Literary stars emerge: Winners revealed in Carlow primary schools short story contest

6th Class 1st Place             Seana O'Neill - Myshall NS

Together, Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office and Carlow County Library held their first Right to Read Primary School Short Story Competition. 

The short story competition invited fifth and sixth class students to write about their favourite local business and what career they would like to have in the future and why.

In total, seventeen schools across Carlow participated in the short story competition: Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Tullow, St Columba’s National School Tullow, Bennekerry National School, St. Joseph’s National School Hacketstown, Leighlinbridge National School, Myshall National School, Carlow National School, Scoil Mhuire gan Smál Green Lane Carlow, St Patrick’s National School Rathvilly, Ballinabranna National School, Ballon National School, St Brigid’s National School Muine Bheag, St. Brigid’s National School Clonegal, Tinryland National School Carlow, Scoil Molaise Old Leighlin, Rathoe National School and St Brigid’s National School Grange.

Two-hundred and ninety-two applications entered while twenty-six were shortlisted. Each shortlist received a Certificate of and €20.00 Love Carlow Voucher.

The three overall winners from fifth class and three overall winners from sixth class were presented with a Love Carlow voucher. The first prize winner received a €200 Love Carlow voucher, the second prize winner was awarded a €150 Love Carlow voucher, and the third prize winner received a €100 Love Carlow voucher.

The sixth class winners:          

6th Class 1st Place             Seana O'Neill - Myshall NS

6th Class 2nd Place            Kate Butler - Hacketstown NS

6th Class 3rd Place             James Broughan - St Bridget's NS Muinebheag

The fifth class winners:            

5th Class 1st Place             Orlaith Keating - Myshall NS

5th Class 2nd Place            Charlie Carter - Ballinabranna NS

5th Class 3rd Place             Tori MacDonnell - Carlow NS

Opening the Awards ceremony, Cllr. Tom O’Neill, Mayor of Carlow said ‘The Right to Read Campaign is more than just a program; it is a manifestation of our dedication to providing a nationally coordinated framework for literacy support, aligning with the principles outlined in the Programme for Government. This campaign is an integrated approach that complements existing programs, ensuring continuity in literacy development beyond the formal education setting’. Cllr. O’Neill concluded by saying ‘a message for our young people here tonight. You see, each one of you is a shining star with boundless potential and unique talents. As a society, it is our duty to provide you with the tools and opportunities needed to turn those talents into something extraordinary. That tool, my friends, is education’.

Speaking about the campaign Melissa Doyle, Business Advisor, Carlow Local Enterprise Office said ‘We received 292 Applications with seventeen Primary Schools in Carlow taking part with one-hundred and fifty-one applications in sixth class and one-hundred and forty-one applications in fifth class. The awards night is a celebration of the dedication and hard work exhibited by our primary school students. We are immensely proud of the creativity and imagination displayed by the students in this year's Short Story Competition. This event not only highlights their literary talents but also reinforces the importance of fostering a love for reading and storytelling from a young age’.