Last week, the Léargas PEACEPLUS ASPIRE team joined an inspiring shared‑education session with the mixed‑ethos partnership of Glebe National School and Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala in Donegal Town. We were delighted to be joined by Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children, and Anna Gallagher, Mayor of Donegal Town.
During the visit, pupils from both schools continued their joint Lego Spike coding project, showcasing teamwork, creativity and connection. They also shared how PEACEPLUS ASPIRE has helped them make new friends, explore identity and feel part of their wider community.
Dr Niall Muldoon spoke to pupils about children's rights and the work of his office in protecting and advocating for children across Ireland. Reflecting on the visit, he noted:
This work is so important and embodies rights-based education, providing invaluable opportunities for young people to access their rights — to be included, to participate, and to belong to their community.
Dr Muldoon's endorsement affirms that shared education is a practical expression of rights-based education, giving children real and meaningful access to their rights every day. Mayor Anna Gallagher highlighted the power and importance of friendship, and how PEACEPLUS ASPIRE fosters collaboration and connection among young people from all walks of life.
Sessions such as these are a blueprint for shared education and PEACEPLUS ASPIRE in action – young people from different backgrounds learning, connecting, and growing together. None of this would have been possible without the vision and ambition of both headteachers, Alison Pasquier and Martine Doherty, who are modelling best practice in all aspects of shared education through their PEACEPLUS ASPRE partnership.
To learn more about PEACEPLUS ASPIRE, check out our website here.