Seachtain na Gaeilge Library Card Design Competition Winners
Wicklow County Council Library Service is delighted to announce the winners of its Seachtain na Gaeilge Library Card Design Competition, celebrated at a special prize-giving ceremony held at Greystones Library on Thursday, 12th March.
This year's competition, part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge program, invited primary and secondary school students from across County Wicklow to design a limited-edition library card inspired by the theme: ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge - Wicklow: Our Stunning Landscapes, Culture, Heritage, and Creativity’
The initiative provided a unique opportunity for young artists to have their work printed and distributed on 2,000 official library cards throughout the county in 2026.
After receiving an impressive number of entries showcasing the creativity and artistic talent of Wicklow’s youth, two overall winners were selected:
- Amélie Evans won in the primary school category
- Lucy Finnegan took the top prize in the secondary school category
- Runners-up included Max Nolan (primary) and Lily Lockhart (secondary)
The competition was judged by local author and illustrator Alan Nolan, who presented the awards to the students during the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, representatives from Wicklow County Council Library Service praised the exceptionally high standard of entries and the enthusiasm shown by participating schools. Students were warmly supported on the day by library staff, school staff, parents and grandparents, making the celebration a proud community occasion.
The Wicklow Library Service extends heartfelt thanks to all students, teachers, and schools that participated, as well as to Alan Nolan for judging the competition.
County Librarian Margaret Birchall stated, “The competition entries were of an exceptionally high standard, clearly reflecting the effort and imagination students put into their designs. It’s very meaningful for children and young people to see their work displayed in this way and to know their design will be used by library members across the county. A library card is often a young person’s first step into the world of books and learning, and having one designed by their peers sends a positive and inspiring message.”
Theresa O’Brien, Director of Services for Climate, Environment, Recreation, and Amenity, added, “Our library service has a long and positive connection with schools across County Wicklow. Initiatives like this competition strengthen those links and give students a chance to engage creatively with their local libraries. It is also very fitting that the competition forms part of Seachtain na Gaeilge, celebrating the Irish language and our shared culture. Wicklow County Council is proud to support the continued use and visibility of Irish through programmes like this.”