Dublin-based team conNÉCKt, from the Lucan Unit of the Irish Girl Guides, secured a prestigious victory at the FIRST LEGO League Irish National Final this week, taking home the coveted Best Team Placard award.
Held in Dublin on 24 March 2026, the event showcased the very best in youth innovation, and conNÉCKt’s award-winning placard stood out as a masterclass in creativity and team identity. This accolade recognizes the team’s exceptional hard work and their ability to visually communicate their unique spirit, marking a significant milestone in their STEM journey.
The atmosphere at the final was electric, marking the culmination of an incredible season. This year’s competition saw over 350 teams and 2,500 young people compete across 19 regional tournaments nationwide, with only 24 elite teams qualifying for this national stage. conNÉCKt’s vibrant presence perfectly captured the high-energy and collaborative spirit that defines the FIRST LEGO League.
As the celebration of youth ingenuity continues, the overall National Champions will now prepare to represent Ireland at the European FLL Championships in Summer 2026. Now celebrating its 10th year in Ireland, FIRST LEGO League has engaged more than 35,000 young people nationwide since its launch, with this year’s programme alone seeing hundreds of teams participate in hands-on STEM learning.
Throughout the day, students demonstrated not only technical excellence in robotics and coding but also critical life skills such as collaboration, communication, resilience, and creative problem-solving. This season’s theme, UNEARTHED, challenged teams to explore the past, uncover hidden stories and artefacts, and use these discoveries to inspire innovative ideas for the future.
Amanda O’Sullivan, Lucan Unit Leader, said: “We are incredibly proud of the conNÉCKt team.
“Their creativity, teamwork, and dedication throughout the season were inspiring, and this award is a fantastic recognition of their effort. We are particularly impressed by the fact that it was their first year participating in the FIRST LEGO League.”
Ross Maguire, Chief Impact Officer at Creative Hut, which coordinates FIRST LEGO League in Ireland, added: “Today is a celebration of the journey these teams have been on.
“From their first ideas through to competing on a national stage, they’ve shown creativity, determination, and real teamwork. We’re incredibly proud of every team that took part.”
Supported by the Research Ireland Discover Programme, FIRST LEGO League is organised by CreativeHUT.
