Wallace High School Celebrates Poetry Aloud Success at National Library of Ireland

Wallace High School, Lisburn, is celebrating a significant achievement in the arts after Year 11 pupil Nathan reached the final of the prestigious Poetry Aloud competition, held in the National Library of Ireland in Dublin. Nathan was one of only two finalists from Northern Ireland, marking a proud moment for both the school and the wider region.

Poetry Aloud

Poetry Aloud is a highly regarded all-island competition that encourages young people to engage deeply with poetry through performance, interpretation and public speaking. The final, hosted in the historic surroundings of the National Library, brought together outstanding young readers from across Ireland, showcasing both classic and contemporary poetry.

The Final

In the final, Nathan delivered a powerful and sensitive performance celebrating the work of Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, choosing the powerful poem Mid Term Break. His performance demonstrated maturity, confidence and a deep appreciation of Heaney’s language and themes. Alongside this, Nathan also performed a poem by acclaimed Galway poet Alvy Carragher, highlighting his ability to connect with both established and modern poetic voices.

Wallace High School was also delighted to have a second pupil, Sam in Year 9, reach the semi-final stage of the competition. Having two pupils progress so far in such a competitive national event is a remarkable achievement and reflects the strength of the school’s commitment to English and the arts. Both boys impressed judges with their clarity, expression and passion for poetry, and represented their school with distinction throughout the competition.

Reflections

Head of English at Wallace High School, Gillian Weir, praised the pupils’ accomplishments and their conduct throughout the event.

She said: “I am very proud of the boys’ achievements as they were superb ambassadors for their school, city and province. Their passion for poetry is amazing and it was a pleasure to work with them. Poetry Aloud is a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the arts and a wonderful way to meet teenagers from different schools and backgrounds.”

Mrs Weir also expressed her appreciation for the support that made participation possible, adding: “I am very appreciative of the support of our PTA in helping fund our travel to Dublin for the semi and final.”

The competition offered students the chance not only to perform at a high level, but also to experience the cultural richness of Dublin and the unique atmosphere of the National Library of Ireland. For Nathan and Sam, the journey to the semi-final and final stages provided valuable experience, inspiration and memories that will last well beyond the competition itself.

Tradition

Wallace High School has a long-standing tradition of encouraging excellence across academic and creative subjects and this success in Poetry Aloud further highlights the importance the school places on nurturing confidence, communication skills and a love of literature. The achievements of Nathan and Sam stand as a testament to their hard work, talent and enthusiasm, as well as the dedication of their teachers and the wider school community.

Nathan concluded, “I’d encourage others to enter this competition next year as I have gained a lot from the experience. Mrs Weir has been really supportive in guiding my preparations and has given so much of her time to the Wallace entries. Thanks also go to Mrs Harrison for accompanying me to the final.”

The school extends its congratulations to both pupils and looks forward to continuing to celebrate and promote student success in the arts at local, national and international levels.

You can keep up to date with all the developments at Wallace via http://www.instagram.com/wallacehighlisburn