Galway Student Shay Collins Wins Big at Poetry Aloud Competition

UPDATE: A student from Galway has achieved remarkable success at the all-island Poetry Aloud competition, held this week at the National Library of Ireland. Shay Collins, a second-level student from Glenamaddy Community School, was named runner-up in the Senior Category, receiving a €100 book token and a certificate presented by Dr. Audrey Whitty, Director of the NLI.

Collins’ schoolmate, Evan Fahey, also made a significant impact as a finalist during the competition, highlighting the talent emerging from their school. This year’s event attracted 328 entries from schools across the island, culminating in a thrilling final featuring 20 finalists from 13 counties, ranging from Antrim to Kerry.

Participants recited the previously unpublished poem Those Winter Evenings by the late Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, from his recently published collection The Poems of Seamus Heaney. The competition underscores Heaney’s legacy, as he was a strong supporter of the event, which celebrates the joy of poetry and the North-South connection on the island.

“Poetry Aloud is a joyful celebration of the beauty to be found in speaking and listening to poetry,” stated Dr. Audrey Whitty. “We are privileged to hear students from all over the island recite their poems with such heartfelt expression and thoughtful interpretation,” she added.

The judging panel this year included Dr. Whitty, Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, and poet John Fitzgerald, who is also an Adjunct Professor at University College Cork.

This significant achievement not only showcases Shay Collins’ talent but also highlights the vibrant literary culture thriving in Galway and across Ireland. Students’ participation in events like Poetry Aloud fosters a love for literature and public speaking, making it essential for educational development.

As the competition wraps up, the spotlight remains on these young poets, with future opportunities for budding talent to emerge. Keep an eye on Galway’s literary scene as more young voices continue to rise, inspired by the legacy of great poets like Heaney.