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.
best overall entry junior cycle
pádraig mac donnacha, coláiste cholmchille, indreabhán, galway
senior cycle runner up
oluchukwu uwechue, st joseph's college, lucan, dublin
junior cycle runner up
hannah curtain, midleton college, cork
best special class entry
james moore mac donnacha, coláiste cholmchille, indreabhán, galway
best poem
amy walsh, st. mary's college, naas, kildare
"Flag of Peace"
It was given to us in 1848
By a group of French women
It was a symbol of peace, not of hate
To show the united land we could live in
With unrest and difference plaguing the streets
The Catholics and Protestants fought
Opinions differed, they could not meet
And agree on the peace they ought
With orange and green representing the sides
And white standing for truce
The power of the flag could not be denied
On cloth, unity was introduced.
Today the goals of this flag
Feel more true than ever
In Ireland, inclusivity will never lag
Reject people’s differences we would never
The flag sees no colour
Doesn't judge orientation
As we care for each other
In this kind nation.
The flag cannot see background
It always accepts your faith
There is not a single bound
To the connection the flag creates
They travel through our rivers
And walk along our streets
A message of hope it delivers
With acceptance to those it meets.
It was given to us in 1848
By a group of French women
Our flag embodies what the people create
A peaceful place to live in.
best essay
anne grundy, st. louis secondary school, monaghan
WHAT THE IRISH FLAG MEANS TO ME IN 2022
best artwork
sadhbh sheehy, pobalscoil inbhear sceine, kenmare, kerry
best video/audio clip - joint winners
cbc monkstown park, dunlaoghaire, dublin
TAR ABHAILE 2022 - Celebrating the irish flag
Available at the following youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjtyW6THMsY
robyn appelbe, sacred heart clonakilty, cork
video link
best music/song/dance
audrey ryan and hannah scarlett, presentation listowel, kerry
Available at the following youtube link: https://youtu.be/IwR5uN7tfRk
best social media (instagram) - joint winners
yulia seale & annija vanaga, coláiste muire mathair, galway
zofia gorska , coláiste muire mathair, galway