Oireachtas Essay Competition

“We are inviting this year’s Senior Cycle (5th Year and 6th Year for Leaving Cert), and AS and A level students, to submit essays on the theme “Parliamentary Politics Matters for Peace”.

We would like you to think about how members of parliament should be, and can be, agents of peace, and how the work of parliament can contribute to peacebuilding.

We look forward very much to reading those essays and to meeting some of you at our Awards Ceremony in 2024 and in your schools.

Thank you for participating in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24 and best of luck.”

Read full message here >

Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD,
Ceann Comhairle

Senator Rónán Mullen,
Competition Convenor

Supported by An Ceann Comhairle and with thanks to the Oireachtas Education Unit

Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23 Awards Ceremony (Footage courtesy of Oireachtas TV)

Images from Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23

Principal Sponsor

Associate Sponsors

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 2024.

Highly Commended

Also, 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.