Over 600 children took part in the first children’s farm safety art competition organised by Macra northwest vice-president Caroline O’Dowd. There were four categories in the competition and there were winners from Cavan, Galway, Mayo, Limerick, Wicklow, Laois and Longford. The winners were:

Category one: infants

  • First place: Jessica Curran, Scoil Mhuire, Swanlinbar, Co Cavan.
  • Second: Isabella Gaynor, Castlerahan NS, Co Cavan.
  • Third: Heather Boland, Knockadea NS, Co Limerick.
  • Category two: first/second class

  • First: Aimee Clancy, Sacred Heart, Aughrim, Co Wicklow.
  • Second: James Lambert, Sacred Heart, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow.
  • Third: Eoghan Keoghan, Castlerahan NS, Co Cavan.
  • Category three: third/fourth class

  • First: Aoibheann Mangan, Cloghans Hill NS, Co Mayo.
  • Second: Anna Trappe, St Catherine’s, Aughrim, Co Galway
  • Third: Emma Conrey, Rosenalis NS, Co Laois.
  • Category four: fifth/sixth class.

  • First: Aisling McEnroe, Castlerahan NS, Co Cavan.
  • Second: John Boyle, Sacred Heart, Granard, Co Longford.
  • Third: Jaclyn Winterlich, Castlerahan NS, Co Cavan.
  • Raise awareness

    The aim of the competition was to raise awareness of farm safety, a topic which is very important to Macra na Feirme, among young children. Caroline also compiled a list of teaching resources on farm safety, which she circulated to all teachers and childcare workers who had expressed an interest in participating in the art competition. The idea was that the teachers would teach some lessons on farm safety in preparation for the children taking part in the competition. Special thanks to Embrace Farm, AgriKids, the IFA and FBD’s Champions for Change, who supported the initiative with judging and prizes.