Seán Holt, a student from Ghaelcholáiste Cheatharlach in Carlow was awarded the Gradam Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha, Barr Feabhais sa Ghaeloideachas at the inaugural ETB Excellence Awards

By Elizabeth Lee

The Gradam Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha, Barr Feabhais sa Ghaeloideachas recognises someone who made an exceptional contribution to their ETB community in relation to the Irish Language.

Seán has been a member of the Gaeilge Committee in Ghaelcholáiste Cheatharlach for six years and he directs Irish events in the school, as well as working with the local Irish organization Glór Cheatharlach. Last year, he won the prize for best translation from English to Irish in Leinster in the Aistreoirí Oga competition.

The awards were run by Education and Training Boards Ireland as it celebrated 10 years of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in Ireland.

Kilkenny and Carlow ETB also won the runner-up prize and were the overall winner in the Excellence Award for Respect category. The Building Restorative School Communities initiative, run by Kilkenny and Carlow ETB schools, took first place. The runner-up in this category was Abbey Community College’s Respect Week, run by Abbey Community College of Kilkenny and Carlow ETB.

The awards were presented at a special ceremony in Croke Park which also marked ETB day. Hosted by RTÉ newsreader and former ETB student, Ray Kennedy, the event was attended by representatives from all 16 ETBs across the country.