27 November 2014

Simon Harris TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today announced the winners of the 2014 Newgrange Winter Solstice Children's Art Competition.

Speaking this morning, the Minister said: “I am delighted to make this very special announcement today of the winners of the 2014 competition. The six students, accompanied by a parent or guardian will be coming to Newgrange on 21 December and will be the among the lucky few in the chamber for the Winter Solstice sunrise - a unique event in our cultural calendar.”

The six winning entrants in the three categories are from the following counties: Waterford, Dublin, Meath, Louth and Wicklow. The 50 winners of the traditional lottery draw for places in the chamber between 18th and 23rd December hail from locations such as Chile, USA and the UK as well as many counties throughout Ireland.

Minister Harris concluded: “The winning entrants have been given the good news and I’m sure are looking forward to the 21st December already. This is the third year of this art competition and the judges have told me that all the entries were of a very high standard and all are to be congratulated on putting the time and effort into the competition. I would also like to thank the primary and post primary teachers and principals for their invaluable assistance with this competition.”

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Editors Note:

This is the third year of the Newgrange Winter Solstice Children’s Art Competition run by OPW. The winning children will be present in the chamber for the Solstice on the 21st December with the remaining attendees being winners of the usual lottery draw. This initiative is aimed at primary and post primary students to foster an appreciation of our natural heritage and affords them the opportunity to witness a spectacular cultural event.

For further information or if you wish to interview Minister of State Harris please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer – 087 947 5552 or 01 647 6128 or colette.davis@opw.ie