Ballinagar NS and Geashill NS the main winners at Tullamore Credit Union Quiz

The minds of pupils from numerous County Offaly schools were put to the test at the recently hosted Tullamore Credit Union Primary Schools Quiz.

The annually hosted event, which took place in the Tullamore Court Hotel, saw 215 pupils representing 22 schools in what has now become an eagerly contested competition.

Opening proceedings, Siobhain Arnold Marketing Officer with Tullamore Credit Union, welcomed all those in attendance, providing some interesting facts about Tullamore Credit Union as she did so.

"Tullamore Credit Union is the fifth largest Credit Union in the country with a membership of 39,000 members," Ms Arnold said.

There was great support on the night from parents and teachers. Upon registration each child who participated was given a €5 voucher to lodge to a new or existing Credit Union account, encouraging them to start a lifetime of sensible saving.

Quizmaster Ger Scully set 60 brain-teasing questions that had many of the adults present seeking answers, not the students! The standard of general knowledge was of the highest order as the final scores showed.

A dual competition, pupils representing third and fourth class contested the Junior competition while fifth and sixth class pupils completed an extra two rounds as they participated for the Senior competition. Both competitions necessitated the requirement for a tie-breaker session for first and second positions, indicating how the competition was so evenly contested.

The evening was one laden with excitement as the participating teams and their supporters gave full support to their respective schools. Liam O'Callaghan, a member of the Board of Directors, encouraged Deputy CEO Caroline Collins Murphy to sing a song, much to the amusement of the crowd. Caroline, not one to back down from a challenge, was joined by the Tullamore Credit Union team, who performed their famous TikTok song 'TCU Loans are Hot to Go', adding even more energy and entertainment to the night.

The children added to the lively atmosphere by drumming on the tables in excitement, creating a unique rhythm that contributed to the buzz of the evening. The evening was a wonderful celebration of community spirit, with the perfect blend of competition, teamwork and light-hearted fun, leaving all involved eager for next year’s competition.

Each team member received a plaque and €100 voucher for first prize and a plaque for the school Second prize was a €75 voucher for each team member. Third prize was a €50 voucher for each team member, while fourth prize was a €35 voucher for each team member.

The four winning senior teams will represent Tullamore Credit Union in the C.U.D.A National Final taking place in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Saturday, March 1 at 11am.

Senior Competition Winners - 1st Ballinagar NS; 2nd Geashill NS; 3rd Killeigh NS; 4th Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada NS

Junior Competition Winners - 1st Geashill NS; 2nd Daingean NS; 3rd Ballinagar NS; 4th Tullamore Educate Together NS