'Cathal, your word is frequency'.

' Frequency… f-r-e-q-u-e-n-c-y… Frequency'.

'Correct'.

No way, I won, oh my gosh I won! I won! Let’s go!

‘Congratulations to Cathal as he will be representing Ballyconnell in the Carlow Spelling Bee'. Sorry about that, maybe I should go back to the start and introduce myself.

My name is Cathal Nolan and I represented Ballyconnell NS in the Carlow Spelling Bee. Some people might be disappointed in coming 5th but I’m proud and glad as I’m the 5th best speller in Carlow, plus not in a million years am I going to the Leinster Finals in 5^th class as I probably don’t stand a chance against 6^th class.

Anyway, l’II tell you what happened. We arrived at the car park of the Talbot Hotel. Walking in, I felt like I had to win for the school and the lads plus one of my cousins was there competing against me. We arrived early to the hotel. We went in and they gave me a top to show I was competing and also signed us in. We sat down and I regretted it as a bunch of thoughts came to my head. What if I lose? When I win, what will I do? What if come last?

But before I knew it, they were calling us up to the stage. There were 9 other schools competing. The practice round flew by but then came the actual round.

‘Cathal your word is nervous'.

Okay, come on, let’s go. 'Nervous… N-E--R-V-O-U-S… nervous'.

'Correct'.

Let’s go - one round down.

The next round came. 'Cathal, your word is circumstance'.

Okay it’s challenging but l'll manage it. ‘Circumstance… c-i-r-c-u-m-s-t-a-n-c-e'.

'Correct'.

It went on like this for the next four rounds with each round shortening the number of people until the seventh round. It was in the top 5 and I felt the pressure.

'Cathal your word is whinge'.' Whinge… w-i-n-g-e… whinge'.

'So sorry Cathal but that is incorrect. The correct spelling is w-h-i-n-g-e'.

That’s what happened at the Carlow Spelling Bee.

All the competitors at the 2023 Carlow County Final Spelling Bee