Young Creative Talent Shines at 2026 Competitions
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
A remarkable display of creativity, imagination and artistic skill was celebrated at the 2026 Arts Competitions, with young participants from clubs across the county showcasing their talents in Art, Handwriting and Model Making.
The annual event attracted entries from a wide range of age groups, with competitors representing clubs including Lakeside, Rathdrum, Aughrim/Annacurra, Ashford/Glenealy, Westside, Arklow and Baltinglass. The standard of work was described by judges as exceptionally high, making the selection of winners a challenging task.
In the Art competitions, Lakeside enjoyed a particularly successful year, securing multiple first-place finishes. Among the standout winners were Alyssa Bohan (U10 Girls), Freya Coughlan (U12 Girls), Aislinn Bailey (U14 Girls) and Noah Duggan (U14 Boys). Eilis Butler Gubbins of Rathdrum claimed the U8 Girls title, while Paidi Barnes from Aughrim/Annacurra took first place in the U8 Boys category. Westside also celebrated victories through Conor Doyle Fisher (U10 Boys) and Jack Swift (U12 Boys).
The Handwriting competition highlighted the dedication and precision of participants, with winners emerging from across the region. Natalia Kuzio of Arklow secured first place in the U10 Girls category, while Adam Piorkowski of Rathdrum topped the U10 Boys section. Aoibhinn McHugh from Baltinglass won the U12 Girls title, and Luke Genogaling of Rathdrum achieved first place in U12 Boys. Lakeside continued its impressive run with victories for May Whelan in U14 Girls and Riley Fox in U14 Boys.
The Model Making competition showcased ingenuity and craftsmanship among the younger participants. Lakeside again featured prominently, with Shauna Schofield winning the U10 Girls category and Caoimhe Schofield claiming the U14 Girls title. Maebh McDermott of Aughrim/Annacurra secured first place in the U12 Girls section, while Luan O'Neill Reid of Aughrim/Annacurra and Toby Clancy of Lakeside emerged victorious in the boys' categories.
Organisers praised all entrants for their hard work and creativity, noting that the competitions continue to provide an important platform for young people to develop and showcase their artistic abilities. Parents, leaders and supporters were also thanked for encouraging participants throughout the year.
With another successful competition completed, attention now turns to next year's event, where organisers hope to build on the growing enthusiasm and outstanding standard of entries seen in 2026.
Full Results available here
