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 2023/24
Supported by An Ceann Comhairle and with thanks to the Oireachtas Education Unit
Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24 Awards Ceremony
(Footage courtesy of Oireachtas TV)
National Winners
Mikeala Dyer and Eve Ní Chanainn
National and Regional Winners
L to R: Eve Ní Chanainn, Jaceb Fegan, Cormac Fulton Wygers, Karo Bekker, Thomas Godfrey, Mikeala Dyer.
2023/24
Competition Winners / Buaiteoirí an Chomórtais
Overall Winner English Language
Student / Scoláire: Mikeala Dyer.
School / Scoil: Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont, Dublin 9.
Congratulations to Mikeala, the National Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Mikeala, Buaiteoir Náisiúnta Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Overall Winner Irish Language
Student / Scoláire: Eve Ní Chanainn.
School / Scoil: Coláiste an Eachréidh, Baile Átha an Rí, Co. na Gaillimhe
Congratulations to Eve, the National Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Eve, Buaiteoir Náisiúnta Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Connacht / Cúige Chonnacht
Student / Scoláire: Thomas Godfrey.
School / Scoil: Coláiste Iognáid, Sea Road, Galway City.
Congratulations to Thomas, Connacht Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Thomas, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Chonnacht) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Dublin / Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath
Student / Scoláire: Ava Donohue.
School / Scoil: St Andrew’s College, Booterstown, Co. Dublin.
Congratulations to Ava, Dublin Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Ava, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Leinster (excluding Dublin) / Cúige Laighean
Student / Scoláire: Karo Bekker.
School / Scoil: St. Brendan’s Community School, Birr, Co Offaly.
Congratulations to Karo, Leinster Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Karo, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Laighean) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Munster / Cúige Mumhan
Student / Scoláire: Cormac Fulton Wygers.
School / Scoil: Mount Saint Michael, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork.
Congratulations to Cormac, Munster Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Cormac, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Mumhan) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Ulster / Cúige Uladh
Student / Scoláire: Jaceb Fegan.
School / Scoil: Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Belfast, Co. Antrim.
Congratulations to Jaceb, Ulster Regional Winner of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Jaceb, Buaiteoir Réigúnach (Cúige Uladh) Chomórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Connacht / Cúige Chonnacht
Student / Scoláire: Hannah Feeney
School / Scoil: Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill, Galway City.
Congratulations to Hannah, Highly Commended (Connacht) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Hannah, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Chonnacht) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Student / Scoláire: Clodagh McDonagh.
School / Scoil: Presentation College, Headford, Co Galway.
Congratulations to Clodagh, Highly Commended (Connacht) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Clodagh, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Chonnacht) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Dublin / Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath
Student / Scoláire: Sumer Iyer.
School / Scoil: Marino College, Marino, Dublin 3.
Congratulations to Sumer, Highly Commended (Dublin) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Sumer, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Student / Scoláire: Katie Doran Stapleton.
School / Scoil: Institute of Education, Leeson Street Lower, Dublin 2.
Congratulations to Katie, Highly Commended (Dublin) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Katie, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Leinster / Cúige Laighean
Student / Scoláire: MacDara Ó Raghallaigh.
School / Scoil: Boyne Community School, Trim, Co. Meath.
Congratulations to MacDara, Highly Commended (Leinster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le MacDara, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Laighean) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtai 2023/24.
Student / Scoláire: Ciarán Crowley.
School / Scoil: Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Congratulations to Ciarán, Highly Commended (Leinster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Ciarán, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Laighean) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Munster / Cúige Mumhan
Student / Scoláire: Ben Moloney.
School / Scoil: Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, Co.Limerick.
Congratulations to Ben, Highly Commended (Munster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Ben, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Mumhan) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Student / Scoláire: Grace Moloney.
School / Scoil: St Augustine’s College, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
Congratulations to Grace, Highly Commended (Munster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Grace, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Mumhan) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Ulster / Cúige Uladh
Student / Scoláire: Eva Tinney.
School / Scoil: Loreto Community School, Milford, Co. Donegal.
Congratulations to Eva, Highly Commended (Ulster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Eva, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Uladh) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Student / Scoláire: Sarah McArdle.
School / Scoil: St Catherine’s College, Convent Road, Armagh.
Congratulations to Sarah, Highly Commended (Ulster) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Sarah, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Cúige Uladh) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Gaeilge
Student / Scoláire: Osgur Ó Murchú.
School / Scoil: Coláiste Chroí Mhuire An Spidéal, Co. na Gaillimhe.
Congratulations to Osgur, Highly Commended (Gaeilge) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Osgur, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Gaeilge) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
Student / Scoláire: Nabeeha Malik.
School / Scoil: Rosemont School, Sandyford, Dublin 18.
Congratulations to Nabeeha, Highly Commended (Gaeilge) in the Oireachtas Essay Competition 2023/24.
Comhghairdeas le Nabeeha, a ghnóthaigh Árdmholadh (Gaeilge) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2023/24.
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