Minister Seán Canney Welcomes Inclusion of Galway East Schools in Creative Youth Programmes
Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, of the 2025 Creative Youth Programme participants.
The announcement includes 429 schools nationwide who will take part in the BLAST Arts in Education Residencies and 43 new Creative Clusters involving 151 schools — with a strong representation from Galway East.
Minister Canney said: “Creativity is key to education, helping young people to develop confidence, empathy and communication skills. I’m especially pleased to see schools across Galway East participating in these initiatives, bringing the arts directly into the classroom.”
A total of nine schools across Galway East have been selected for the 2025 BLAST Arts in Education Residencies, which will see creative practitioners collaborate with teachers and students on unique arts projects. These are:
Carrabane NS, Athenry
St Oliver’s Special School, Tuam
Mercy College, Woodford
Coláiste an Eachréidh, Athenry
Cahergal NS, Tuam
St Joseph’s, Glenamaddy
Clydagh NS, Headford
St Brendan’s BNS, Loughrea
Trinity Primary School (Campus 1), Tuam
In addition, Scoil Mhuire, Fiddaun, Ardrahan has been selected as part of a new Creative Cluster – a programme which supports groups of schools to collaborate on a tailored, arts-focused project over a two-year period.
Minister Canney concluded: “I commend the teachers, school leaders and creative practitioners who make these projects possible. These programmes bring real value to our local communities and I look forward to seeing the creative outcomes in Galway East and across the country.”