Explore student competitions.

QUICK SUMMARY

An all-Ireland science and technology competition where students conduct original research and present their findings at a national exhibition. Open to secondary-school students entering individually or in groups of up to three through their school. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from project selection, sustained research and in-person judging.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, An all-island school poetry-speaking competition run by the National Library of Ireland and Poetry Ireland, with three age categories and a national final. Post-primary students resident on the island of Ireland enter through a teacher; categories align to school years. Contestants memorise and interpret a prescribed and a chosen poem, performing both through regional heats and later rounds.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Intermediate, this bilingual haiku competition is for post-primary students across Irish year groups, with entries accepted in English or Irish through the published school or individual route. Entrants submit concise original poems for adjudication and celebration. The challenge is using precise imagery, rhythm and restraint to create meaning within the compact haiku form.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this online visual-arts competition welcomes young people aged 18 or under across the island of Ireland. Entrants create an artwork, upload a digital entry and may be selected for the public gallery and awards. The main challenge is responding personally to the theme while demonstrating strong technique, originality and a clearly communicated artistic intention.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Expert, this two-round in-person olympiad is for eligible final-year secondary students in Ireland who meet the published age rule. Students first sit a regional written examination, with selected participants progressing to a second round in Dublin. The main challenge is solving unfamiliar chemistry problems through rigorous quantitative reasoning and deep conceptual understanding.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this annual programming olympiad is open to second-level students in Ireland who are under 20. Entrants solve preliminary algorithmic problems online before leading performers reach an in-person final at University College Cork. The main challenge is designing correct, efficient programs under competition constraints, with the strongest participants considered for Irish international informatics panels.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Intermediate, this island-of-Ireland competition is for post-primary students aged 19 or under, entering individually or in teams of up to three through a teacher. Students investigate a question and present their analysis on a statistical poster. The main challenge is using data responsibly and turning methods, findings and limitations into a clear visual argument.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this Irish competition invites secondary students to submit original economics work through the published school or individual route. Entrants investigate an economic issue and present their reasoning for judging. The main challenge is framing a worthwhile question, applying economic concepts accurately and communicating evidence, analysis and conclusions in a coherent student-led project.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Expert, this senior national mathematics contest is for eligible secondary students in Ireland and is connected to further selection for the Irish International Mathematical Olympiad team. Participants sit a proof-based final at enrichment centres. The main challenge is constructing rigorous solutions to unfamiliar problems across geometry, number theory, combinatorics and algebra.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Intermediate, this Irish school mathematics quiz is for teams of four Junior Cycle students studying Higher Level Mathematics, with a limit on teams per school. Regional rounds lead to a national final. The main challenge is solving varied questions accurately at speed while sharing work, communicating reasoning and checking answers as a coordinated team.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Intermediate, this free in-person showcase welcomes young technology creators aged 18 or under from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Individuals or teams of up to five present projects using code, computers or digital technology. The challenge is combining technical complexity with thoughtful design, usability and a clear explanation for judges and visitors.

QUICK SUMMARY

An Irish mathematics competition where students solve creative, non-routine problems to qualify for the national olympiad round. Open mainly to 3rd–5th Year secondary-school students through participating schools across Ireland. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from unfamiliar problem-solving, logical reasoning and selective progression to the Irish Mathematical Olympiad final.