The National Library is committed to fostering a greater awareness and appreciation of poetry in younger people. To this end, the Library, in association with Poetry Ireland, organises and hosts an annual poetry speaking competition, Poetry Aloud.

Originally entitled Yeats Aloud, this competition first ran in 2006 to coincide with the launch of the Library's exhibition Yeats: The Life & Works of WB Yeats. The competition seeks entries from students attending post-primary schools on the island of Ireland.

Three of our students, Hannah O’Loughlin (Transition Year), Blaithin McWalters and Susie McGagh (6th years) travelled with their teacher Ms. Grehan to compete in the galway heat of the compeition held in St. Enda’s, Galway. A large amount of students participated in three different categories: Junior, Intermediate and Senior. Each student had to recite a required poem and then a poem of their own choice from different anthologies. It was a nervewrecking experience for the students as they had to memorise and recite their poems in front of the large crowd.

Congratulations to all students on their wonderful performnce on the day, Hannah was highly recommended and Blaithin will now go on to the All-Ireland semi-finals in Wesley college in Dublin. She was one of the four students chosen to go forward to the next round.