Mungret Community College in Limerick has reached new heights in education, becoming the first school in Munster to achieve the Narrative 4 Gold Empathy School Award, and the third school in Ireland to do so. This landmark achievement builds on the school’s previous Bronze and Silver Awards, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to fostering empathy and connection in its school community.
The Result of Years of Work
The initiative was overseen by teacher Aoife Ryan, who has been conducting Story Exchanges at the school even before the Empathy School Awards were established in 2022. Since then, Mungret CC has gotten behind the initiative with Story Exchanges now being a regular practice in the school, with several teachers trained as facilitators.
“We’re thrilled to receive the Narrative 4 Gold Empathy School Award, especially as we’re the first school in Munster to do so! We started carrying out Story Exchanges before the Empathy School Awards began, but to see all the teachers and students get on board with the process and obtain this award is fantastic.”
From Bronze to Gold
The path to the Gold Empathy School Award required Mungret CC to deliver a range of impactful programmes and train 12 teachers in Narrative 4’s evidence-based methodology. These trained staff facilitators have played a pivotal role in embedding the empathy and wellbeing practices across the school, influencing both students and staff.
Highlights of the journey include:
Teachers deployed learning resources developed by N4 and delivered Story Exchange sessions with young people.
The entire student body took part in a Walk and Talk.
Trained Mungret CC Teachers delivered training to all staff on staff well-being.
A Lasting Impact
Students have reported increased confidence, respect, and understanding through their participation, with many expressing that the programme helped them feel heard. Teachers, too, have embraced the approach, incorporating empathy-focused practices into their daily teaching.
The programme co-founded in the USA by Irish author Colum McCann is growing a significant evidence base. A study by Yale found that students felt more confident, happier and optimistic after the programme. A study from the University of Chicago showed empathy skills increased in young people post-programme. While in Ireland, two studies have been completed: researchers from the University of Limerick found that the programme improved relationships between students and teachers; and a study from NUIG in 2024 found that the process reduced stress in younger people.
Colum McCann says “What happens in our classrooms, happens for the rest of our lives. This programme is all about human connection creating a space for young people to express themselves and explore their emerging identities. A huge part of the process is listening. The young people listen to one another and then take on another person’s story and retell it as if it were their own story.”
Looking Ahead
Mungret Community College’s success as Munster’s first Gold Award school sets a powerful example for others. The school intends to maintain the momentum in leading with empathy as part of the education they provide.
Mungret Community College is Limerick’s second recipient of Narrative 4’s Empathy School Award, a National Award for secondary schools. This award recognises schools that promote empathy, kindness and connection among students and staff.
Laura Duff, Programme Coordinator at Narrative 4 Ireland says “Narrative 4 is delighted to award Mungret Community College as the second school in Limerick to achieve the Bronze Empathy School Award! The staff and students at Mungret Community College have done amazing work in the past year, putting an emphasis on empathy and social connection. Empathy is an important life skill that allows us to identify how others are feeling, to build positive relationships and combat bullying and conflict amongst young people.”
Narrative 4 was co-founded in 2012 by New York-based Irish author Colum McCann, who went on to bring it to Ireland in 2016. The registered charity has trained hundreds of teachers and youth workers to deliver an evidence-based teaching method that fosters connection, empathy and encourages positive relationships in the classroom. It has won several awards and praise from students, parents, teachers and beyond. Narrative 4 has received recognition and support from organisations such as Rethink Ireland, the JP McManus Fund, the Ireland Funds, and Creative Ireland.
McCann says the work that the organisation does offers benefits across society: “This is about embedding empathy work into our schools. So many schools are doing amazing work, but it’s clear there’s potential to do so much more. We’re at a real turning point in our world, and I think this can be a transformative moment for the better. Change starts with education, and by giving our young people the right opportunities. That’s why we developed this award. Our hope is that it provides a valuable and timely offering for schools. I’ve seen first-hand how this work brings benefits to staff, students and, in fact, entire school cultures. This ripples into our homes and into society, creating a kinder and more nuanced world, something that is very much needed right now.”