'Outstanding, truly impressive': Carlow school wins €1,000 in competition

Young readers and writers from across County Carlow were celebrated at a special awards ceremony for the Right to Read competition.

The ceremony was held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel on Tuesday.

Tinryland National School was announced as the overall winner of the competition, receiving a €1,000 voucher for Jones Business Systems.

The prize will support the school in further developing its learning resources and encouraging a love of reading among pupils.

The Right to Read programme is run in partnership with Carlow County Council, Carlow County Council Local Enterprise Office, Carlow Libraries, Carlow College and Carlow County Development Partnership.

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The competition invited pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th classes in participating Carlow primary schools to put pen to paper and celebrate their county.

It aims to promote reading and literacy as essential life skills and to support children and young people in developing a lasting love of books and storytelling.

Pupils were asked to write about their favourite Carlow business, what they would like to be when they grow up, their favourite author, and their favourite place or thing in Carlow.

The evening brought together families, teachers, local representatives and business leaders to recognise the creativity, imagination, and hard work of the young finalists.

All finalists received Love Carlow certificates recognising their achievement, with warm applause from the audience for every pupil who reached the final stage of the competition.

"The standard of writing on display was outstanding, and the way the pupils brought their favourite local businesses, places, and stories to life was truly impressive. Their creativity gives us great confidence in the future of our town and county, and I want to congratulate every pupil, teacher and school that took part," Leas Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr Daniel Pender, said.

Carlow Libraries’ Author in Residence, Caroline Busher, delivered an inspiring talk on the importance of telling your own story and the power of your imagination at the ceremony.

She encouraged pupils to see themselves as authors in their own right, reminding them that every idea and every voice matters.