All-Ireland drama win for Mayo school
THE Sacred Heart School, Westport, has emerged as a national leader in school drama following an extraordinary week of success at the All-Ireland Light Entertainment and All-Ireland Schools Drama competitions, both held in the renowned Cork Opera House.
On Monday, two groups from the Sacred Heart School competed in the All-Ireland Light Entertainment competition, representing students from all year groups.
The first performance was an original piece titled Dance Me to the End of Love, a striking combination of contemporary dance and live singing, choreographed by students Maud McCabe and Ella O’Malley. With its elegant movement and powerful emotion, the performance captivated the audience and judges alike.
Later in the competition, a second group presented an energetic and vibrant excerpt from the Broadway classic A Chorus Line, directed and choreographed by Sarah Callaghan. This performance was notable for its inclusion of students from First Year through Sixth Year, showcasing a whole-school collaboration and the depth of talent across the year groups. The group delivered a polished and engaging production, full of character and dynamic choreography.
When the awards were announced that evening, Sacred Heart School was honoured across several categories. Dance Me to the End of Love was awarded third place overall and Best Director. A further Special Performance Award was presented to Emma Ryan for her stunning, moving vocal contribution, highlighting the exceptional musical talent within the group.
On Tuesday, five Transition Year students returned to the Cork Opera House stage to take part in the All-Ireland Schools Drama Competition with their original piece, What If.
The performance, devised and performed entirely by the director and students, offered a thoughtful and impactful exploration of a teenage girl and her thoughts which were performed with poise and confidence. The group was supported by an excellent technical team, with Ella O’Malley and Emma Ryan managing lighting, and Chloe Gill on music and sound.
Although Sacred Heart School was not mentioned during the early phase of the awards ceremony, the school was soon swept up in a wave of national recognition.
Séamas Cafferky was awarded Best Director, followed by Maud McCabe receiving the highly prestigious Best Performer award – a significant honour within the world of Irish school drama. The evening reached a thrilling conclusion when What If was named All-Ireland Champion 2025 and were presented with the magnificent cup.
These achievements mark a major milestone for Sacred Heart School and reflect its growing national reputation for excellence in the performing arts.
The school is now widely regarded as one of Ireland’s top schools for drama, known for original student-devised work, inclusive productions, and a strong culture of collaboration and creativity.
This remarkable success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of staff, mentors, and especially the parents and guardians, who kindly facilitated early morning and evening rehearsals in the lead-up to the competitions. Their commitment played a crucial role in helping students reach their full potential on the national stage.