Scoil Mhuire Buncrana students light up the stage in heart-warming production of Annie

The students of Scoil Mhuire took to the stage last week for a stunning production of Annie, delighting audiences with four consecutive full-house performances.

The show, featuring outstanding talent from across the school, saw Lilymay Tolley shine in the leading role of Annie.

The production team included Producer Bronagh Doherty, Musical Director Maeve Byrne, and Choreographer Liz Curran, a proud past pupil of Scoil Mhuire.

Scoil Mhuire has a long-standing and proud tradition of staging school musicals, and 2025 has proven to be no exception.

Producer Bronagh Doherty praised the cast and crew, noting the dedication and enthusiasm displayed throughout the production process.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our students,” said Bronagh. “They brought such energy and enthusiasm to every rehearsal and performance.”

“Annie is a show full of heart, and our cast truly captured that spirit. The teamwork, dedication, and joy they showed, both on and off stage, made this production something very special.”

Principal Evelyn McLoughlin reflected on the wider value of the experience for students.

“The students who took to the stage have grown in confidence, built new friendships, and developed a deep appreciation for teamwork and creativity. We are especially grateful to our parent community for their unwavering support, from assisting with transport to rehearsals to cheering in the audience each night.”

Ms McLoughlin added: “The musical provided an opportunity for the cast to explore new skills, and our students put their hearts and souls into rehearsals and every night’s performance.”

“At Scoil Mhuire, we place a strong emphasis on the arts, and we have recently introduced a new Leaving Certificate subject, Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies. The musical gave some of these students a chance to work alongside professionals and gain first-hand experience in areas such as sound and lighting.”

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The success of Annie once again highlights Scoil Mhuire’s commitment to nurturing the creative and performing arts, celebrating the exceptional talent and spirit of its students.

“Working on Annie with this group of students has been an absolute pleasure,” said Maeve Byrne, Musical Director.

“They supported one another, listened, learned, and pushed themselves musically. The standard they achieved would rival any school production – their teamwork and dedication were truly inspiring.”