A young artist from Drogheda is celebrating national success after being named a winner in the 2025 Credit Union Art Competition, one of Ireland’s longest-running youth art initiatives.
James Moonan, who represented Drogheda Credit Union, secured first place in the Age 18 category. Judges praised his work for its creativity, originality and expressive response to this year’s theme, “The Future Is…”.
James’s artwork was chosen from more than 25,000 entries submitted by young artists from across Ireland, making the achievement a proud moment for his family, school and the wider Drogheda community. The national final took place at Croke Park, where winners and runners up gathered with their families to celebrate artistic achievement.
ILCU President Brendan Jenkins said the standard of entries in this year’s competition was exceptionally high, highlighting the creativity and imagination shown by young people throughout the country.
“Through their work, these artists offer inspiring visions, rich in hope and innovation, of what the future could be. Their pieces reflect both personal dreams and collective possibilities, reminding us that the future is shaped by the ideas and aspirations we choose to nurture today,” he said.
He added that the competition goes beyond awards and prizes.
“This competition is about far more than winning prizes, it’s about confidence, self-expression, and community pride. Every participant should be immensely proud of their contribution. On behalf of the ILCU, I extend my congratulations to all our award recipients and sincere thanks to every artist who took part in making this year’s competition such a wonderful celebration of creativity.”
The Credit Union Art Competition continues to play a key role in supporting young people and encouraging creativity in communities across Ireland, helping to ensure the arts remain an accessible and valued part of Irish life.
