My Original Book Character Competition
DCU Library is delighted to announce the 'My Original Book Character competition.' The competition is open to primary school students in three age categories: 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. The deadline for competition entries is 12th February 2026.
Three €25 book tokens will be awarded in each age category: one for the most original design, one for the funniest character and one for the most creative use of materials. There will also be a raffle prize of a €10 book token for an entry picked at random.
Clíodhna Noonan, DCU CYPA Artist in Residence
Cliodhna Noonan, DCU's Arts Council CYPA artist in residence for 2025-2026 will judge the competition. The nine finalists will be exhibited in the foyer of Cregan Library on the DCU St Patrick's Campus Drumcondra from 2nd-10th March, to coincide with World Book Day on 5th March. This exhibition will be open to the public during the library's opening hours.
Please print and share the competition template attached below with primary school students who would like to take part. There is an English language version and a leagan Gaeilge. The template should be printed in A3 size, the character's name and character traits (honest, evil, strong, messy, sarcastic etc.) should be filled in on the front. The student and guardian details should be fully filled in on the back.
The deadline for the competition is 5pm on Thursday 12th February and each student can submit one entry. Competition entries can be returned to Cregan Library by dropping them in to the Library help desk or by posting them to: The My Original Book Character Competition, Cregan Library, DCU St Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra, D09 AW21.
The guardians of the nine finalists and the raffle prize winner will be contacted by the library events team by 27th February.