Presentation Student Highly Commended in Cuisle Young Poet Competition

Highly Commended Poet, Nell Nolan pictured with her English teacher, Joan McElligott (left) and Principal, Katerina Broderick.
Highly Commended Poet, Nell Nolan pictured with her English teacher, Joan McElligott (left) and Principal, Katerina Broderick.

Nell Nolan, a first year student of Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland pictured here being presented with her certificate for her participation in the Cuisle Young Poet of the Year Competition 2014 .  Nell was highly commended in the Intermediate section of the acclaimed International Poetry Competition.  Her English teacher, Joan McElligott (left) and Principal, Katarina Broderick are also in the picture.  Nell and her mother, Margaret attended the awards ceremony in The Belltable Theatre in Limerick recently and all at the school are very proud of her achievement.

Nell, a daughter of Seán and Margaret Nolan, based her entry on her first day at school and this was also her first time entering a poetry competition. She sent us the highly commended poem and here it is:

MY FIRST DAY OF PRIMARY SCHOOL

That morning I jumped out of bed,

It was time to throw away Ted.

I grabbed my new green schoolbag

Flung it over my shoulder and pulled off the tag.

Wearing my new navy uniform

I ran out the gate, realising this is my new norm.

As I approached the school, from a distance I could smell the fresh cut grass from the school park.

Next, I passed Mrs McCluskey’s shop, where the dogs always bark,

As my mom hugged me goodbye at the school gate,

I could see my new friends and my teacher Kate.

The next few hours flew by.

The teacher said once we had eaten our lunch, we each could choose a toy.

By Nell Nolan,

Presentation Secondary School

Castleisland,

Co. Kerry.

The Cuisle Limerick City International Poetry Festival is dedicated to poetry in all its forms and varieties and it features the best of local, national, and international poets. For 18 years the organisers have made Limerick a centre for poetry not only in this country, but throughout Europe and beyond. Cuisle is the pulse that brings life to language, and creates friendships through verse between all peoples.

The event is held in October each year and the programme includes: Lunch-time readings at the city’s Hunt Museum, screenings of poetry films, book launches, a varied programme for schools, the Young Poet of the Year Award and a selection of evening performances. Festival-goers will hear verses in English, Irish, Slovenian, Italian, and more besides!

Tralee native, Bertha McCullough is a member of the ‘The Cuisle’ organising committee. Bertha, nee Curtin has strong Castleisland connections as her mom. ‘Nono Mac’ (McGillicuddy) came from The Market Bar and her brother, Maurice Curtin taught for many years at St. Patrick’s Boys’ Secondary School.