Trust has organised an essay competition for Transition Year students. The topic to be addressed, in Irish or English, is "The Outsider", in an essay with a maximum of 500 words. (No minimum applies - one compelling paragraph that throws new light or makes us think about what it is to be an Outsider, however you define him or her, can win!)
Five prizes will be awarded by the adjudicators. One overall winner will receive a laptop computer with a £100 book/music token. Four runner-up prizes will also be awarded, each consisting of a mini-disc player plus book/music tokens each also worth £100.
The overall prize will be awarded to the best entry in Irish or English. However, one of the runner-up prizes will also be reserved for the best entry in Irish.
A distinguished panel have generously given of their time to help select the winners: Micheal O Siadhail, leading poet and author of the poem; Sylda Langford, assistant secretary, Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform; Padraig O'Morain, journalist, The Irish Times; Catherine Clancy, chief superintendent for community relations, Garda Siochana; John Quinn, radio producer and broadcaster on education issues; Mary Freehill, city councillor, former Lord Mayor of Dublin; Caitlin Ui Fhearghail, former head of the Irish department at the Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf; Rory Guinness, businessman involved in environment and social projects; Gerry Jeffers: lecturer, education department NUI Maynooth and former co-ordinator, Transition Year Curriculum Support Service; Alice Leahy of Trust; Anne Daly, coproducer of A Fragile City; Tony O'Gorman, schools inspector and chairman of Moyross Probation Project, Limerick.
Entries will be accepted in Irish or English by post or e-mail. Please include the name of your school and your own home address. Each entry must be your own original work and be produced unaided by anyone else to ensure everyone has an equal chance of winning. The closing date is January 31, 2001. For complete rules see www.trustireland.ie.
