Colourful entries for Brigid of Faughart art competition

THE art competition for schools organised in conjunction with the Brigid of Faughart festival attracted a host of colourful entries from local pupils.

This was the first time that the festival had organised a schools’ art competition.

The pupils were asked to create a portrait of a modern day Saint Brigid and how she would look now in the 21st century.

The judges, Paul Hayes, director of An Tain Arts Centre, local artists Sophie Coyle amd Caoilfhinn O’Hanlon and

Mary Capliss, Arts Officer, Louth County Council, had the difficult task of choosing six prize-winners.

The overall winner and five runners-up were presented with their prizes of their portraits professionally framed at a ceremony in An Tain Arts Centre on Saturday February 1.

The works also went on display in Dundalk Library and today (Tuesday) is the last chance to see them.

The overall winner was Blasket Class, teachers Mrs McCabe and Mrs Swords, St Brigid’s School while the runners-up were Niamh Loughran, Dunlargy NS, 6th Class, teacher - Mrs Matthews; JP McKeown, Dunlargy NS, 6th Class, teacher - Mrs Matthews; Rós Ní Chonchúir, Gaelscoil Dhún Dealgan, 6th Class, teacher - Ms Ni Ghealbhán; Brandon Dolan, St. Brigids, Inisturk Class, teacher - Mrs Byrne; Emer Douglas, Scoil Phádraig, 5th Class, teacher - Ms Callan.

St. Brigid’s School group award winners Arturis Simkute, Kevin Trainer, Aaron Morgan, Anastasia Ioakeim and Tadgh McConville with their painting after receiving their award from Roisin Cotter, Dolores Whelan, Mary Capplis and Paul Hayes.

Award winner Niamh Loughran from Dulargy NS with Paul Hayes.

JP McKeown from Dulargy NS with Dolores Whelan at the Brigid of Faughart 2020 Art Competition held in An Táin. Pictures: Ken Finegan/ Newspics

Award winner Emer Douglas, Kilcurry NS with Roisin Cotter at the Brigid of Faughart 2020 Art Competition held in An Táin.