Pictures: Pakistani Golfers Ireland donate €10,000 to special school in Kilkenny

A special school in Kilkenny has benefited to the tune of €10,000 thanks to the Pakistani Golfers Ireland, which hosted their annual Pakistan Golf Cup at Powerscourt Golf Club this past July

Saplings Special School in Goresbridge plans to use the donation to lease a suite of iPads for students across both primary and post-primary settings.

Saplings Special School currently supports 30 students aged 4–18 with autism and complex needs. These students come from Carlow town and the wider Carlow–Kilkenny region, with some families travelling from Laois and Kildare.

The new technology will significantly enhance communication, particularly for the school’s pre-verbal and minimally verbal students who rely on AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) apps. The iPads will also support highly individualised learning programmes, including literacy, numeracy, visual scheduling, regulation apps and skill-building tools. The devices will further enhance assessment and tracking, enabling teachers and SNAs to tailor support with greater accuracy and flexibility.
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 “The iPad lease represents an essential investment in accessible digital learning, and will have a direct and immediate impact on how our students communicate, learn and regulate throughout the school day," said Lesley Brant, Principal at Saplings Special School.

"Our staff deliver highly individualised, evidence-based teaching and support for students with diverse sensory, communication, behavioural and educational needs. This new suite of iPads will further strengthen that work, thanks to the generous donation from Pakistani Golfers Ireland.”

This is the second year that the Pakistan Golf Cup has incorporated a charitable initiative, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to giving back to the Irish community. Last year’s beneficiary was St Laurence's NS, Baldoyle, Dublin 13.

Funds were raised through tee-box sponsorships and individual donations, highlighting the generosity of the Pakistani community in Ireland. There was also major support from the Pakistan Ireland Business Council, whose platform played a vital role in the campaign.

During the school visit and cheque presentation, President of the Council, Irfan Hameed, expressed his heartfelt wish that the contribution could have been ten times greater. He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to future collaboration with the business community to raise even more impactful support for such initiatives.

Dr Nasir Awan, co-founder of Pakistani Golfers Ireland, said: “Ireland has welcomed our community with warmth and generosity, and we are proud to call this country our home. Giving back through the Pakistan Golf Cup is our way of showing appreciation for that kindness. This year’s event truly reflected the spirit of friendship, sportsmanship and shared purpose. We are deeply grateful to all our supporters and donors, and we remain committed to raising even more funds in the years ahead to support charities and organisations making a meaningful difference.”

Thanking Pakistani Golfers Ireland on behalf of Saplings Special School, Lesley Brant added: “On behalf of our school community, I extend my sincere gratitude to Pakistani Golfers Ireland for their generosity. The funds raised through this year’s Pakistan Golf Cup will have a lasting and positive impact on our students, opening new opportunities for communication, learning and personal growth.”

A total of 72 golfers participated in the event, including distinguished guest H.E. Melitta Schubert, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, marking another successful year. The tournament was closely contested, with this year’s champion, Usman Shaukat, proudly lifting the trophy sponsored by the Embassy of Pakistan in Dublin.

Pakistani Golfers Ireland was founded in 2018; with 18 golfers playing in the first competition in Killeen Castle Golf Club. Today the club has 85 members, consisting of doctors, consultants and business owners. Pakistani Golfers Ireland hosts four events every year for members and invited diplomats and Irish CEOs; at Powerscourt Golf Club, Slieve Russell Golf Club, Roganstown, and The K Club.