merrion street

Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) this morning welcomed the six winners of the OPW Winter Solstice Children’s Art Competition to Newgrange. Their winning entries granted them access to the Chamber this morning ready to witness the Winter Solstice and the sun did not disappoint. For the first time since 2007, the weak winter sunshine shone through the passage via the roofbox and lit up the Chamber. There were two winners from the traditional lottery draw also in the Chamber this morning, from Monaghan and Louth, and each thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They were joined at the Monument by a large group of media and onlookers, all seeking to share in the excitement of this unique event.

Speaking this morning the Minister said: “I am delighted to be here this morning to welcome the six children who are this year’s winners of our Winter Solstice art competition. This is such a special prize and I’m even more pleased for them that the sun shone brightly; it has been a very memorable day for all of us. This is the second year that my office, the OPW has organised the art competition and it is a pleasure to see the level of interest from schools with over 900 entries this year. I thank the schools and their teaching staff for their support and encouragement and I congratulate all the schoolchildren on their creativity. 2013 is the 20th anniversary of the inscription of Newgrange as a UNESCO World Heritage site and we are proud to manage this unique monument on behalf of the people of Ireland and share this special day. ”

The 6 winning children in the three categories were from the following counties: Clare, Cork, Dublin, Meath, Leitrim and Louth and they were present in the Chamber with a parent for the Solstice event. Later, back in the Visitor Centre, Minister Hayes presented each of the children with a specially framed copy of their winning entry.

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Editors Note:

This is the second year of the new Winter Solstice children’s art competition run by OPW. The six winning children were present in the chamber for the Solstice with the remaining attendees being winners of the usual lottery draw. This initiative is aimed at school children to foster an appreciation of our natural heritage and afford them the opportunity to witness a spectacular cultural event.

For further information or if you wish to interview Minister of State Hayes please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer – mobile 087 9475552 or email colette.davis@opw.ie

Photographs will issue from Lafayette Photography of the event.