Orla Connolly from Runnamoat National School was the runner-up in the recent Waterways Ireland “Young Journalist” Schools Competition.
The Young Journalist Schools Competition was launched at the annual INTO Congress in March and was open to entries from 4th – 6th Class (and Primary 5 – Primary 7) pupils throughout Ireland. It was based around the recorded interviews of people’s waterway memories and experiences and is a fantastic source of evidence of life in the past for school-children and historians alike.
Each entrant was asked to listen to a selection of short audio clips uploaded to our website then write a newspaper article based on the event described within their chosen clip. The response to the competition was extremely positive with over 50 high quality entries received from all over Ireland.
Orla’s article entitled ‘Tragic Waterways Accident’ really caught the attention of the Judges. It told the story of a tragic accident involving a young boy and reminds readers of the message to stay safe near the waterways.
The winner of the competition was Bernard Sweeney from St. Patrick’s Boys NS, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. His article entitled ‘Mishap with a Bathtub’ was about a flood at Shannon Harbour in Co. Offaly and the creative idea of one RIC man to get through the flood.
Orla has won a €25 One4all gift card for herself and one her Teacher Ann Carroll. Bernard won an iPad mini for his School along with a €50 One4all gift card for both himself and his teacher Noel McKeon.
Waterways Ireland wish to take this opportunity to thank everybody who took the time and effort to enter the competition.