There was great excitement in Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Drumfries on Friday last during the Tip O’Neill Schools Competition awards ceremony where the children, teachers and parents from the three schools participating in the competition, Saint Oran’s National School, Scoil Naomh Pádraig and Scoil Íosagáin, waited with bated breath to hear the winners announced.
An Cathaoirleach Cllr. Terence Slowey, Joe McHugh T.D. Minister for the Diaspora and Overseas Development, Seamus Neely, Chief Executive, Donegal County Council and Peter McLaughlin Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award committee member were among the special guests attending the event.
The Tip O’Neill Schools Competition is based on the life and times of Tip O’Neill and on emigration.
74 entries were received from the participating schools for this year’s competition.
Cllr. Terence Slowey
An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Terence Slowey congratulated all the students who took part saying “it is plain to see from the display here today that there are many talented children in these schools. Every piece exhibited here tells its own story of emigration, heartbreak, success and diaspora”.
Minister Joe McHugh
Minister Joe McHugh agreed and spoke to the children about the pieces of art on display depicting ships crossing the Atlantic in the 1800s and reminded them that it took six weeks to travel by ship from Donegal to America when all it takes today is 8 to 9 hours by air.
He talked about the Diaspora and why they left their native homes to make a better life for themselves in another country. He mentioned how hardworking and skilled the Irish people are and that it stands to them everywhere they go today.
Minister Joe McHugh then proceeded to present the winners with their certificates and book token prizes as follows:
1 st Prize – Sean Bradley, Scoil Naomh Pádraig
2 nd Prize – Shannen McDermott, Saint Oran’s National School
3rd Prize – Amy McCann, Scoil Íosagáin
8 Highly – Commended:
Highly Commended – Francesca Hall, Scoil Naomh Pádraig
Highly Commended – Cassie Sheehy, Saint Oran’s National School
Highly Commended – Sofia Fullerton, Saint Oran’s National School
Highly Commended – Nicole Duffy, Saint Oran’s National School
Highly Commended – Kelly Harkin, Saint Oran’s National School
Highly Commended – Cian O’Donnell, Saint Oran’s National School
Highly Commended – Laura Szymanska, Scoil Íosagáin
Highly Commended – Erin Fullerton, Saint Oran’s National School
Cllr. Terence Slowey concluded the ceremony by thanking all those who participated as well as those who organised the competition in particular Geraldine Mc Hugh, Executive Librarian with Donegal Library Service who co-ordinated the competition and arranged for the staff of Cultural Services in Donegal Council to adjudicate all 74 entries.
