'Inspiring' essay wins Castlepollard boy essay prize

An “inspirational” essay by an 11 year old Castlepollard boy has won him the Westmeath award in a national writing competition.

Daniel Keating, a 6th class pupil at Castlepollard Parochial School, who loves music and video games, wrote an essay entitled 'Someone Like Me’, inspired by his own life and featuring two of his best friends.

The competition was hosted by the Department of Justice and Equality and aimed at promoting positive attitudes towards disability in primary schools.

The award was presented at a special ceremony held in Farmleigh House in Dublin.

Minister of State for New Communities, Culture, Equality and Drugs Strategy Aodhán ” Ríordáin commented that Daniel was a “thoroughly inspiring winner, and his entry was “excellent”.

He continued: “The primary schools competition is an excellent opportunity for the youngest members of society to have a carefully thought out conversation around disabilities against the backdrop of the classroom. It is so important to drive this agenda from a young age and teach children to respect themselves and how unique they are and also to respect the uniqueness of the people around them.”

The judging panel for the competition included Brent Pope, rugby analyst and author of many children’s books including Woody the Whale, The Wheezing Wolf, Bones, Arnold The Anteater and The Adventures of Herbie.

He joined acclaimed Galway children’s author Deirdre Sullivan and a range of other judges to choose the national winner.

“ I was really blown away by the standard of the essays and the story many of them were telling. I absolutely loved Daniel’s entry,” commented Mr Pope.

Daniel’s teacher Siobhan Hunter, the entire school and his parents a very proud of him and this wonderful achievement.