Shannon comes up trumphs in popular ILCU art competition

A Lurgan girl was among one of the winners of one of the country's biggest art competitions, run by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU).
Shannon Ward winner in the 11-13 yrs special category  from Lurgan Credit Union,  with Marty Whelan and ILCU President Brian McCrory  in Croke Park. Pic by Maxwell Photgraphy.Shannon Ward winner in the 11-13 yrs special category  from Lurgan Credit Union,  with Marty Whelan and ILCU President Brian McCrory  in Croke Park. Pic by Maxwell Photgraphy.
Shannon Ward winner in the 11-13 yrs special category from Lurgan Credit Union, with Marty Whelan and ILCU President Brian McCrory in Croke Park. Pic by Maxwell Photgraphy.

Shannon Ward, from Lurgan Credit Union won the aged 11 to 13 category and her name along with scores of other winners and runners-up was announced at a special ceremony at Croke Park.

A huge 30,000 entries were received through 300 Credit Unions for the All Ireland Credit Union Art Competition. Cash prizes were awarded to the winners by broadcasting legend Marty Whelan at a prize-giving ceremony.

The All Ireland Art Competition is now in its 33rd year and continues to be hugely popular with children and adults alike. This year’s theme ‘Dreams are made of this….’ was open to interpretation by each entrant. The theme aimed to give all entrants a wide-ranging scope to express their creativity and imagination.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, ILCU President, Brian McCrory said: “This competition brings together people of all ages from every corner of Ireland and is a celebration of their diversity and creativity.

“The Irish League of Credit Unions will continue to support and nurture the artistic development of young and old in our local communities with this fantastic annual event, which is truly representative of the Credit Union movement’s spirit of community.”

Mr McCrory continued, “I am greatly impressed by the quality of the artwork on display at Croke Park, and it has been very compelling to see how uniquely each of the artists interpreted the theme of Dreams. I would like to extend a huge congratulations to each artist that participated.”

The judges were Una Sealy, RHA Gallery, Ursula Retzlaff O’Connell, artist and John Walsh, of FOCUS Advertising.