An essay competition for Leaving Cert students in memory of Augustine Martin, professor of Anglo-Irish literature in UCD, who died in October 1995, has just been announced. Students are invited to write an essay (about 2,000 words) on any aspect of Irish literature in English - poetry, prose, drama, a particular writer's work or the work of a pair or a cluster of writers. Closing date is April 1st next. Write on one side of the paper only and include your name, address and the telephone number of your school. English teachers must confirm that entries are unaided work by signing essays. The winner will be announced at the Association of Teachers of English summer school next June. The prize of £100 and a book will be presented to the winning student. There is no official entry form. Essays should be posted to Augustine Martin Memorial Essay, c/o Association of Teachers of English, The Teachers' Centre, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.
Slogadh dates: Slogadh '98 has just been officially launched. It will hold its finals in Wexford next year. The 29-year-old festival of competitions is open to primary and secondlevel students. It's not too late to enter the nonstage competitions (na comortais neamhardain), which include painting, photography, drawing, poetry, sculpture, short stories, and a new bilingual history project for Transition Year students. Entry forms, which are available from schools, youth clubs and Gael Linn, which is the organising body, should be submitted by next Friday - the deadline was extended by a week. Gael Linn is based at 26 Cearnog Mhuirfean, Baile Atha Cliath 2. For further information contact Colm Mac Lochlainn at Gael Linn - phone (01) 676 7283 or fax (01) 679 2789.
Open Afternoon: All Hallows College will host an open afternoon tomorrow week between 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. Students, teachers, parents and guidance counsellors will hear members of staff and students talk and will be given a tour of the campus. Enquiries to the Registrar at All Hallows College, Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 - phone (01) 837 3745, fax (01) 837 7642, email ahallows@iol.ir and web-site http://www.iol.ie/ahallows
College Guide: The latest edition of Applying To College, a useful reference guide for 1998 school-leavers to third-level education, has just been published. Written by Raymond Dunne, it covers application procedures, entry requirements, grants, the points system, plc courses, private colleges, apprenticeship systems and lots of other areas of vital information. Published by Undergraduate Publications Ltd, it costs £8.80 and is available in Easons and other bookshops.
Science Week: Young people who want to know more about Science Week Ireland, which is running all this week until Sunday, can get details at www.forfas.ie on the web. A calender of events at venues around the country has been put together by Forfas to highlight the relevance and importance of science. It's called Wake Up To Science, Technology and Innovation! Events include film screenings, lectures, seminars, competitions, tours, discussions, conferences, dinners, book launches and exhibitions.
Send news in good time to Catherine Foley, Education & Living, The Irish Times, 13 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. Phone (01) 679 2002 or fax (01) 679 2789.
