"Top marks!" TV star Baz gives big shout-out to Kildare TY students
Ardscoil Rath Iomgháin congratulated TY students Sam and Conor
Transition Year students from Ardscoil Rath Iomgháin received high praise from Baz Ashmawy after completing work experience on DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland during the programme’s latest community project in Co Kildare.
The school congratulated TY students Sam and Conor after they spent time working alongside the RTÉ production team during filming in the Painstown and Donadea area.
In a social media post, the school said: “Well done to our TY students, Sam and Conor, who received a unique work experience review this week from Baz Ashmawy at RTÉ. They had the opportunity to work on DIY SOS. Keep up the great work, lads!”
Baz Ashmawy also paid tribute to the students’ contribution to the build, and name-checked the TY co-ordinator Mr Rice.
In a video post, Baz said: “Mr Rice, these two men - you are carving men out of granite. They were brilliant.!
“They were the best of help. I'm reluctant to even send them back to you, but if I have to. Top marks! Top marks!” he said.
The latest series of DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland is supporting the Connolly family in Kildare following the sudden death of husband and father Daragh Connolly in December 2025 at the age of 45.
At the time of his death, the family were building their forever home, but financial difficulties left the project incomplete. The DIY SOS team, alongside volunteers, family, friends and the local community, joined forces to complete the house for Ramona Connolly and her five-year-old son, Oran.
The build took place between May 19 and May 28.