Dublin
One Day, Lasting Impact: ARI and Difference Days transform courtyard at Coláiste Eoin
27 Aug 2026
More than 40 colleagues from ARI’s Dublin headquarters recently partnered with Difference Days, teachers and students from Coláiste Eoin in Finglas to transform an underused school courtyard into a vibrant outdoor space designed for play, connection and wellbeing.
The initiative formed part of ARI’s annual Difference Day programme, which gives colleagues the opportunity to support projects that create a meaningful impact in local communities. Working together, volunteers revitalised the school’s internal courtyard, creating a new multi-use soccer pitch, refreshing seating and social areas, revamping picnic benches, adding colourful artwork and carrying out extensive gardening works.
The project originated from a vision shared by Coláiste Eoin PE teacher Joey Fitzgibbon, who wanted to create a more welcoming space for students at the DEIS school.
I feel it’s very important to make the school a happy, energetic and safe space where they can just be kids.
Coláiste Eoin PE Teacher
Located close to ARI’s headquarters and Dublin Airport, Coláiste Eoin was a natural choice for this year’s Difference Day project. The initiative reflects ARI’s commitment to creating positive social impact through its Journey with Purpose ESG strategy.
Diana Geraghty, Global ESG Lead at ARI, said:
Difference Day is about creating lasting positive impact in the communities around us, and a reminder that sustainability is about people as much as the environment. From the moment we heard Joey’s vision for the students of Coláiste Eoin, we knew this was a project we wanted to support. Seeing our colleagues work alongside students, teachers and Difference Days to bring that vision to life was incredibly rewarding, and we are proud the space will benefit students for years to come.
ARI Global ESG Lead
The transformed courtyard now provides students with a safer and more engaging environment to play sports, socialise and enjoy their breaks between classes.
Ray Hernan, CEO of ARI, said:
Projects like this demonstrate the power of people coming together around a shared purpose. We are proud to support initiatives that create lasting benefits for local communities and help young people thrive.
ARI Chief Executive Officer
Neil Dunphy, Principal of Coláiste Eoin, welcomed the impact of the project on the school community:
The football pitch, the colourful benches, the artwork and the newly manicured green areas have all created a space that any young person would enjoy spending time in. Hopefully they will see that their voices matter and that they matter as students in Coláiste Eoin.
Coláiste Eoin Principal
Denis O’Reilly, Founder of Difference Days, added:
What ARI achieved alongside the staff and students at Coláiste Eoin is a perfect example of what can happen when a company invests not just in a project, but in a community. The impact of one day will be felt by students for many years to come.
Difference Days Founder
While the physical transformation was completed in a single day, its impact will be felt for years to come, creating a space where students can connect, be active and enjoy being part of their school community.
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