Donegal school's inclusive café helps scoop national prize at Croke Park
St Bernadette's was recognised for its Social Senior Small Group project Caife Le Cheile, a collaborative initiative designed to dismantle social barriers by creating an inclusive school café and providing vital professional training
St Bernadette's Special School in Letterkenny are celebrating being named as the overall winner at the AIB Student Impact Awards 2026.
In the hotly contested AIB Future Sparks School Impact awards, St Bernadette's was recognised for their Social Senior Small Group project Caife Le Cheile, a collaborative initiative designed to dismantle social barriers by creating an inclusive school café and providing vital professional training.
The project centred on a six-week immersive programme where students took full ownership of café operations. This included hospitality training, business management, and gaining formal HACCP food safety and barista certifications.
Teacher Nichola Haran, who led the project with colleague Margaret Greene, said about the win: “We are absolutely delighted for our students today. Winning an award for it just showcases all the great work that they have done in the café.”
Both prestigious ceremonies - the AIB Student Impact Awards 2026 brought to you by AMLÉ, and the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards - were held on the same day at the home of Gaelic Games, Dublin’s iconic Croke Park, with separate events dedicated to post-primary and third-level.
“We are absolutely delighted for our students today. Winning an award for it just showcases all the great work that they have done in the café.”
In the national competition, the Letterkenny changemaker was spotlighted in the AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards, underscoring AIB’s deep commitment to nurturing talent and initiative.
This year, the Competition had a huge increase in the number of schools registering their interest in the Awards, with 225 entries received from 144 schools, making the competition stronger than ever.
This important award program powerfully demonstrates AIB’s long-term commitment to empowering young people with real-world experience and practical skills in leadership, problem-solving, and financial literacy. It champions projects in important areas such as social impact, sustainability and environment, and financial wellbeing, recognising activities that contribute to the betterment of communities, from promoting welfare and protecting biodiversity, to supporting entrepreneurship and enhancing financial understanding among young people.
Speaking about the awards, Elaine Purcell, CMO, AIB, said: “It was a great honour to celebrate Ireland’s brightest young changemakers in the surroundings of Croke Park. The AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards is a vital platform that underscores AIB's commitment to empowering young people with the real-world skills they need to thrive.
“We believe creativity is essential to imagining a better way and building it, allowing this next generation to see opportunity where others see challenge. The innovative solutions and dedication on display today fill us with hope for a more sustainable future for Ireland. We are incredibly proud of every student and school making such a positive and tangible impact.”
The AIB Future Sparks School Impact Awards 2026 mark a significant milestone, demonstrating how young people across all stages of education are making a tangible difference in Ireland today.