Killeigh's Keira wins first place at RTÉ’s This is Art! competition

A young Offaly artist has been announced as the first-place winner in the Age 8 to 11 category of RTÉ’s This is Art! 2025 competition.

Killeigh native Keira Shand (11) received the accolade for her artwork, ‘Roots of dreams under moonlit beams’, which was selected from thousands of entries submitted by young people across the island of Ireland.

She said the artwork was inspired by a hideout made by herself and her sister, where she imagines animals relaxing when they aren't there.

"I imagine that the animals take over the hideout and even hibernate there during the winter, in a quiet peacefulness, protected from the weather but still dreaming of the brighter days to come," Keira said.

"The roots of all trees are so important for keeping them up and strong but they also protect the space and animals inside them."

Explaining her use of colour and texture in the outstanding piece, Keira said she wanted to remind people that "it may be cold in nature, but that there is still a warmth too".

"The moon is drawn brightly against the sky to show the night-time and to show a peaceful, dreaminess. I used dark colours to show that it is damp, but also to show that it is very cosy and homely inside the hollow of the tree. I used both acrylic paint and pencils to add detail and texture to the artwork.

"When people look at this picture I want them to feel that it may be cold in nature, but that there is still a warmth too and that they will imagine their own stories about nature and what happens when they’re not there."

This year’s competition saw an extraordinary surge in participation, with entries almost doubling year-on-year reflecting the growing appetite for creative expression among young people nationwide.

Keira is among 77 young artists named winners across five age categories. The competition celebrates every young person who takes part. Each submission contributed to a vibrant and inspiring showcase of creativity from every corner of Ireland.

Supported by Creative Ireland and the Shared Island Initiative, RTÉ’s This is Art! continues its mission to champion and platform young creativity across the island of Ireland.

The annual all-island competition invited young people aged 18 and under to respond to this year’s theme: This is Nature! Across five age categories, entrants submitted work in a wide range of mediums including drawing, painting, sculpture, decoupage and mixed media.

A total of 77 young artists will receive prizes this year. First-place winners across all categories will receive a bespoke award created by artist and judge Maser.

Second and third-place winners receive bursaries to further develop their artistic practice. In addition, the top 20 entrants in each category will receive personal commendations from the judging panel.