150th Irish Derby School’s Art competition.

Kildare Library and Arts Service, Curragh Racecourse and Riverbank Arts Centre launch the 150^th Irish Derby School’s Art competition.

To coincide with the 150^th running of the Irish Derby, The Curragh Racecourse, Kildare Library & Arts Service and Riverbank Arts Centre are delighted to launch a school’s arts competition aimed at both primary and secondary school students in County Kildare.

Closing date for entries is Friday the 27^th of March. Winners will be announced on Monday the 11^th of May.

All winning entries will be exhibited in Riverbank Arts Centre throughout June prior to the prizes for the winning entries being presented at the Curragh during the Irish Derby Festival. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival takes place at the Curragh from 26^th to 28^th June with the 150^th Irish Derby the highlight of the weekend on Saturday 27^th June.

Primary Schools – Colouring competition

All primary children will receive a “150^th Irish Derby theme” illustration to colour. 

The competition will be divided into two categories –

1.      Up to and including 3^rd class

2.      4^th to 6^th class.

The overall winners will receive top of the range art sets plus a €100 voucher. There will also be prizes for 9 runners-up in each category.

Also, as part of the prize, the class of both winners will enjoy a workshop with leading illustrator Dave Butler together with a €500 voucher for art supplies and a variety of books for their school library.

All entrants will receive free admission to the races on 28^th June, while the parents can avail of a special discounted family ticket for the Irish Derby Festival Family Fun Day on Sunday 28^th June.

Secondary schools – Poster competition

All secondary school students will be invited to design an A3 poster with a 150^th Irish Derby theme. 

The Overall winner will receive a top of the range arts set plus a voucher for €250. There will also be prizes for 9 runners up of a €50 voucher

As part of the prize, the class of the overall winner will enjoy a workshop with leading artist Cara Nagle together with a €500 voucher for art supplies and a variety of books for their school library

All 10 winners and their families will be invited to the races on 28^th June as guests of the Curragh, while the class colleagues of the overall winner will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the races. The 10 winners in the category will also have their posters printed in the official Derby Festival programme.

Evan Arkwright, Commercial Manger of the Curragh Racecourse, ‘The Irish Derby has been a hugely significant event for County Kildare and the art competition gives a whole new generation the opportunity to embrace the event. We would encourage students to be as creative as possible and to look at various aspects of the Irish Derby over the last 150 years including racing, fashion and style, family entertainment and most importantly fun’

Eoghan Doyle Assistant County Arts Officer ‘This competition will give young and emerging artist’s the chance to express themselves creatively and engage with the historical Irish Derby and recognise the heroic tales, epic battles, great heroes, and influential figures that have helped this race become such an important international event for County Kildare’

Judges include artist Chara Nagle, illustrator Dave Butler, Eoghan Doyle, Assistant County Arts Officer, Marian Higgins and Celine Broughal of the Kildare Library & Arts Service and Evan Arkwright, Commercial Manager of the Curragh Racecourse.

For further information, please contact:

Your local Library - Branch details available at www.kildare.ie/library   / 045448300 

Or Eoghan Doyle, Assistant County Arts Officer, ekdoyle@kildarecoco.ie  / 045448326

Entries may be posted directly to, or handed in at your local library.

Closing date is Friday 27^th of March 2015.