'THE BRENDAN AWARD'
ARTISTS' STATEMENT
The design of The Brendan Award is based on the concept of St. Brendan
The Navigator, featuring a sail-form, cast in bronze which carries the
emblem of The Celtic Cross. While the sail is symbolic of the Irish who
have come to Australia, either as emigrants or visitors, on a mission to
represent Ireland in some useful capacity, the Celtic Cross is the ubiquitous
symbol of the early Irish Christians. These stalwart sailors, who were
reputed to be great navigators and explorers of the 6th, 7th and 8th centuries,
left their native shores to bring the culture of Ireland to the four corners
of the globe (the 'known world' of their time). Courage, bravery determination
and endurance are amongst the qualities attributed to these people and
are embodied in this sculpture. Specifically, this Award endeavors to pay
tribute to all those of Irish background who have contributed these qualities
to the advancement of Australian Irish Heritage ideals. The sail element,
cast in bronze, with mirror-polished cross in relief, stands on a base
of polished West Australian Black Granite, which, in turn is symbolic of
the seas which St. Brendan and his followers, (down to the present time)
had to cross, in order to bring the cultural heritage of Ireland to far
off lands. Again, the qualities of endurance, strength and nobility of
purpose are embodied in this stone.
Joan Walsh-Smith
Charles Smith
For nomination details and form for the Brendan
Award click here
The Joe O'Sullivan Writers Prize
formerly the Catalpa Writers Prize
The Australian-Irish Association's literary prize to commemorate the Great
Irish Famine of 1846-51 is awarded each year by a competition conducted
in association with Community Aid Abroad.
The results for 2004 are:
click here for winners
Click
for details and rules of the Joe O'Sullivan Writers prize
The winner will receive $1000 Our thanks go to all competitors,
SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS FOR IRISH
STUDIES
Note: The Australian-Irish Heritage Foundation
no longer gives scholarships. Instead they are sponsoring Erin Press which publishes books
on an Irish topic.
Click here for
Erin press web site
Further details from:
Australian-Irish Heritage Foundation
PO Box 1583
Subiaco WA 6904
Tel/Fax 08 9457 1924