Quignamanger N.S Crowned National Champions
7 April, 2025
Back row: Michael Duffy, Martin Busch, (President of the Irish League of Credit Unions), Anne Tracey, (tutor) John Sharpson, (host) Cian Gillespie. Front row: Gareth Doyle, Iarla Hannon.
A surge of excitement and celebration swept through the RSD in Dublin on Sunday 6th as 88 of Ireland’s top young quiz teams gathered for the grand final of the Credit Union School Quiz. This year’s competition saw over 25,000 pupils from across the country take part in the local, regional, and national rounds—culminating in a thrilling showdown that showcased the very best of young knowledge and teamwork.
Hosted by RTÉ’s John Sharpson—better known to many as Múinteoir John—the event was packed with energy, laughter, and nail-biting tension. His mix of humour and encouragement kept spirits high throughout a fiercely contested day of questions, covering a broad range of topics from history and science to sport and popular culture.
The quiz officially got underway at 1:30pm, launching straight into twelve challenging rounds that tested even the most prepared teams. By the halfway point, it looked as though it might not be Quignamanger National School’s day. However, in a stunning show of resilience and knowledge, they surged up the leaderboard over the next three rounds—demonstrating the depth of their preparation and their remarkable composure under pressure.
Then came the dramatic finale: as the final scores lit up the screen, it was a three-way tie at the top. Quignamanger National School, St Beacan National School (Kilkenny), and Roundwood National School (Wicklow) were locked on 50 points each—prompting an intense tiebreaker round. With determination and quick thinking, it was Quignamanger National School who rose to the occasion, ultimately claiming the coveted national title.
Gareth Doyle, Iarla Hannon, Michael Duffy and Cian Gillespie’s victory is a testament not only to their dedication and breadth of knowledge, but also to the unwavering support of their families, their school, and particularly their tutor Anne Tracey. Her expert guidance, encouragement, and calm leadership were evident throughout the day, and her role in the team’s journey cannot be overstated.
Martin Busch, President of the Irish League of Credit Unions, congratulated the winners and paid tribute to all involved: “We’re incredibly proud of every student who took part in this year’s quiz. Their passion for learning and team spirit was inspiring to see. Huge congratulations to our winners – but this event is really about every child who stepped up, had a go, and learned something new along the way.”
“A sincere thank you to the teachers, families and especially the volunteers from credit unions across the country who make this event possible. Their dedication at local, regional, and national level is what brings this competition to life every year.”
A sincere thank you also goes to the Irish League of Credit Unions for organising and hosting such a spectacular event. Their commitment to promoting learning and community engagement continues to inspire and uplift schools across the nation.
Congratulations once again to all 88 teams who made it to the final—you represented your schools and communities with pride. But above all, hats off to Quignamanger National School, Competition B – 2025 Credit Union School Quiz National Champions!