Students from Scoil Bhríde in Leixlip, Co. Kildare were treated to an unforgettable experience this week when Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins made a surprise appearance during their visit to the Sky Up Academy Studios in Dublin.
The group of football-enthusiastic students, ranging from 3rd to 5th class, had travelled to the Dublin city centre studios expecting to take part in a media workshop, where they would film a news report and record a message of support for the Boys in Green ahead of tomorrow’s pivotal World Cup qualification fixture.
Instead, their day took an unexpected turn when Collins — one of the school’s most notable past pupils — walked into the studio to greet them and their teachers.
The visit, captured in a video released by Sky, shows the moment of surprise as the students reacted with shock and excitement before quickly settling into the opportunity to engage with the Ireland captain.
Once the initial excitement subsided, the students showcased the skills they had developed through the Sky Up Academy programme, demonstrating their understanding of newsroom production and digital storytelling. They then took the opportunity to interview Collins in a studio setting, posing a mix of light-hearted and probing questions.
Scoil Bhríde principal Anita Clarke described the visit as a memorable moment for the school community.
“It was an amazing day for our students,” she said. “To see Nathan, someone who once sat in the same classrooms as our students do now, walk through the door was a moment they’ll never forget. The Sky Up Academy Studios experience is already incredible, but having Nathan show up and spend some time with them made it truly special.”
She added that the connection between Collins and the school added an extra layer of inspiration for the students.
“It’s a day they’ll be talking about for a very long time. We’re so proud of Nathan and all he has achieved and we’ll all be cheering the Boys in Green on in Prague this week,” she said.
The Sky Up Academy Studios programme is designed to equip students with practical media skills while broadening their awareness of potential careers in the television and digital industries. Through hands-on participation, students take on real-world production roles, creating content across themes such as wellbeing, sustainability and society.
The initiative also places a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusion. Sky Ireland has developed the Dublin studio as a purpose-built space to accommodate all students, including those with disabilities and additional learning needs, ensuring that opportunities in media education are open to as wide a cohort as possible.
As Primary Partner of the Republic of Ireland’s men’s and women’s national teams, Sky continues to align its community and educational initiatives with its support of the game at elite level.
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Image Credit: Sky Ireland
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