Florence Sexton, from Art House in Killarney, has been named as a top prize winner in the 72nd Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

Florence was one of three Kerry students to be recognised in this year’s national contest. The nine-year-old received a Special Merit Award for her entry, which final adjudicator Pauline O’Connell described as imaginative and demonstrating high levels of skill and creativity.
The Texaco Children’s Art Competition is the longest-running arts sponsorship in Irish history, having been held every year since 1955. It continues to serve as a major platform for young artists across the country to have their talents recognised by professional curators and educators.
This year’s competition saw a high volume of entries from across the county, with Florence’s work standing out among thousands of submissions for its artistic quality. The Special Merit Award is given to students whose work shows exceptional promise and technical ability for their age group.

Words and photos by: Marie Carroll-O’Sullivan

Tuesday night at the INEC Killarney saw a massive turnout for the Fiona Crowley Stage School annual showcase, featuring performances from the junior, intermediate, and senior groups.

The Juniors opened the night with a high-energy routine, followed by the Intermediate group’s performance of Mary Poppins. The crowd were treated to classics like “A Spoonful of Sugar,” with the young performers showing great confidence and timing.
The Seniors took on the challenging production of Wicked. This was a standout segment of the evening, featuring strong vocals and choreography during the “Defying Gravity” sequence. For several of these senior students, the night marked the end of a long journey with the school, having started years ago in the “baby boppers” classes.
The school has a well-known history of success, including its connection to Oscar winner Jessie Buckley. That tradition continues today, with many current students securing places in top performing arts colleges across Ireland and London.
While many in the audience were there to support their own children and grandchildren, the high standard of the three shows kept the venue full until the final curtain call.