Danny Ó Treasaigh, a Coláiste Oiriall first year student, has achieved national acclaim for his poetry speaking skills.

Danny has been placed second in this year’s Poetry Aloud competition. The first year pupil competed against eleven other finalists last Friday in Dublin and the event was hosted by the National Library of Ireland.

Danny wowed the judges with his dramatic recital of ‘Back in the Playground Blues’ by Adrian Mitchell and ‘Angel Boy’ by Maurice Riordan. On attaining the coveted Junior category title, the twelve year old was awarded a certificate and a book voucher.

The adjudicators on the day were Fiona Ross, the Director of the National Library of Ireland, Fiach Mac Conghail, the Director of the Abbey Theatre and Gerard Smyth, the Chair of Poetry Ireland. Danny had previously beaten off competition from thousands of post- primary students at regional and semi- final heats. He was accompanied to the event by his tutor an Múinteoir Gráinne. Déanann muid comhghairdeas le Danny agus a mhúinteoir, an Múinteoir Gráinne.