Laois students though to finals of national competition
Isabel O'Leary who was one of the finalists in this year's 2024 'Poetry Aloud' competition being present with her certificate by the Director of the National Library of Ireland Dr Audrey Whitty.
PORTLAOISE College students Catherine Graham and Isabel O’Leary have been recognised as finalists in the ‘2024 Poetry Aloud’ competition.
The competition challenges second-level students across the island of Ireland to recite a prescribed poem from memory.
Catherine and Isabel were among the 358 students who entered this year’s competition and who emerged as the 29 finalists.
The competition was organised by the National Library of Ireland (NLI) and Poetry Ireland, in partnership with University College Cork.
The late poet Seamus Heaney was a supporter of the Poetry Aloud competition, citing the extraordinary way in which it seeks to celebrate the joy of speaking and listening to poetry, as well valuing the North-South dimension to the all-island event.
Director of the National Library of Ireland Dr Audrey Whitty said: “Poetry Aloud is a powerful celebration of spoken word, which brings young people from across the island of Ireland together to breathe fresh life into the work of Ireland’s greatest poets.”
Director of Poetry Ireland Liz Kelly said: “We are delighted to once again work with colleagues at the National Library of Ireland, UCC and schools all over Ireland. Poetry Ireland is committed to connecting people with poetry and to increasing accessibility for people of all ages and backgrounds.”
This year’s judging panel included Dr Audrey Whitty, Director of the National Library of Ireland, Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, and Anne Tannam, Poetry Ireland’s Poet in Residence.
