ÉIRÍ: Winning Schools

Prizes of 500 euros have now been awarded to five schools who submitted entries to the recent arts competition celebrating the resilient female characters abounding in Irish mythological stories.

Prizes were awarded to schools, rather than to individual students allowing for a range of differing creative responses including single entries, multiple entries from a number of different class groups as well as collaborative class projects. The winning schools also included both primary and secondary level classes.

All the school entries were judged by a panel of scientists, mathematicians, poets, artists, writers, teachers and more. All commented on the thoughtfulness and choice of the artwork and the time, effort and skill involved in its creation.

The winning entries were extremely varied and imaginative. Aoibheann and the students of West Cork Sudbury School chose to create a lively and characterful sculpture of the Cailleach Bheara using upcycled and natural materials, representing the change and renewal of the seasons.

To view the story about the Cailleach Bheara and how she was was constructed, click here.

Kathlyn Roche, representing her school, Coláiste Fionnchua, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, painted a powerful representation of Badb, the battle crow who presides over conflict.

To read Kathlyn’s description of her painting, click here.

Rang Three from Ennis CBS, in Co Clare, with their teacher Brian Spring created an informative presentation, inspired by the character of Gráinne, exploring local history and sun symbolism in terms of placenames, flags as well as the importance of the sun to all plant and animal life.

To view the full Google Slide Presentation click here

Sixth class in a second Ennis national school also created a video presentation but they chose to explore Macha carefully explaining how and why they had selected the most suitable symbols to create their imaginative portrayal of her.

 Paula Glynn from St. Cuans College, Castleblakeney, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway submitted a number of her students, inspired by a wide variety of Irish mythological female characters including, Aine, Macha, Airmid, and Brig. Many were accompanied by very thoughtful descriptions and titles. So many imaginarive and evocative pictures. However, we could only award the school one prize!

Read notes provided by students and teachers about the artwork

In their accompanying letters, several teachers commented on the enthusiasm and excitement of the students as they actively engaged with these wonderful Irish stories and on how they would value more projects of this kind.

Through his investigations, of a number of world mythologies using network mathematics, Professor Ralph Kenna, the founder of the ÉIRÍ Arts project, has demonstrated evidence that positive action and agency of women characters in the Irish mythological stories is stronger than is found in many others.  The entries submitted to the ÉIRÍ suggest that the students agree. These are stories still worth the telling.