Confey College student wins inaugural Leinster Regional Oireachtas Essay Competition

Confey Community College student Senan Corr landed the prize for best essay in Leinster at the inaugural Oireachtas Essay Competition prizegiving in Leinster House on Friday, March 10.

Senan received his prize from Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghail TD, at a ceremony attended by the winning students, their parents/guardians, teachers, as well as Competition judges and sponsors. The prizegiving ceremony was followed by lunch and a tour of Leinster House.

The Competition, sponsored by book publishers and distributors Eason, Folens and CJ Fallon, was devised by Independent NUI Senator Rónán Mullen with the support of An Ceann Comhairle and the Oireachtas Education Unit.

Senior Cycle (5th and 6th Year) and AS/A Level students across the Island of Ireland were invited to submit essays in Irish or English on the theme ‘Parliamentary Politics Matters’ or ‘Tábhacht na Polaitíochta Parlaiminte’. Over €4,500 in prizemoney went to the winners.

The judging panel were particularly impressed with the measured exploration of the development of parliamentary democracy in Senan’s winning essay.

Presenting the prizes, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said that greater engagement by young people with the political system was “vital for the health of our democracy and for our ability to overcome the many challenges we face at home and abroad.”

Senator Mullen said the “wave of interest” generated by the Competition among schools and students would “ensure the continuity of this Competition into future years.”