Jack brings national award success back to Courtnacuddy
A PRIMARY school pupil in Courtnacuddy National School has shown he has the eye and skill for photography after securing first place in a prestigious national competition.
Jack Kelly-Sharkey (7), from Courtnacuddy, won first place in the junior category in Ireland’s National School Photography Awards (INSPA).
The theme for this year’s awards was ‘Second Life’ and Jack’s entry for the competition was ‘Old Phone Box Library’, which earned him first place.
The INSPA is the national children’s photography competition and online academy and is open to all primary schools across the country.
It wasn’t the first taste of success with the INSPA for Jack, as he entered the organisation’s online themes initiative during lockdown and won the weekly challenge on patterns.
Speaking to this newspaper Jack’s mam, Tina, said he was delighted with his success and didn’t expect to win.
‘He never dreamt he would win and he was delighted to get his photo back framed,’ she said.
Jack also received a certificate and a main prize of a camera and accessory pack, along with a meal for four.
His school also got a copy of his photo, winner’s cert, camera and accessory pack.
Tina said Jack was ‘shocked but delighted’ to win the junior category.
‘He has a keen interest in taking pictures and was so delighted to have won the junior category,’ she said.
Tina praised his teacher, Gillian O’Shea-Delaney, who she said encourages the children to enter the competition.
Emily Howlin was also a finalist for the school in the senior category.