Blue Star Programme: 
In Athleague National School, pupils in 5th and 6th class have participated in the Blue Star Programme for the last three consecutive years and are participating in the programme again this year.
All about the programme:
This will require us to learn about the EU, including about its foundation and development, the member countries and their culture and how the institution operates.
The Blue Star Programme is an education initiative for primary school pupils across Ireland. The idea of the Programme is simple: to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it affects the lives of Irish citizens among primary pupils through classroom projects and activities.
Pupils of all ages, from primary schools all over Ireland, are challenged to get creative and think about Europe by carrying out projects in relation to four key elements: the history, geography, culture and creativity, and Institutions of the EU.
The Blue Star Programme aims to introduce participants (pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community) to the EU, what it means and how it works. The Programme also aims to foster a strong sense of awareness of the EU among its participants that reaches far beyond the school walls and out into the wider community.
The Blue Star Programme is a venture of the Communicating Europe Initiative, supported by the Office of the Minister of State for European Affairs, Data Protection and the EU Digital Single Market in the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Education and Skills, the European Commission Representation in Ireland and the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland.
May 2026:
Well done to 5th and 6th class who completed their Bluestar programme for this year. Children were assigned a EU country which they had to research and create a project on, focusing on culture, history and and geography. They also learning about the EU and its institutions. Their projects also included learning about the cuisine of their country. It all culminated with the children brining in a dish that they prepared showcasing their respective country’s cuisine. We also received a visit from Ciaran Mullooly MEP who told the children all about his role as a representative in the European Parliament.
