Artsy students snatch prize in stroke of genius

After over 200 school entries and hundreds more applications the Fáilte Pope Francis competition has finally been announced and the awards will go to three lucky contestants from schools across Ireland.

Aoife Murphy (7) from Scoil Mhuire na nGael, Bay Estate in Dundalk scooped the grand prize of €1,000 euro after displaying a level of artistic prowess that launched her to first place.

Primary school contestants who entered The Irish Catholic’s competition were asked to draw a picture and write a letter of welcome to the Pope for his expected visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) in August.

In her letter Aoife, who is in 2nd class, wrote: “When Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, they had nowhere to stay. Have you somewhere to stay when you come to Ireland? We have a spare room in our house and you could meet all my family and friends from school.”

Speaking to the paper she said the Pope is “loving and caring like my Dad”, and that her Dad had met St John Paul II when he was 12.

Principle Martina Rafferty said Fáilte Pope Francis set the scene for the school thinking of the Pontiff’s visit to Ireland.

She said that by getting the children involved it also got families involved “because the children were going home and they were talking about it and thinking about it”.

The principle added that the school were “quietly confident” that Aoife would do well.

Second
 prize

Fionn Roche (9) from Christian Brothers Primary School in Doon, Co Limerick took second prize. The 4th-class student said his picture had both Argentinian and Irish flags in it with a crowd waving at Pope Francis.

In third place came eight-year-old Adam Phylan from 3rd class in Sacred Heart National School, Caim in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, whose drawing pictured Pope Francis’ travelling to Ireland on his plane.

He said he also “drew a family with one of them holding an Irish flag to represent Ireland”.

Adam’s teacher, Brendan Fitzpatrick, said it was “an excellent exercise”.

He said: “The whole class wrote a letter to Pope Francis welcoming him to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, Adam’s entry was then selected and put forward to The Irish Catholic for the art competition.

“Adam is an avid reader and has a serious interest in art and dinosaurs as well. It was no surprise to us that Adam’s entry was selected to be honest because he is an excellent artist and we’re very proud of his achievement.”

The entries came from schools all over Ireland and the standard of entry was so high that the decision was taken to publish a book with the most engaging entries.

The book Fáilte Pope Francis will be published in March by Columba Press. All royalties from the book will be donated to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin.