PATRICK McManus from Our Lady Queen of Peace, Dunmurry is celebrating not only his overall win in the inaugural McIntyre Poetry Awards, but Patrick can now proudly view his winning poem alongside other finalists in the all new publication 'Primary Poetry for All' which has just gone on sale at Ireland's leading bookstore Eason.
Out of around 200+ entries the young lad had to first of all win his own category which was one of the largest – The Open Class – The Light of Crimea Children's Cup (judged by Ards Arts Council); then his poem was put forward for judging by Cameron M
cIntyre who chose the Overall Winner from the Category Winners.
Patrick McManus The Mcintyre Poetry Award Overall Winner (front left) and Bobbie Quaile The Overall Art Winner, help to launch the Primary Poetry for All book at Eason Newtownards, alongside (back l-r) Claire Brown NI Children's Hospic
Mr McIntyre a prolific poet himself said: "When judging none of the independent panel know the child's name or school, each poem is given a number by our organisers, this makes the judging totally independent. Patrick's poem stood out for certain qualities such as length, rhythm & rhyme, description and humour. This poem has it all basically and to have been written by one so young is incredible, it was a very difficult decision but there had to be one winner."
Primary Poetry for All is enjoying great success and is now being stocked by three Eason stores in Newtownards, Belfast and Lisburn with all proceeds going to the nominated charities The NI Children's Hospice and NIICCA – The NI International Children's Charity Appeal.
Meanwhile whilst Patrick enjoyed great success in the poetry section, another local lad Bobbie Quaile from Beechlawn Special School enjoyed equal success in the art category and his drawing now adorns the front cover of the book.
The official launch of the 2010 McIntyre Poetry and Art Awards will not take place until October 20 however entry forms and criteria are already available to download online and all Primary School Children P5 – P7 inclusive and Special Needs Schools are being encouraged to participate, with an additional new 'Group Poem' category and additional Special Achievement Awards, it is definitely an outstanding awards not to be missed.
