Monaghan student meets EU Parliament President after winning Brussels trip

Sadhbh O'Hanlon's essay was selected from hundreds submitted.

Sadhbh O’Hanlon, a primary school student at Urbleshanny National School in Monaghan, has received an award in Brussels after winning MEP Nina Carberry’s annual essay competition.

Sadhbh was presented with her prize by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola during a visit to the EU Parliament this week, alongside MEP Carberry.

The competition invited fifth and sixth class pupils across the Midlands North-West to answer the question: “If you were an MEP, what would you do to make your community a better place to live?”

Hundreds of entries were submitted.

Sadhbh’s essay stood out for its creativity and practical ideas, including proposals linked to GAA and soccer, electronic voting in elections, tackling homelessness, and supporting children with special educational needs.

As part of the prize, Sadhbh and her parents travelled to Brussels, where they toured the European Parliament and met with MEP Carberry, gaining an insight into the work of European lawmakers.

Speaking about the competition, MEP Carberry said: “The ideas and imagination shown by students like Sadhbh is really inspiring. It’s so important that young people have their voices heard and take an interest in what is happening in their communities. You never know, we might see Sadhbh as an MEP in Brussels in the not-too-distant future!”

The competition is part of ongoing efforts by MEP Carberry to promote awareness of the EU in Irish schools.