‘The Liberator’, Daniel O’Connell (1775 – 1847)
This year, we are delighted to welcome PTSB as our Principal Sponsors for 2024-27. We would also like to thank CJ Fallon for joining as Associate Sponsor for the third year running.
We are extending eligibility for the Oireachtas Essay Competition to Transition Year students. All students in Senior Cycle (TY, 5th Year and 6th Year), as well as AS and A level students, are invited to participate.
The coming year, 2025, marks the 250th Anniversary of the birth of ‘The Liberator’, Daniel O’Connell: parliamentarian, lawyer, champion of the downtrodden and the enslaved —and an internationally-renowned Statesman.
Who better than O’Connell to inspire excellent essays on the potential of parliament to do good for society? Our theme for this year’s Competition, therefore, is ‘Parliamentary Politics Liberates’.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD,
Ceann Comhairle
Ceann Comhairle
Senator Rónán Mullen,
Competition Convenor
Competition Convenor
Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24 Awards Ceremony
(Footage courtesy of Oireachtas TV)
Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24 Awards Ceremony
(Footage courtesy of Oireachtas TV)
Supported by An Ceann Comhairle and with thanks to the Oireachtas Education Unit
Images from Oireachtas Essay Competition
2023/24
2024/25
Competition Winners / Buaiteoirí an Chomórtais
Overall Winner English Language
Student / Scoláire: Patrick Galvin.
School / Scoil: Abbey Community College, Abbeylands, Co. Kilkenny.
Congratulations to Patrick, the National Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Patrick, Buaiteoir Náisiúnta Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Overall Winner Irish Language
Student / Scoláire: Eimear Níc Dhonnchadha.
School / Scoil: Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe.
Congratulations to Eimear, the National Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Eimear, Buaiteoir Náisiúnta Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Connacht / Cúige Chonnacht
Student / Scoláire: Marissa Illiana Divilley.
School / Scoil: St Joseph’s Secondary School Castlebar, Convent of Mercy, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Congratulations to Marissa, Connacht Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Marissa, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Chonnacht) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Dublin / Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath
Student / Scoláire: Iseult McGovern.
School / Scoil: Rathdown School, Upper Glenageary Road, Glenageary, Co. Dublin.
Congratulations to Iseult, Dublin Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Iseult, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Leinster (excluding Dublin) / Cúige Laighean
Student / Scoláire: Chukwudike Kpaduwa.
School / Scoil: Grammar School, The Crescent, Townparks, Dundalk, Co.Louth.
Congratulations to Chukwudike, Leinster Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Chukwudike, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Laighean) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Munster / Cúige Mumhan
Student / Scoláire: Saoirse O Connor Buckley.
School / Scoil: Colaiste Muire Realt na Mara, Crosshaven, Co. Cork.
Congratulations to Saoirse, Munster Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Saoirse, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Mumhan) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Ulster / Cúige Uladh
Student / Scoláire: Jamie Anderson.
School / Scoil: St Catherine’s Vocational School, Donegal Rd, Corporation, Killybegs, Co. Donegal.
Congratulations to Jamie, Ulster Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Jamie, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Uladh) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Connacht / Cúige Chonnacht
Student / Scoláire: Fiona Duffy.
School / Scoil: Ballyhaunis Community School, Tooraree, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.
Congratulations to Fiona, Highly Commended (Connacht) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Fiona, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Chonnacht) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Student / Scoláire: Emily Ross.
School / Scoil: resentation College Athenry, Ballygarraun South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Congratulations to Emily, Highly Commended (Connacht) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Emily, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Chonnacht) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Dublin / Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath
Student / Scoláire: Yuming Lian.
School / Scoil: Belvedere College, 6 Denmark Street Great, Rotunda, Dublin 1.
Congratulations to Yuming, Highly Commended (Dublin) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Yuming, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Student / Scoláire: Faith Robinson.
School / Scoil: Loreto Abbey Dalkey, Loreto Ave, Harbour Rd, Dalkey Commons, Dalkey, Co. Dublin.
Congratulations to Faith, Highly Commended (Dublin) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Faith, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Leinster / Cúige Laighean
Student / Scoláire: Katie Nolan.
School / Scoil: Enniscorthy Community College, Milehouse Road, Enniscorthy.
School / Scoil: Enniscorthy Community College, Milehouse Road, Enniscorthy.
Congratulations to Katie, Highly Commended (Leinster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Katie, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Laighean) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtai 2024/25.
Student / Scoláire: Kara Hendrick Waters.
School / Scoil: Ramsgrange Community School, Ramsgrange, New Ross, Co.Wexford.
Congratulations to Kara, Highly Commended (Leinster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Kara, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Laighean) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Munster / Cúige Mumhan
Student / Scoláire: Rachel Barry.
School / Scoil: Bruce College Cork, Audley House, Patrick’s Hill, Cork, County Cork.
Congratulations to Rachel, Highly Commended (Munster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Rachel, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Mumhan) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Student / Scoláire: Niamh Hanafin.
School / Scoil: Presentation Secondary School Tralee, Tralee, Co Kerry.
Congratulations to Niamh, Highly Commended (Munster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Niamh, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Mumhan) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Ulster / Cúige Uladh
Student / Scoláire: Donal Owens.
School / Scoil: Loreto St Malachys College, Belfast, 36 Antrim Road, Belfast.
Congratulations to Donal, Highly Commended (Ulster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Donal, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Uladh) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Student / Scoláire: Eavan Sara McAreavey.
School / Scoil: Our Lady and St. Patrick’s College, Knock, 120 Gilnahirk Rd, Belfast.
Congratulations to Eavan, Highly Commended (Ulster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Eavan, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Uladh) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Gaeilge
Student / Scoláire: Aisling Ní Chonsnámha.
School / Scoil: Coláiste an Eachréidh, Bóthar Thuama, Baile Átha an Rí, Co. na Gaillimhe.
Congratulations to Aisling, Highly Commended (Gaeilge) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Aisling, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Gaeilge) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Student / Scoláire: Holly Nic Liam.
School / Scoil: Coláiste an Eachréidh, Bóthar Thuama, Baile Átha an Rí, Co. na Gaillimhe.
Congratulations to Holly, Highly Commended (Gaeilge) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25.
Comhghairdeas le Holly, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Gaeilge) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.
Principal Sponsor
Associate Sponsor
Essay Competition Prizes
Two National Winners
Best Essay in English:
€500 for the winning student
€500 for the winning school
Best Essay in Irish:
€500 for the winning student
€500 for the winning school
Five Regional Winners
Best essay from each of: Dublin, Rest of Leinster, Connacht, Ulster & Munster
€250 for each winning student
€250 for each winning school
Awards Ceremony
National and Regional Winners attend Awards Ceremony with Lunch in Leinster House, Spring 2025.
Highly Commended
Two entries per region and two Irish language entries will be Highly Commended. A presentation, to include a commemorative pen and a €100 cash prize, will be made to Highly Commended students in their schools.
Stages of the Competition
Winning Schools 2024/25
