“Our focus on STEM is part of that daily effort to give our children not only a sense of wonder and awe about STEM, but to give them the aspiration to pursue a career that may allow them to access opportunities and experiences they may otherwise not have been able to grasp.”
– Paddy McCabe, Principal, St. Oliver Plunkett Primary School
Our Work
O’Neill School Grants
Named in memory of a dear friend of Ireland who wholeheartedly believed in supporting Irish education and, more specifically, primary schools – this hallmark program provides critical, targeted funding to schools across Ireland.
Our O’Neill School Grants program was designed with the assistance of the Irish Department of Education to help primary schools in Ireland by donating funds to enhance the literacy, science, and math materials available for young students. The program encourages Irish Americans to go back to their roots, connect with the places of their ancestors, and give something back to the young people who live there today.
Your Impact
St. Oliver Plunkett Primary School – Belfast, Co. Antrim
St. Oliver Plunkett is a large, urban primary school in Belfast, Co. Antrim. 61% of students at St. Oliver Plunkett are entitled to free school meals, which is double the Northern Irish average. Principal Paddy McCabe works tirelessly to ensure that his pupils have every opportunity afforded to their more affluent peers. Given the enormous budget constraints faced by Northern Irish schools, St. Oliver Plunkett has been unable to purchase updated technology. Principal McCabe applied for a Partnership grant of $6,000 to purchase 15 new iPads for St. Oliver Plunkett’s STEM club.
O’Neill School grants have historically been used to purchase literacy, numeracy, and science materials.
Now, they extend to outdoor resources aimed at promoting outdoor play, physical activity and learning, ultimately improving social connectedness and educational outcomes.
Outdoor Play & Learning
Launched in 2022 in honor of our Patron, Irish golfer Padraig Harrington, a new component of the O’Neill School Grant program is our Outdoor Play & Learning initiative. This program provides primary schools with resources to promote outdoor play, physical activity and learning – essential in helping young students’ wellbeing and social-emotional development. Outdoor Play & Learning has been developed in response to the great need identified by principals and teachers to encourage people to get outside, play together safely and offline, particularly in the wake of virtual learning necessitated by COVID-19.
