Wise wordsmith from County Kildare school wins regional speech writing final

A student from a North Kildare school has been chosen as one of the winners of the ActionTalks’ regional speech writing competition.

Shonagh Reilly, a student at Scoil Dara in Kilcock, will now go forward to the national finals in County Dublin in March.

The competition is run by ActionAid Ireland, which works with women and children across the world.

Commenting on the competition, Karol Balfe, the CEO of ActionAid Ireland, said: "We’re delighted to give young people an opportunity to research global issues and to speak out on topics that they care about.

"Ireland’s aid programme, funded by the Irish taxpayer, makes a huge contribution to development globally."

She continued: "Irish people care about global human rights and solidarity.

"It’s fantastic to see so many young people engage with important global topics like climate justice and women’s rights.  

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"It was very difficult choosing the winners of the regional final, as it was so clear how much effort young people put in.

"However, we’re delighted to see Shonagh go forward for the final, who’s speech on the topic of unpaid care work was well researched, well-crafted and delivered with panache," she concluded.

The ActionTalks competition, now in its tenth year, invites students across the country to investigate global social justice issues.

This year students wrote speeches on climate crisis, gender-based violence and unpaid care work.

ActionAid received 112 entries from 20 schools across 12 counties. 

As one of seven winners of the regional finals, Shonagh will now go on to the National Final which will be held in Dublin on March 20, 2024 and judged by a prestigious panel of judges. 

This competition is supported by Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs, as part of a women’s rights programme in Kenya, Nepal and Ethiopia.