DNLF Primary Schools Poetry Competition Highly Commended Third and Fourth Class, back row: Margaret Folan (DNLF), Melanie Scott (Arts Officer, Tipperary County Council), Cllr Dr Phyll Bugler (Cathaoirleach, Nenagh MD), Rosemary Joyce (District Administrator, Nenagh MD), Eileen Sheehan (Poet and Judge). Front row: Evelyn Sundramurthi (Fourth Class, Gaelscoil Urmhumhan), Seán Harrington (Third Class, Ballinaclough NS), Clodagh Hassett (Third Class, Bishop Harty NS), Harry Mulligan (Fourth Class, Carrig NS). Absent from photo – Molly Kennedy Butler (Fourth Class, Silvermines NS) Aodhan James Killackey (Third Class Kilruane NS). PHOTOs: ODHRAN DUCIE

Celebrating Tipp's young poets

Children’s poetry competition winners

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DNLF Primary Schools Poetry Competition Highly Commended Third and Fourth Class, back row: Margaret Folan (DNLF), Melanie Scott (Arts Officer, Tipperary County Council), Cllr Dr Phyll Bugler (Cathaoirleach, Nenagh MD), Rosemary Joyce (District Administrator, Nenagh MD), Eileen Sheehan (Poet and Judge). Front row: Evelyn Sundramurthi (Fourth Class, Gaelscoil Urmhumhan), Seán Harrington (Third Class, Ballinaclough NS), Clodagh Hassett (Third Class, Bishop Harty NS), Harry Mulligan (Fourth Class, Carrig NS). Absent from photo – Molly Kennedy Butler (Fourth Class, Silvermines NS) Aodhan James Killackey (Third Class Kilruane NS). PHOTOs: ODHRAN DUCIE Odhran Ducie

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DNLF Primary Schools Poetry Competition Highly Commended Fifth and Sixth Class, back row: Margaret Folan (DNLF), Melanie Scott (Arts Officer, Tipperary County Council), Cllr Dr Phyll Bugler (Cathaoirleach, Nenagh MD), Rosemary Joyce (District Administrator, Nenagh MD), Eileen Sheehan (Poet and Judge). Front row: Fiadh Harty (Sixth Class, Gaelscoil Urmhumhan), David Dementiev (Fifth Class, Nenagh CNS), Jack Ryan (Sixth Class, Kilruane NS), Frances Blackburn (Fifth Class Kilruane NS). Absent from photo – Keelin De Breit (Sixth Class, Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan), Mia Hanrahan (Sixth Class, Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan). Odhran Ducie

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DNLF Primary Schools Poetry Competition, Fifth and Sixth Class winners, back row: Margaret Folan (DNLF), Melanie Scott (Arts Officer, Tipperary County Council), Cllr Phyll Bugler, Rosemary Joyce (District Administrator, Nenagh MD). Front row: Emily Molloy (Carrig NS), first place, Eileen Sheehan (Poet and Judge), Clodagh Lynch (Carrig NS), second place. Absent from photo: Lola Rose Moten (St Mary’s Convent Primary School), third place. Odhran Ducie

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DNLF Primary Schools Poetry Competition Fifth and Sixth Class winners, back row: Margaret Folan (DNLF), Melanie Scott (Arts Officer, Tipperary County Council), Cllr Dr Phyll Bugler (Cathaoirleach, Nenagh MD), Rosemary Joyce (District Administrator, Nenagh MD). Front row: Cathal Corcoran (Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan), second place, Maria McLoughlin (Portroe NS), first place, Emma Rose Scanlan (Kilruane NS), third place. Odhran Ducie

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DNLF Primary Schools Poetry Competition Additional Needs Award, back row: Margaret Folan (DNLF), Melanie Scott (Arts Officer, Tipperary County Council), Cllr Dr Phyll Bugler (Cathaoirleach, Nenagh MD), Rosemary Joyce (District Administrator, Nenagh MD). Front row: Priya King (Lissenhall NS), first place, Eileen Sheehan (Poet and Judge), Róisin Conroy (Kilruane NS), second place. Absent from photo: TJ Tierney (Kilruane NS), third place. Odhran Ducie

Published: Tue 18 Nov 2025, 8:43 AM

The awards ceremony for this year’s primary schools poetry competition held in association with the Dromineer-Nenagh Literary Arts Festivaltook place at Nenagh Tourist Office recently. It has always been one of the highlight of the festival to hear the words of our young writers. ‘Horses’ was the theme chosen by our judge, Kerry-based poet, Eileen Sheehan.

Once again, Eileen received almost 600 entries from Third to Sixth Class pupils and set about the mammoth task of choosing winners and highly commended in three categories. The poems arrive to Eileen accompanied by the most fabulous artwork, further displaying the wealth of creativity evident in our primary schools. The enthusiasm for participation and support of the festival is very much appreciated by the festival committee and to hear the work read at the awards ceremony is truly wonderful for the children and their families.

The festival committee team are very grateful to Eileen Sheehan for her huge commitment to this project. They were delighted to welcome Cllr Dr Phyll Bugler (Cathaoirleach Nenagh Municipal District), Melanie Scott (Arts Officer, Tipperary County Council) Teresa Hogan (Arts Office) and Rosemary Joyce (District Administrator, Nenagh Municipal District) to share in this very special occasion. The competition is generously sponsored by John and Catherine Ryan of The Nenagh Bookshop.

It was great to see so many family members and friends there to support the children and huge thanks to Victoria Lee for her warm welcome in hosting the event.