Primary school students from across Wicklow gathered in Woodenbridge last Thursday evening for the second annual Interschool Table Quiz, hosted by Wicklow County Council Library Service. This event encourages young people in 5th and 6th class to brush up on their knowledge of the European Union (EU) and celebrate EU membership. The evening was filled with enthusiastic students, dedicated teachers, and supportive parents attending from all corners of the county, all contributing to a spirit of friendly competition.
The Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Councillor Paul O'Brien praised the community spirit displayed at the event and said “It’s wonderful to see schools from towns and villages all across the county coming together for a common purpose. The camaraderie and support for each other were truly special, and it’s events like these that remind us how connected our communities are.”
Speaking on the importance of the event, Theresa O’Brien, Director of Services for Wicklow County Council, highlighted how valuable EU knowledge is for students, saying, “It’s essential for our young people to understand the EU’s role in fostering cooperation and opportunities between countries, and this quiz gave our students a fun and inspiring way to explore these ideas. They really did Wicklow proud.”
Reflecting on the support for this event, Senior Executive Librarian Mary Murphy the organiser, expressed gratitude: “We’re immensely grateful to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Communicating Europe Initiative for the generous funding that made this event possible. The enthusiasm and hard work of the schools who attended were remarkable, and we look forward to welcoming them—and more—next year!”
The quiz showcased impressive performances from all teams, demonstrating their clear preparation and in-deep understanding of the EU. It was apparent that the students had been brushing up on their EU knowledge, and their clever answers contributed to a tightly contested race in every round. After an intense and exciting competition, Roundwood National School claimed first place, followed closely by Scoil Naomh Iósaf from Baltinglass in second place, while Hollywood NS and Tinahely NS shared third place. The high scores achieved by each team were remarkable, with only a few points separating the top contenders.
The Wicklow County Council Library Service extends its gratitude to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Communicating Europe Initiative for their generous funding. This support not only helped with this event but will also enable upcoming programs, including a secondary school debate series and the county’s first Human Library Initiative launching later this year. These initiatives aim to engage young people and the broader community in learning and meaningful dialogue.
Thanks are due to the dedicated library team who organized the event, created questions, and arranged prizes. Their commitment to fostering a love for learning and community engagement truly shone through.
Due to the success and enthusiasm around this year’s event, Wicklow County Council Library Service looks forward to making the quiz an annual tradition.