Schools Essay Competition
Rose Lacey Byrne, winner of the Wexford Festival Opera School Essay Writing competition in 2025, pictured with Wexford Festival Opera Chairman Paul Cleary. Pic: Jim Campbell courtesy of the Wexford People
The 2026 School Essay Competition, organised in partnership with Wexford Festival Opera, invites secondary students in the county to respond to its 75th Anniversary this year.
What started out as a three-day festival of music and the arts in 1951, has now become one of the most popular opera festivals on the international stage.
This year alone (October 15-31), WFO will present three main stage operas, two pocket operas, a factory opera, a community opera and many concerts, recitals, lectures and other events.
We are looking for essays in English (max 2,000 words) exploring the theme, 75 years of Extraordinary, and how the performing arts can be a force for good or otherwise. The essay is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the arts to Wexford.
Competition Rules
All students in Senior Cycle (TY, 5th Year and 6th Year) in County Wexford secondary schools are eligible to participate.
Prize: €250
To help you with your ideas, consider the words of our Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi at the launch of this year’s anniversary programme:
“The 75th Anniversary is an incredible milestone and a very special birthday for Wexford, and for our Wexford Festival Opera family all around the world. Each opera is a rediscovery, but also a reflection of our own world, where difference can still divide us - and yet, art reminds us that empathy can always unite us.”
- Entries must be the original work of the entrant and should not have been previously published in any format, online or print, self-published or paid.
- Entries must be typed, double-spaced in Microsoft Word, 12 point, Times New Roman font.
- All entries must be in English or Irish and submitted by email to essay@wexfordopera.com. Closing date for receipt of entries is Monday, 29 June at 5.00pm.
- The decision of the judges is final, no correspondence/contact will be entered into, and no feedback will be given to individual entrants.
- Entrants can submit only one entry. Entries must not exceed 2,000 words.
- Wexford Festival Opera reserves the right to publish any of the entries as full essays, or extracts thereof, to promote Wexford Festival Opera on its website and in other media.