Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25

Letter from the Organisers

A chairde,

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

Senator Rónán Mullen,
Competition Convenor

Images from Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25

”What a winning essay looks like” – read the essays from last year’s National Winners

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

Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25 Awards Ceremony

National Winners

Eimear Níc Dhonnchadha and Patrick Galvin

National and Regional Winners

L to R: Eimear Níc Dhonnchadha, Jamie Anderson, Iseult McGovern, Patrick Galvin, Saoirse O Connor Buckley, Chukwudike Kpaduwa, Marissa Illiana Divilley

2024/25

Competition Winners / Buaiteoirí an Chomórtais

National Winners / Buaiteoirí Náisiúnta

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.

5 Regional Winners / 5 Buaiteoirí Réigiúnacha

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.

Highly Commended / Ardmholadh

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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (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 Ardmholadh (Gaeilge) i gComórtas Aiste an Oireachtais 2024/25.

Stages of the Competition

Launch - Oireachtas Essay Competition

Launch of Oireachtas Essay Competition 2024/25 in Leinster House on Thursday 10th October 2024.

Please click on an image to enlarge:

Awards Ceremony / National and Regional Winners

The awards ceremony for the National and Regional winners was held in Leinster House on Friday, 2^nd May 2025. Students were joined by family members and representatives from their school communities.

Please click on an image to enlarge: