merrion street

Minister for European Affairs, Mr. Dara Murphy, T.D., today (Monday 23rd November) launched the Blue Star programme for primary schools for the 2015-2016 school year in Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil, Glanmire, Cork. Minister Murphy presented the Blue Star award to the pupils and teachers of the school after they took part in the programme last year. The school is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary.
The objective of the Blue Star programme, now in its fifth year, is to foster better understanding and knowledge, among Irish primary pupils, of Europe and how the European Union affects our lives. The programme is currently accepting registrations for 2015-2016, further information on which is available at http://www.bluestarprogramme.ie/register/
Speaking at the launch, Minister Murphy said:
“I’m delighted to present the Blue Star award to the pupils and teachers of Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil in Glanmire today to mark the school’s tenth anniversary. I had the pleasure of visiting the school to launch Blue Star last year when the pupils were about to embark on the programme. It’s great to be back today to see first-hand all the work that the pupils have done in the meantime, to chat to them about Europe, and to present the Blue Star award. Congratulations to the pupils and teachers on their achievement in this special year for the school.”
“I know that, like in all of the other schools around Ireland taking part in the programme, teachers and pupils have found that it is a really worthwhile initiative. Since it began in 2011, hundreds of schools throughout Ireland have participated in the programme, with the involvement of thousands of pupils. Each year we get more and more schools taking part.”
“It is great to see so many young citizens participating in the Blue Star programme and learning about Europe, what it means to be part of the European Union, and what the EU has to offer. I hope that participation in the Blue Star programme is the beginning of a sustained interest in learning all about the EU and Ireland's membership of it. Through Blue Star and other programmes such as the EU Jobs initiative, we are aiming to ensure that Ireland and Irish people are engaged on European issues and connected into the EU at all levels.”

Note to Editors 

1. The Blue Star programme is a fact-based education initiative for primary school pupils across Ireland. Schools carry out projects and activities on the history, geography and cultural diversity of Europe, and on the development of the European Union, what it does, and how its work affects the lives of citizens.

2. The Blue Star Programme is a venture of the Communicating Europe Initiative, supported by the Office of the Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection in the Department of the Taoiseach, the European Commission Representation in Ireland, the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland, and the Department of Education and Skills. The Programme is managed by European Movement Ireland.

3. For further information see: http://www.bluestarprogramme.ie/

4. Photos from the event will issue separately to photodesks.