Wexford pupil crowned winner at National Credit Union Art Competition

Enniscorthy Credit Union proudly congratulates local pupil, Emily Bolger, after winning 1st place in her category at National Level of the Irish League of Credit Union’s (ILCU) Art Competition….

The competition marks an annual highlight in the Credit Union calendar and invites artists of all ages and abilities to take part where all winning and acknowledged artwork is printed in the annual calendar that can be collected from your local Credit Union office.

Firmly established as one of Ireland’s most popular and enduring youth art initiatives, the Credit Union Art Competition attracts over 25,000 entries each year, across both the General (G) and Additional Needs (AN) categories. The national final, held at Croke Park, brought together winners, runners-up, and their families for a memorable celebration of artistic achievement and creativity.

Among the winners, Emily Bolger, who entered from Marshalstown National School, has brought national recognition to Enniscorthy after winning 1st place in her category.

Emily entered the annual competition through Enniscorthy Credit Union in Autumn 2025, beginning a journey that would see her wonderful work progress from local success to national acclaim. She secured 1st place at local level before advancing to the regional (chapter) stage, where she achieved an impressive 2nd place. Her artwork was then selected to compete at national level, where she was ultimately crowned overall national winner in her category, ‘General 7 years and under’. This year’s theme ‘The Future Is…’ asked participants to use their imagination and she entered a painted piece which depicted a colourful under-the-sea style cityscape:

Prize Giving Ceremony

The national prize giving ceremony took place on the afternoon of January 25th at Croke Park in Dublin. Families gathered to celebrate all participants and their outstanding talent that attracted almost 25,000 entries nationally from schools and credit unions throughout Ireland.

Emily was awarded her prize, accompanied by her mother, father, and brother, in what was a memorable occasion for the family and a proud moment for the local community.

This outstanding win is a major achievement not only for Emily but also for Marshalstown National School and Enniscorthy Credit Union, reflecting the strong support for creativity and the arts within the Enniscorthy area. The school community has expressed great pride in Emily’s success and in her representing her town and school on a national stage.

Emily’s national victory serves as an inspiration to other young students in the region and demonstrates the opportunities available through community-based competitions such as those run by the Credit Union movement. It is a remarkable accomplishment for such a young student and a proud moment for Enniscorthy.

ILCU President Brendan Jenkins commended the high standard of this year’s entries, noting that the creativity and imagination demonstrated by young people was exceptional:

“Through their work, these artists offer inspiring visions, rich in hope and innovation, of what the future could be. Their pieces reflect both personal dreams and collective possibilities, reminding us that the future is shaped by the ideas and aspirations we choose to nurture today.”

The Credit Union Art Competition remains a cornerstone of the credit union movement’s commitment to nurturing creativity and supporting young people in communities nationwide. By encouraging artistic expression, credit unions help ensure the arts continue to thrive as a vital and accessible part of Irish life.

Speaking to Wexford Weekly, Brendan Jenkins added:

“This competition is about far more than winning prizes, it’s about confidence, self-expression, and community pride. Every participant should be immensely proud of their contribution. On behalf of the ILCU, I extend my congratulations to our all our award recipients indeed sincere thanks to every artist who took part in making this year’s competition such a wonderful celebration of creativity.”

Enniscorthy Credit Union’s Art Competition will return in 2026.