Active School Week (#ASW) is the biggest event of the Active School calendar and a favourite of many students, staff and families. All schools, primary, post primary and special schools are encouraged to participate.
Participation – Inclusion – FUN
National Active School Week takes place April 27 – May 1, 2026 but if these dates don’t work for your school, you are free to organise your #ASW programme at a different time.
#ASW Essentials
The Active School Week initiative aims to support schools to energise the school day for all its members, by maximising physical activity opportunities throughout the school day.
Displayed opposite are activities, events and initiatives that we ask all schools to take into consideration, when planning their #ASW programmes.
Every #ASW programme is different.
We cannot wait to find out what YOUR school will do.
Skipping Skills
On the #ASW Resources Page you will find super cool, really impressive skipping moves that will challenge staff and students.
- Side Swing / Luascadh Taobhach
- Texan Turn/ Casadh Texan
- Leg Catch/ Greim Cosa
- Arm Wrap/ Fáisc Lámha
- Combo/ Combó
Step by step video instruction is provided making the featured skills very achievable.
Practice and patience also required!
Walkway Activities
Check out the NEW Walkway activities that we have created for #ASW26.
They include a mixture of FUN activities, as well as ‘learning on the move’ charts, with something to suit all ages. Check out the walkway dingbats challenge that we have created especially for staff to test out their musical knowledge.
All Walkway resources, accessible on the #ASW Resources Page, are available in Irish and English.
Olympians LIVE
The Dare to Believe programme are thrilled to support Active School Week (2026).
On May 1st schools had the opportunity to join two of Ireland’s top athletes- Olympic boxer Grainne Walsh and Paralympic Rower Tiarnán O’Donnell.
The two super star athletes were in-studio to tell their inspiring stories, answer student questions, demo some baking skills and Olympic Movement breaks and share their pro-tips!
Check out the videos by clicking the links below!
Crazy Golf Take Over
This year, we are delighted to partner with Pitch and Putt Ireland to incentivise, encourage and support, as many schools as possible, to build Crazy Golf in to their #ASW26 planning.
Check out our Inspirational School videos on the #ASW Resources page. You’ll also find slideshows that are jam-packed full of advice, ideas and supports.
Open to primary, post primary and special schools.
Equipment and Awards
Schools that register for the Crazy Golf Take Over can request equipment to support their engagement with this initiative
Subject to availability (one set per school) allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Schools that share photos/videos of their Crazy Golf courses will be entered into a draw to win an outdoor table tennis table.
One primary school winner per county with extra draws for special schools and post primary schools.
