awards & Scholarship winners
"the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation were once again thrilled with number and quality of the entries to this year's Awards and scholarship programme 2023. the young people of Ireland clearly understand the meaning and relevance of the irish tricolour Flag's symbolism in this most special of years - the 175th anniversary of the first flying of the irish flag.
The message of inclusion and Peace was expressed with real creativity in each of the award categories. the number of entries we received far exceeded that of past years and we are very proud of all students for the passion they have shown this year, way beyond our expectations.
we also would like to sincerely thank you - our students' educators for encouraging your students to take part in the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation annual awards and learn about the history and important message of peace behind the Irish Flag."
revD. canon Michael Cavanagh, Chair of the tfm Foundation.
OVERALL / scholarship winner
Ciara corcoran - coláiste cois siuire, mooncoin, co. kilkenny
The overall winning entry is the song: "irish flag" Written and performed by 6th year student ciara corcoran. LINK TO SONG HERE.
Best overall entry junior cycle
mailí de cléir, coláiste cholmchille indreabhán, galway
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Awards & Scholarship winners
"We of the Thomas Meagher Foundation were delighted with the number and quality of the entries to the Scholarship and Awards programme 2022. It is clear that the young people of Ireland are increasingly aware of the meaning and relevance of the Flag's symbolism in this decade of commemoration. The message of Unity and Peace was expressed with real creativity in each of the award categories - and it was particularly pleasing to see the number of entries from people from other birth nations who were eager to identify with Meagher's vision”.
Michael Cavanagh, Chair
scholarship winner
donal, hakim, olumide, wiktor - nagle community college, mahon, cork
The overall winning entry is a song: 'Children of the Flag' Written and performed by three 6th year students: Donal Ojiekhudu, Hakim Ali and Olumide Ogunlela from Nagle Community College Video filmed and edited by 6th year student Wiktor Owczarek. Available at the following youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgZRSj-M-Dk
Best overall entry senior cycle
jan ronan macatangay, coláiste muire mathair, galway
The Irish flag means and symbolises countless things to me. When I think about it in 2022, there are many pictures and words that come to my mind regarding it.
At the bottom on the art piece, we notice many different flags and hands of different races and ethnicities. This resembles unity and inclusion of many different countries and nationalities now living and working in Ireland. Today, I see an Ireland that fully embraces its diversity. It is at the bottom of the art piece as it portrays the foundation and the pillar of Ireland.
On the right, we see construction and roadwork. This symbolises how Ireland built itself into a wealthy and thriving country today. In the past Ireland went through great hardships and economic depressions in its history including the Famine, the 1930s Economic War, and the 1950s was an era known as ‘the disappearing Irish’.
On the left, we lay our eyes upon the much-talked about Covid-19 pandemic. We see a sense of intuition and innovation with the creation and distribution of vaccines in Ireland. Above that we also have famous drawings of traditional Irish emblems. These include the shamrock, the harp, the 4 leafed shamrock and of course hurling, Ireland’s famous sport.
Back to the middle of the poster, above the unity symbol we can spot a white dove. This white dove portrays peace in Ireland (which is what the white in the Irish flag also resembles.) The white dove also shows that Ireland and Irish people are pacifists and a friendly nation.
In front of the Irish flag we have our front line workers. These are the essential people without whose tireless efforts and hard work, we may have not entered 2022 safely or happily.
These front line workers include the medical workers, the Irish military and the Gardaí of Ireland. They stand in front of the flag because they are proud of their accomplishments and how they serve Ireland.
Last but most importantly, we notice the sun at the very top of the drawing. The bright sunset portrays the entirety of Ireland and its people. The sun peeking over the flag and everything resembles the hope and strength of the Irish during everything that we have experienced and gone through from the famine times to the current pandemic. Without our hope and strength, Ireland and its flag wouldn’t have flown quite so high. I am so proud of its impact on the world today.
This is what the Irish flag means to me in 2022.
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Gracie Friel Artist - SCHOLARSHIP WINNER - scoil mhuire buncrana
"This year and last year have been more challenging than I ever thought they could be, with countless people being affected and taken by the obscenity of Covid 19. People have endured mass suffering and pain both physically and emotionally, facing illness, isolation from those they love, and unfortunately grief .
I tried to encapsulate this within my piece, sketching an elderly man being taken care of by a nurse. On her face she wears a mask displaying the Irish flag, her loving nature a symbol of our country in whole.
During these harsh and historic times, Ireland has successfully and without hesitation stood tall and showcased strength in the face of the unknown. We have obeyed by the rules to keep ourselves, but most importantly others safe, and it is this sense of loyalty and togetherness that makes me so proud to belong to the Irish tricolour. I feel that in 2021, what the Irish flag means to me is strength, compassion, unity and above all else, is love"
