Issued May 15th 2007

RUAIRĺ QUINN T.D. GUEST OF HONOUR AT 53rd TEXACO CHILDREN'S ART COMPETITION AWARDS CEREMONY

DUBLIN – 17 MAY 2007 - Former Labour Party leader Ruairí Quinn T.D., himself a previous prize-winner in the competition, was guest of honour at the 53rd Texaco Children's Art Competition Awards ceremony held in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin yesterday (Wednesday, 16 May) where he presented prizes to the winners of this year's competition. He was welcomed on arrival by Declan McAndrew, Chevron Country Chairman. After viewing the prize-winning entries, he met the 161 young artists and their parents who had travelled from all parts of Ireland to receive their prizes. They included the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize-winners and twenty Special Merit Award winners in each of seven age categories.

Clare student wins €2,000 Overall Award plus €1,500 UTV/Texaco Commission
Leading the list of winners was 17-year old Clare student Cillian Boyd from Ennis, first prize winner in Category A (16-18 years) and the artist chosen to be the overall winner of the competition. A student at Gaelcholáiste An Chláir, Ennis, Cillian won first prize for his painting entitled 'Rising Trout'. It was described by Chevron Country Chairman, Declan McAndrew as, “A work of exceptional maturity which captures the beauty and tranquillity which anglers can experience in their pursuit of one of Ireland's most cherished marine species.”

A frequent winner in the competition, Cillian is justly regarded as one of Ireland's most talented young artists. He first entered the Texaco Children's Art competition in the year 2000, winning first prize in the under-12 age category. In each year since then, he has been amongst the top prize winners with a record of achievement that includes two firsts, two thirds and four special merit awards. In addition to his €2,000 top prize, Cillian also received the €1,500 UTV/Texaco Young Artist Commission which is presented each year to the overall winner.

In Category B (14-15 years), the €400 first prize-winner was 15-year old John Macken from St. Mary's CBS., Enniscorthy for his painting entitled 'Woodland' while, in Category C (12-13 years), first prize of €300 went to 13-year old Kelli-Ann Masterson from Gorey Community School for her study entitled 'Bob The Squirrel'. In Category D (9-11 years), first prize of €200 was won by 10-year old Hannah Maharry, a student at St. Patrick's National School, Dalkey for her painting entitled 'Lily Alone' while, in Category E (7-8 years), the first prize of €150 went to 7-year old Wexford student Emma Morris from Our Lady of Fatima National School, Barntown for her colorful study entitled 'All Kinds Of Fruit and a Bottle'.

In Category F (6 years and under), the youngest age group in the competition, first prize-winner of €100 was 4-year old Julia McDonagh, a student at St. Joseph's National School, Ballymun, for her delightful entry entitled 'Scarecrow Collage'. In Category G, reserved for entries from children with special needs, first prize of €400 went to 15-year old Aisling Reynolds, a student at St. Clare's Comprehensive, Manorhamilton, for her entry entitled 'Flowers'. Second and third prizes in the seven competition age categories went to students from Cork, Donegal, Wexford, Dublin, Limerick, Monaghan, Wicklow, Laois and Louth.

29 counties feature on winners' list - Dublin most successful county overall
This year, twenty-nine counties were represented on the overall list of winners. Amongst the top prize-winners, Dublin and Wexford were the most successful counties taking four top awards each. When Special Merit winners were included, Dublin was also the most successful county with 39 winners overall followed by Cork (14), Wexford (13), Westmeath (11), Wicklow (9), Mayo (8), Antrim & Monaghan (7), Galway & Tipperary (6), Louth (5), Cavan, Down & Meath (4), Clare & Donegal (3), Derry, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim & Limerick (2) with Armagh, Carlow, Kerry, Kilkenny, Longford, Roscommon, Sligo and Waterford receiving one each.

Final judging was carried out by the Chairman of the judging panel, Professor Declan McGonagle, Chair of Art & Design at the University of Ulster. Preliminary judges were Brenda McParland (Senior Curator & Head of Exhibitions, Irish Museum of Modern Art), Eoin Butler (Artist and Lecturer in the Visual Arts), Dr. Denise Ferran (Artist and Art Historian), Colleen Frew (Education Officer, Ulster Museum, Belfast) and Brian Owens, (Design Manager, Ulster Television).

Commenting, Declan McGonagle spoke of the 'wealth of creativity' that exists amongst Ireland's young people as indicated by the continuing popularity of the competition and the high level of entries (almost 33,000) which it attracts annually. Praising parents and teachers for their role in fostering an appreciation of art amongst our young people, Prof. McGonagle pointed to the quality and creativity evident across all age categories together with the very advanced levels of style and composition shown by winners in the senior age groups.

Now in its 53rd year, the Texaco Children's Art Competition is the longest running event in the history of art sponsorship in Ireland. It is open to all children from 6 years and under up to 18 years. The Competition attracts over 30,000 entries annually.

END.

Editors’ notes

Chevron (Ireland) Ltd. is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, which markets its fuels under the Texaco brand across Europe, among other markets. Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading energy companies. With more than 56,000 employees, Chevron conducts business in approximately 180 countries around the world, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas, and refining, marketing and distributing fuels and other energy products. Chevron is based in San Ramon, California, USA. More information on Chevron is available at www.chevron.com

There are approximately 250 Texaco-branded service stations in Ireland and more than 2,000 across Europe. Chevron Ireland also holds an equity stake in four fuel storage facilities as well as operating aviation and commercial & industrial fuels, fuel cards and lubricants businesses. For more information, visit www.texaco.ie

For any media enquiries about the Texaco Children’s Art Competition, call Don Hall, Hall PR on 01 660 9377 or email don@hall.ie. For further information on Chevron Ireland, contact Daniel Schraibman on 0044 207 719 4459 or email danielschraibman@chevron.com