Congratulations to the TY students in Castlerea Community School on their great success in the RTE Schools Playwright Competition 2024. The objective of this competition is to challenge TY students to write a one act play (2,000 words) on a given theme. Nine students from our school accepted the challenge and each wrote their own script on the theme of “ Home”. They were thrilled to learn recently that Alena Healy Lloyd was placed in the top six in Ireland for her play “Tough Choices” and Alice Bruen and Michaela O’ Flanagan were both shortlisted in the top sixteen in Ireland. This was a wonderful achievement for our school, and CCS are immensely proud of Alena, Alice and Michaela.
Theyattended the awards ceremony and final on Monday 29th April in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone when the final placement order was revealed. Alena was thrilled to come in 5th place as over 100 scripts were entered this year. Alena was delighted to be interviewed by Barry Gallagher, presenter and reporter with RTE news2day and much to his delight she revealed that her passion is to follow in his footsteps and pursue a career in radio and broadcasting.
The guest speaker Dr. Christa de Brun, lecturer, writer and poet commended all the participants on their creativity and ability to write such powerful and riveting dramas at such a young age. She reminded them that William Shakespeare was twenty-five when he wrote his first drama, so she urged them to keeping writing and being creative.
Huge thanks to Athlone and Castlerea Credit Union for sponsoring the prizes presented to the top sixteen students. Thanks also to the TY English teachers Ms. Larkin and Ms. Gormally for mentoring the students and to Ms. Ryan (Principal) for her continued support.
Alice Bruen, Alena Healy Lloyd and Michaela O’ Flanagan pictured with their English Teachers Ms. Larkin and Ms. Gormally, and Ms. E Ryan (Principal) after being presented with their certificates at the RTE Schools Playwright Competition 2024 in Athlone. Also in the photo is Clare Mulvihill, Athlone and Castlerea Credit Union and Regina Bushell, Festival Director.
TY Students together with their English Teachers, Ms. Larkin and Ms. Gormally at the RTE Schools Playwright Competition 2024 in Athlone.