Dundalk’s Redeemer Boys' NS secure Innovation Project Award

Dundalk’s young innovators shone at the FIRST® LEGO® League Dublin Regional, with Redeemer Boys’ NS Flaming Pythons taking home the Innovation Project Award for their creative problem-solving.

Team T-Rex from Future Focus21c EDU in Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry triumphed overall  at the first LEGO League Dublin Regional on 26 February, held at the vibrant campus of Dublin City University. By capturing the title of Regional Champions and dominating the leaderboard to win the Robot Game, the team showcased a masterclass in strategic thinking and technical precision.

This spectacular victory secures their place at the highly anticipated Ireland National Final this March, where they will compete against the nation’s top young innovators for a chance at global recognition. 

The winner’s podium celebrated a diverse display of talent and ingenuity from across the country. Dundalk’s Flaming Pythons from Redeemer Boys' NS secured the Innovation Project Award for their creative problem-solving, while AMOE from Alexandra College in Milltown impressed judges with masterful engineering to earn the Robot Design Award. Demonstrating the true spirit of collaboration, team "Us" from Future Focus21c EDU took home the Core Values Award, rounding out a day of high-octane competition that proved the future of Irish STEM is brighter than ever. 

This Regional Tournament was supported and Sponsored by DCU. FIRST® LEGO® League Ireland Sponsored by Amazon, is one of Ireland’s most successful and long-running STEM education programmes. Now celebrating its 10th year in Ireland, more than 35,000 young people have taken part since the programme first launched here. Its hands-on learning approach not only builds technical skills but also helps young people use technology meaningfully, encouraging independent thinking, clearer communication, and creative problem-solving rooted in real-world challenges. 

Teams, supported by an adult coach, design and build LEGO® robots while tackling themed missions. Using coding, engineering skills, and plenty of teamwork, they explore ideas that could shape the future. This year’s theme, UNEARTHED℠, invites teams to dig into the past - uncovering hidden treasures, mysterious artefacts, and forgotten stories. Amazon is the national sponsor of the competition. 

Joanne Reynolds, Community Engagement Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Ireland, says the program fosters innovation, creativity, and problem-solving from a young age: “We’re proud to collaborate with FIRST® LEGO® League to inspire curiosity, teamwork, and a passion for learning that will shape the future of technology and beyond. At Amazon, we believe in fostering innovation, creativity, and problem-solving from a young age. Supporting FIRST® LEGO® League aligns with our commitment to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators. By investing in STEM education and providing opportunities for hands-on learning, we’re helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in an ever-evolving world.” 

The programme is supported for the fifth year by the Research Ireland Discover Programme. Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland, says the initiative aligns strongly with their mission to widen participation in STEM. 

“Teaching teamwork, design and programming skills, based around childhood LEGO building bricks is inspired. Science and technical skills can be fun and engaging, and the secret for educators is to find the fun and games, and the story-telling and puzzles, to awaken young people’s minds to the enjoyment and fascination of science”. 

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Curiosity and team spirit are the keys to success, says Ross Maguire, Chief Impact Officer at Creative Hut, which coordinates FIRST® LEGO® League in Ireland. “Teachers and all of us involved find it a joy to see how this initiative helps make STEM simpler and more inclusive. From brainstorming solutions to building models, the young people seamlessly experience STEM in action, and have real fun in the process.” 

The top team from this year’s FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge will represent Ireland at the European FLL Championships in summer 2026.