National Heritage Week

All Winners

Adult Category:

Winner – ‘Poolbeg at Dusk’ taken by Alex Kearns from Finglas.

Runners Up – ‘Carlow Filling Station’ by Jarleth Judge from Bunclody, Wexford and ‘Gingersnap’ by Greg Mathews from Palmerstown, Dublin.

Youth Category:

Winner – ‘Askeaton Friary’ by Dearbhail O’Boyle aged 13 from Belfast

Runner Up – ‘Desmond Castle Adare’ by Cian O’Halloran aged 17 from Patrickswell, Limerick

Junior Category:

Winner – ‘Sean Ballai’ (Old Walls) by Katie Feeney, aged 11 from Inverin, Co. Galway

Runners Up – 'The Lion at the Casino by Darragh Callaghan, aged 7 from Darndale, Dublin 17 and ‘Eight sided skylight’ in St. Andrew’s Church, Mount Merrion by Rohan Tyrrell aged 9 from Clonsilla, Dublin 15

POOLBEG CHIMNEYS, ASKEATON FRIARY & BALLAI OF SPIDDAL WIN TOP PRIZES IN NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK BUILT HERITAGE PHOTO COMPETITION

A picture of the Poolbeg Chimney’s by Alex Kearns from Finglas has been awarded the top prize in the 2012 National Heritage Week Photography Competition, announced today by the Heritage Council coordinators of the week.

Speaking about the competition, Michael Starrett, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council said “National Heritage Week 2012 focused on celebrating our built heritage. The photo competition has been a great success with over 1300 images entered. We were delighted to receive so many stunning pictures of our built heritage”.

Adult Category (21+)
	The photo entitled ‘Poolbeg at Dusk’ which won the Adult Category (21+) was taken by Alex Kearns from Finglas. The picture illustrates the two chimneys at Poolbeg which are symbolic signs of Dublin and of home for many leaving and returning to Dublin on planes or boats.
Youth Category (Youth 13-20 years)
	Winner of the Youth Category (Youth 13-20 years) was Dearbhail O’Boyle; aged 13 from Belfast with her picture of Askeaton Friary.
Junior Category (Junior 7-12 years)
	Winner of the Junior Category (Junior 7-12 years) was Katie Feeney; aged 11 from Inverin, Co. Galway with her picture of Sean Ballai (Old Walls) take in Spiddal.

“A big thank you to our judging committee who has spent a lot of time going through the all of the entries we received. It is fantastic to see the enthusiasm and passion for heritage expressed through these images. 2012 was the most successful National Heritage Week to date with nearly 1600 events taking place and a significant rise in attendance figures reported nationwide.

We are delighted to announce that the dates for National Heritage Week 2013 have been set for the 17th – 25th August 2012. To get updates on all of our plans for next year, log on to www.heritageweek.ie or follow us on Facebook and Twitter”, added Mr. Starrett.

Prizes are divided among the three categories. The top prize in the adult category of a €500 voucher kindly provided by the Irish Landmark Trust to stay in one of their unique and beautiful properties is sure to be of interest for anyone planning a staycation or a short break! Additional prizes include a, €150 One4All gift voucher, €75 One4All gift voucher, €55 euro Family Heritage Card, €50 Easons vouchers and €30 Easons vouchers.