Something Fishy Programme 2025
Something Fishy is an education programme targeted at fifth and sixth classes in Primary school. The aim is to inform and educate students on water quality, fish, the environment and angling. Now supported by Inland Fisheries Ireland (hyperlinked), the project was originally developed in collaboration between the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) and Blackrock Education Centre (BEC). The lesson plans and activity sheets are based on the theme of the ‘Life cycle of salmon’ - Bradán. To visit the website please click on the link below: www.somethingfishy.ie
The ‘Something Fishy Programme 2025’ National Winning School was:
St. Eunan’s National School, Raphoe
Class Teacher - Noleen Sweeney
Principal - Anita Keeve
Congratulations to St. Eunans N.S, Raphoe on winning the National Something Fishy Programme Project for 2025, Very Well Done!!
On Friday the 21st of November 2025, Fisheries Staff (Tommy Mooney, Hugh Mooney, John McCallig and Fidelma Flannelly) along with Donegal Education Support Centre (DESC) Director Kieran McTaggart and DESC Staff Mary McHugh, visited the school and presented the 4th and 5th Class pupils with a Something Fishy Winners Plaque and also a voucher for equipment towards the school.
Background to Competition
A Something Fishy Presentation was conducted by Fisheries Officer Tommy Mooney and staff in February 2025, all 4th and 5th class pupils were shown a PowerPoint presentation which covered the modules of the programme along with other aspects of fish life and life cycles. As the school visit was conducted in February, we were able to source a wider range of the life cycle of the Salmon from Ova (egg), Alevin, Fry, Parr and Smolt stage which gave the children a better opportunity to view the entire life cycle in the small aquarium tank which we brought into the school.
Kick Samples of macro-invertebrates were brought into the classroom in trays along with a setup of microscopes which enabled the children to view all the bug life that exists in the gravel, cobble and beds of our rivers which is vital for the juvenile stages of our fish to survive. During the presentation we highlighted the different types of bugs that indicated good water quality status and also the ones that show moderate to poor water quality.
Overall, the programme and school presentations were a success and both, children and class teachers were excited to see us arrive and set up our display of a fish tank and trays of macro-invertebrates for all to see and explore under microscope.
Here is a picture of the winning project:
In the picture below, the Donegal Education Support Centre Director Kieran McTaggart presents Class Teacher Miss Noleen Sweeney with the Something Fishy National Winners Plaque and Assistant Inspector Tommy Mooney (Inland Fisheries Ireland) presents Mrs Anita Keeve, School Principal with the winners’ voucher.
The picture below is of the 4th and 5th Class pupils from St Eunan's NS in Raphoe, winners of the National Something Fishy Programme 2025.
The ‘Something Fishy Programme 2025’ Regional Winning School for the North Western River Basin District (Letterkenny District) was:
St. Eunan’s National School, Raphoe
Class Teacher - Noleen Sweeney
Principal - Anita Keeve
Congratulations to St. Eunans N.S, Raphoe on winning the 2025 Something Fishy winning school within the North Western River Basin District.
On Friday 30th May 2025, Fisheries Staff (James Doherty and Tommy Mooney) visited the school and presented the 4th and 5th class pupils of St. Eunans N.S, Raphoe with a Something Fishy Winners Plaque and also a voucher for equipment towards the school. Their class teacher Ms Noeleen Sweeney is pictured above along with her class pupils receiving their plaque and voucher.
Below is a picture of the Inland Fisheries Staff (Tommy Mooney and James Doherty) presenting the Class Teacher Miss Noleen Sweeney with the 2025 Regional Something Fishy Winners Plaque and voucher.
