connect generations through shared play.

Caroline Kennedy, Principal of Crossmolina National School: "We are beyond proud of our pupils. Their creativity, teamwork, and commitment to this project have truly set them apart. To be the first primary school in Ireland to win this innovation award is not only historic, it’s a testament to what young minds can achieve when given the opportunity to shine."

Representatives from DCU Age Friendly University and Hasbro — the global leader in board game manufacturing — were so captivated by the project that they purchased the final two copies of the game on the spot. In a generous gesture, Hasbro also gifted the school a set of games to keep the intergenerational fun going!

Eithne Cosgrove, Parent and Member of the Board of Management: "The idea for the board game came from wanting to create something meaningful incorporating our Community that could bring families together while also supporting our school — and seeing it come to life through the children’s imagination has been nothing short of magical. To now have national recognition for that effort is incredibly humbling. This award belongs to every child who drew, designed, and dreamed it into existence."

To mark the occasion, a short video is being produced to highlight the creativity and effort behind the project, showcasing their students, teachers, and the community who brought the game to life — all while emphasising its role in bringing families, particularly grandparents and grandchildren, closer together.

Aileen Flannery Hazell, Chairperson of the Parents Association: "This project brought our entire school community together — parents, children, teachers, and grandparents. It was more than a fundraiser; it became a celebration of connection across generations. Watching our children receive this award at DCU was a moment of pure pride and joy for all of us."