Double New Year Celebrations for Gowna school

The Someone Like Me Art Competition has helped to spark a national conversation around disability and inclusion

St Patrick’s Mixed National School, Loch Gowna has begun the New Year on a high after being named both Junior and Senior County Winners in the prestigious Someone Like Me national art competition.

The achievement secures the school a place at the national awards ceremony, which will take place at Dublin City Hall later this month, on Wednesday, January 28.

Pupils and teachers will join representatives from more than 50 schools nationwide, competing for the highly sought-after national junior and senior titles.

An initiative of the National Disability Authority (NDA), Someone Like Me celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Over the past decade, the competition has engaged thousands of primary and special school pupils across Ireland, encouraging greater awareness and understanding of visible and non-visible disabilities through creative expression, and promoting a more inclusive society.

Congratulating St Patrick’s Mixed National School on their success, NDA Director Dr Aideen Hartney praised the dedication of teachers and pupils nationwide. S

he said the high standard and volume of entries reflect the vital role schools play in fostering inclusion and positive attitudes from a young age.

“Over the last ten years, the Someone Like Me Art Competition has helped to spark a national conversation around disability and inclusion,” Dr Hartney said. “It continues to be a highlight in our calendar, offering a meaningful and creative way to engage with pupils and teachers, with benefits that will be felt for generations.”

She added that selecting county winners was a challenging task for judges, noting that all participants deserve recognition for their creativity and commitment to inclusion.

The national awards ceremony will feature guest speaker James Casserly, a young disability advocate, with awards presented by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins T.D.

The competition, which offers prizes totalling over €1,000, was open to all primary and special school pupils, with entries ranging from posters and collages to sculptures and videos.