Dungloe students win Bronze Award at Young Social Innovators awards

A group of Transition Year students from Pobalscoil Na Rosann in Dungloe won the Bronze Award at the 2025 Young Social Innovators (YSI) Awards in the Aviva Stadium.

The group won for their project ‘Tick Tack Go’ which aimed to raise awareness about ticks and Lyme disease. 

For the project, the group made and handed out Tick Removal Kits with tweezers, tick removers, plasters, antiseptic wipes, and clear instructions on how to safely remove a tick. They also ran school lessons, launched a social media campaign, gave presentations, and spoke on Highland Radio to spread the message further.

In presenting the award, a spokesperson from YSI commented: “This team tackled the lack of awareness surrounding Lyme disease and the dangers of tick bites by combining education with practical prevention tools… Looking ahead, they plan to expand kit distribution, work with councils to install educational signage and continue building national awareness to help reduce Lyme disease cases across Ireland.

“Congratulations to Rosses Community School, winners of the Bronze Award at this year’s YSI Awards, for their impactful project Tick Tack Go… A smart, practical response to a growing health issue.”

Pobalscoil Na Rosann released a statement congratulating the group, saying: “Wonderful news coming from the Aviva today! Our YSI team have won Bronze at the annual Young Social Innovators Showcase. What an achievement. Congratulations to you all, and well done on all of your hard work. Congratulations also to Ms. O’Hart for guiding and facilitating the project.”

Additionally, schoolteacher Ms. O’Hart also won a special Recognition Award at the event for her ten years of service as a YSI teacher.

The school extended their congratulations to Ms. O’Hart, saying :“Congratulations to Ms. Eilise O’Hart on receiving a well-deserved Recognition Award for her outstanding ten years of service as a Young Social Innovators (YSI) teacher. 

“Her dedication, passion, and unwavering support have empowered countless students to become changemakers in their communities. This special honour, presented at the YSI Showcase in Dublin on May 13, is a fitting tribute to the incredible impact she has made through her inspiring leadership and commitment to social innovation. Well done, Ms. O’Hart!”

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Tick Tack Go thanked Emerald Airlines, Donegal Airport, Pobalscoil Na Rossann, and everyone who helped them make the project a success.