Published: Wednesday, 24th March, 2010 5:00pm

Art and literature competition for national school students

Heather Brett.

The Heritage Office of Cavan County Council is inviting schools and students to enter an art/literature competition entitled A Poem for our Time. With the closing date just over a week away, the advice is to poise those pens and pick up those paintbrushes!

All entries should reference local heritage (natural landscape, built and cultural - a sense of place and identity) in poetry or illustrations. Entries will contribute to the creation of a mural in Cavan Town as part of a wider project entitled The Pride of Cavan or Mórtas an Chabháin.

Local waste management and recycling plant, Oxigen, are sponsoring the prizes for the winning poems and artwork at an award ceremony to be held during Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Cavan from August 16-22.

Lucky participants may also get the chance to realise a mural for their own schools, with artists provided by Cavan County Council. Cavan poet and artist, Windows Publications editor Heather Brett is excited about the prospect of A Poem for Our Time and hopes each student will search for inspiration locally.

• Entries to: Anne-Marie Ward, Heritage Officer, Cavan County Council, Farnham Street, Cavan on or before April 1. Further information from 086-0650908.