Two Laois students have been recognised in a prestigious poetry competition, beating over 300 students nationally to the final.

The Poetry Aloud competition final was held at the National Library of Ireland on Tuesday, December 16. Portlaoise College student Tadgh Smith and Scoil Chríost Rí Portlaoise student Myah Walker have been recognised at this year's event.

The annual competition challenges second-level students across the island of Ireland to recite a prescribed poem from memory. 

Photo: Pictured at the National Library of Ireland receiving the Poetry Aloud certificate is Tadgh Smith with Director of the National Library of Ireland, Dr Audrey Whitty

This year’s competition saw students recite a previously unpublished poem, 'Those Winter Evenings', by the late poet Seamus Heaney.

The poem is from the recently published collection 'The Poems of Seamus Heaney'. The Nobel Laureate was a supporter of the Poetry Aloud competition, citing the 'extraordinary' way in which it seeks to celebrate the joy of speaking and listening to poetry, as well valuing the north-south dimension to this all island event.

Organised by the National Library of Ireland (NLI) and Poetry Ireland, in partnership with University College Cork, this year’s competition drew 328 entries from schools across the island. There were 20 finalists in this year’s competition from across 13 counties, from Antrim to Kerry and Laois.

The competition has three categories: junior, intermediate, and senior.

The prescribed poems for this year were 'The Power of Words' by Amanda Gorman for the Junior category, 'Among Treetops' by Alvy Carragher for the Intermediate category, and the previously unpublished poem 'Those Winter Evenings' by Seamus Heaney for the Senior category. 

Photo: Pictured at the National Library of Ireland receiving the Poetry Aloud certificate is Myah Walker with Director of the National Library of Ireland, Dr Audrey Whitty

"Poetry Aloud is a joyful celebration of the beauty to be found in speaking and listening to poetry," said Dr Audrey Whitty, Director of the National Library of Ireland.

"The National Library of Ireland's extensive collection holds the work of Ireland’s most celebrated poets. We are privileged to hear students from all over the island recite their poems with such heartfelt expression and thoughtful interpretation," Dr Whitty stated.

"The competition is a highlight in our schools’ engagement calendar each year, and the standard this year has upheld that tradition with real distinction. The importance and legacy of poetry as Ireland’s most loved and renowned of art forms is thriving thanks to this extraordinary competition.”    

Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, also commended this year's finalists.

"It has been wonderful to see all of this year's students bring such energy and heart to their performances at Poetry Aloud 2025," Ms Kelly said.

"Each year, this competition highlights the joy and expressive power of poetry in the hands of young readers. We are always delighted to work with colleagues at the National Library of Ireland, UCC and schools all over Ireland on this incredibly important initiative," she said.

"Comhghairdeas ollmhór do na buaiteoirí agus míle buíochas do na h-iomaitheoirí ar fad a ghlac pháirt ann," Ms Kelly finished.

This year’s judging panel included Dr Audrey Whitty, Director of the National Library of Ireland, Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, and John Fitzgerald, poet and Adjunct Professor, School of English, University College Cork.  

Prizes included a €100 book token for the runners-up in each category, with the winner of each category (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) receiving a cheque for €300. 

The overall winner received the perpetual Seamus Heaney Poetry Aloud trophy, designed by Meath-based sculptor Fiona Smith-Darragh, and a €300 cheque. 

The teacher from each winning school was presented with a book token for €300 to bring back to their school libraries. All finalists were presented with a certificate of recognition and a NLI gift bag. 

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