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BIG congratulations to talented Killarney artist James O’Shea whose eye-catching painting was selected from among 30,000 entries received across Ireland for one of the country’s biggest art competitions.

The Killarney man stepped centre stage at Croke Park on Sunday to receive his runner-up prize in the art contest, run by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU).

Among those paying tribute to James was broadcasting legend Marty Whelan who was master of ceremonies.

James, who was one of those entering the competition from Kerry Parents and Friends Association, was one of six national winners chosen from Kerry.

The All-Ireland art competition, now in its 33rd year, was organised throughout 300 credit unions with 33 national winners picked at the final stage of the competition.

This year’s theme ‘Dreams are made of this….’ was open to interpretation by each entrant.

The judges for this year’s competition were: Una Sealy, RHA Gallery and RTÉ’s Painting the Nation, Ursula Retzlaff O’Connell, artist, and John Walsh, creative director, Focus Advertising.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, ILCU president Brian McCrory said: "I am greatly impressed by the quality of the artwork on display at Croke Park today, and it has been very compelling to see how uniquely each of the artists interpreted the theme of Dreams. I would like to extend a huge congratulations to each and every artist that participated."

Joy Clifford-Vaughan, youth officer, Killarney Credit Union, said: “We would like to congratulate James O’Shea for his achievement as runner-up in the Adult Special Category. We always have a great submission from Kerry Parents and Friends and hope that encourages more to participate in next year’s competition.”

The six winners received cash prizes and each winning entry will have their artwork featured in the Credit Union’s 2018 national calendar.
 

 
Above: James O’Shea, Kerry Parents and Friends Association, Killarney, National Runner Up 18 years (Special Category) and over with Marty Whelan, Irish League of Credit Unions President Brian McCrory, John Long, Killarney Credit Union, and James’s brother Ian O’Shea and niece Ellen Adams.