Last year: Oireachtas Essay Competition
2022/23
The Oireachtas Essay Competition was launched for the first time in September 2022. Please see below for details of the competition launch, awards ceremony, etc.
Letter from the Organisers
A chairde,
We were delighted by the response to our inaugural Oireachtas Essay Competition. Congratulations, not just to our winners, but to all who participated. Please keep up your interest in our political process and encourage others to do likewise. Our democracy works best when the maximum number of citizens are engaged with and involved in public decision-making.
We would like to say special thanks to all those who helped to make this first Oireachtas Essay Competition such a success: the sponsors (Eason, Folens and CJ Fallon), schools leadership and teachers, management and representative bodies in education, the Competition assessors and judges, the parents and families who encouraged their loved ones to participate, Western Web Marketing who produced the Competition website, the Competition organisation team and all the Oireachtas staff who gave of their time and expertise along the way.
We look forward to next year’s Oireachtas Essay Competition, with even more entries from schools and students nationwide!
Le gach dea-ghuí,
Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD,
Ceann Comhairle
Ceann Comhairle
Senator Rónán Mullen,
Competition Convenor
Competition Convenor
Images from Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23
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)
National Winners
James O’Connor and Antaine Ó Séaghdha
National and Regional Winners
Front L to R: Leanne Healy, Kate McKeon, Prachi Agrawal
Back L to R: Dara Morley, Antaine Ó Séaghdha, Senan Corr, James O’Connor
Competition Winners / Buaiteoirí an Chomórtais
Student / Scoláire: James O’Connor.
School / Scoil: Douglas Community School, Clermont Avenue, Douglas, Cork.
Congratulations to James, the National Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le James, Buaiteoir Náisiúnta Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Student / Scoláire: Antaine Ó Séaghdha.
School / Scoil: Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, An Gróbh, Daingean Uí Chúis, Co. Chiarraí.
Congratulations to Antaine, the National Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le hAntaine, Buaiteoir Náisiúnta Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Connacht / Cúige Chonnacht
Student / Scoláire: Dara Morley.
School / Scoil: St. Colman’s College, Knock Road, Claremorris, Co. Mayo.
Congratulations to Dara, Connacht Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le hAntaine, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Chonnacht) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Dublin / Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath
Student / Scoláire: Prachi Agrawal.
School / Scoil: Dominican College Sion Hill, Cross Ave, Blackrock, Dublin, A94 TP97.
Congratulations to Prachi, Dublin Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Prachi, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Leinster / Cúige Laighean
Student / Scoláire: Senan Corr.
School / Scoil: Confey Community College, River Forest, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.
Congratulations to Senan, Leinster Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Senan, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Laighean) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Munster / Cúige Mumhan
Student / Scoláire: Kate McKeon.
School / Scoil: Árd Scoil na nDéise, Convent Road, Dungarvan.
Congratulations to Kate, Munster Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Kate, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Mumhan) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Ulster / Cúige Uladh
Student / Scoláire: Leanne Healy.
School / Scoil: Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92X981.
Congratulations to Leanne, Ulster Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Leanne, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Uladh) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Connacht / Cúige Chonnacht
Student / Scoláire: Ciara Nic an tSaoir.
School / Scoil: Seamount College Kinvara, Co.Galway, H91 N5P2.
Congratulations to Ciara, Highly Commended (Connacht) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Ciara, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Chonnacht) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Student / Scoláire: Niall Murphy.
School / Scoil: St. Muredach’s College, Sligo Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo.
Congratulations to Niall, Highly Commended (Connacht) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Niall, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Chonnacht) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Dublin / Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath
Student / Scoláire: Eve O’Callaghan.
School / Scoil: Mount Anville Secondary School, Mountanville, Dublin, D14 A8P3.
Congratulations to Eve, Highly Commended (Dublin) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Eve, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Student / Scoláire: Aobh Counihan.
School / Scoil: St. Louis High School, Convent of Saint Louis, Charleville Rd, Rathmines, Dublin.
Congratulations to Aobh, Highly Commended (Dublin) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Aobh, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Leinster / Cúige Laighean
Student / Scoláire: Paul Mahon.
School / Scoil: St. Kieran’s College Secondary School College Road, Kilkenny.
Congratulations to Paul, Highly Commended (Leinster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Paul, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Laighean) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Student / Scoláire: Ben Cranston.
School / Scoil: St Finian’s College Longford Road, Ballyglass, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
Congratulations to Ben, Highly Commended (Leinster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Ben, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Laighean) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Munster / Cúige Mumhan
Student / Scoláire: Jonathan O’Shaughnessy.
School / Scoil: Christian Brothers College, Sydney Hill, Wellington Road, Cork.
Congratulations to Jonathan, Highly Commended (Munster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Jonathan, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Mumhan) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Student / Scoláire: Akshita Gupta.
School / Scoil: Christ King Secondary School, Half Moon Lane, South Douglas Road, Cork City.
Congratulations to Akshita, Highly Commended (Munster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Akshita, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Mumhan) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Ulster / Cúige Uladh
Student / Scoláire: Thomas Cannon.
School / Scoil: Loreto Community School, Milford Convent Rd, Millford, Milford, Co. Donegal.
Congratulations to Thomas, Highly Commended (Ulster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Thomas, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Uladh) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Student / Scoláire: Ciaran Fisher.
School / Scoil: St. Joseph’s Boys’ School, Westway, Creggan, Derry. BT48 9NX
Congratulations to Ciaran, Highly Commended (Ulster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Ciaran, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Uladh) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Gaeilge
Student / Scoláire: Nabeeha Malik.
School / Scoil: Rosemont School, Enniskerry Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18 D18 A8N2.
Congratulations to Nabeeha, Highly Commended (Gaeilge) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Nabeeha, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Gaeilge) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Student / Scoláire: Rebecca Kane.
School / Scoil: Coláiste Pobal Rathchairn, Áth Buí, Co. na Mí.
Congratulations to Rebecca, Highly Commended (Gaeilge) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2022/23.
Comhghairdeas le Rebecca, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Gaeilge) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2022/23.
Stages of the Competition
The awards ceremony was held in Leinster House for the National and Regional winners on Friday 10 March 2023. They were joined by family members and representatives from their school communities.
Please click on an image to enlarge:
The Highly Commended students received a commemorative pen and framed certificate in their schools.
Please click on an image to enlarge:
Principal Sponsor
Associate Sponsors
