Credit Union Art Competition brings the Future to Life

Posted on: 25 Jan 2026

The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) is delighted to announce the winners of its 2025 Credit Union Art Competition, an initiative that continues to celebrate creativity, imagination, and community spirit across Ireland.

This year’s theme, “The Future Is…”, invited artists to envision the future through creativity, optimism and wonder. Participants depicted personal goals and achievements, explored the potential of emerging technologies, and reflected on the values and dreams they hope will inspire future communities. From visionary concepts to deeply personal expressions, the theme generated a wide range of imaginative and original work.

Now firmly established as one of Ireland’s most popular and enduring youth art initiatives, the Credit Union Art Competition attracts over 25,000 entries each year, across both the General and Additional Needs (AN) categories. The national final, held at Croke Park, brought together winners, runners-up, and their families for a memorable celebration of artistic achievement and creativity.

ILCU President Brendan Jenkins commended the high standard of this year’s entries, noting that the creativity and imagination demonstrated by young people was exceptional. “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.”

The Credit Union Art Competition remains a cornerstone of the credit union movement’s commitment to nurturing creativity and supporting young people in communities nationwide. By encouraging artistic expression, credit unions help ensure the arts continue to thrive as a vital and accessible part of Irish life.

Brendan Jenkins added: “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 our all our award recipients indeed sincere thanks to every artist who took part in making this year’s competition such a wonderful celebration of creativity.”
 

Winners of the 2025 Credit Union Art Competition

Age 7 & Under

• General: Emily Bolger, Enniscorthy Credit Union, Co. Wexford.

• AN: Leó Donnelly, Cookstown Credit Union, Co. Tyrone.

Age 8–10

• General: Millie Horgan, Cairde Credit Union, Co. Waterford.

• AN: Zoe Stewart, Virgina Credit Union, Co. Cavan.

Age 11–13

• General: Vironika Shpyl, B&S Credit Union, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal.

• AN: Eimear McGuckien, Ballymena-Causeway Credit Union (BCCU) Co. Antrim.

Age 14–17

• General: Tommy O’Leary, Wexford Credit Union, Co. Wexford.

• AN: Kevin Lee Sweeney, Ballina Credit Union, Co. Mayo.

Age 18

• General: Ayla Carson, Dungannon Credit Union, Co. Tyrone.

• AN: James Moonan, Drogheda Credit Union, Co. Louth.

Group Winner

• Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town Credit Union, Co Donegal.

Further details on winners and runners up across each category can be found here.