Mayo college scoops seven national awards for its school musical

Davitt College’s 2025 production of Rock of Ages has been recognised on the national stage, taking home seven awards at the Best of Ireland Secondary School Stage Awards – a major achievement for a school musical that also marked a significant milestone: 40 years of musicals in Davitt College.

Staged in November 2025, Rock of Ages was a massive local success, with sold-out shows and a school community fully behind it.

More than 120 students were involved across the cast, backstage crew and production teams, turning the school auditorium into a fully transformed theatre space – built, designed and run by students and staff who treat the show like a professional production from day one.

At the heart of the project was a strong production team led by producer Dave Mac Donnacha and director Damien Gallagher, who received an award for director.

The musical direction was led by Claire Kennedy, with choreography by Emma Coleman of ECM Dance, bringing energy, precision and style to a show known for big performances and even bigger numbers.

The backstage work was every bit as impressive as what happened under the lights.

Stage managers James Cunningham and Síle Hughes led the stage management team and also designed and built the set, earning the Castlebar college an award for set design – a particularly meaningful achievement for a school that takes pride in building its productions in-house.

The awards also recognised standout student performances, with lead roles delivering at a national award-winning level.

Daisy Finnerty, who played Sherrie Christian, received an award for Best Acting (Female).

Myles Girling-Moore, in the role of Lonny Barnett, received an award for Best Acting (Male).

Bella Kearney, who played Denise Dupree, received an award for Best Acting (Co-Star Female), while Ben O’Brien, as Drew Boley, received an award for Best Vocals (Co-Star).

Davitt College also received an award for Acting Ensemble, reflecting the strength of the cast as a whole – not just the headline roles.

Several other Davitt College students were nominated across the night, underlining the depth of talent within the production.

Oisin Toland (Stacee Jaxx) was nominated for Best Acting (Co-Star Male), Jennis Ann Sarish (Justice Charlier) for Best Vocals (Co-Star), and Conor McDonagh (Franz Klineman) for Comedy (Male).

Supporting performances were also delivered by Kayla Gibbons (Hilda Klineman) and Isabelle McHugh (Regina), helping to build a cast full of personality, confidence and stage presence.

In total, Davitt College received nominations across a wide range of categories, including Acting Ensemble, Choreography, Best Acting (Male), Best Acting (Female), Best Acting (Co-Star Male), Best Acting (Co-Star Female), Best Vocals (Male), Best Vocals (Female), Best Vocals (Co-Star), Set Design, Promo, Comedy, Vocal Teacher, Director, Costumes, Comedy (Male), Comedy (Female), Comedy Ensemble, and Vocal Ensemble – demonstrating that the production excelled across every part of the theatre-making process: acting, singing, dance, design, promotion, and technical delivery.

For Davitt College, the musical is about far more than a few nights of entertainment. It is a school-wide project that teaches students to commit, collaborate and perform under pressure.

It gives students a place to find confidence and community – whether they are centre stage, building sets, managing props, or helping backstage.

The transformation of the school auditorium into a theatre each year is a visible symbol of what the musical represents: students taking ownership of something big, creative and demanding, and rising to meet the standard.

Taking home seven national awards is a headline achievement. But the larger story is what it says about the culture behind the show – a tradition built over four decades, a strong team of staff and students, and a school community that treats the arts as something worth doing to the highest standard.

Davitt College’s National Award Wins

Award for Best Set Design – Síle Hughes, James Cunningham and respective crews

Award for Best Director – Damien Gallagher

Award for Best Acting Ensemble

Award for Best Vocals (Co-Star) – Ben O’Brien

Award for Best Acting (Female) – Daisy Finnerty

Award for Best Acting (Male) – Myles Girling-Moore

Award for Best Acting (Co-Star Female) – Bella Kearney.