A report on zebra mussels and a long poem praising the discovery of the telescope were the joint winning papers in the 1998 Young Science Writers' Competition. Students in three age categories from 12 to 19 were asked to write a journalistic report, story or a poem on either science fact or science fiction.
Ms Claire Browne, of Mount Anville secondary school, Dublin, won joint first for her report, "Zebra Mussels - Are we under attack". Mr Gareth Bryan, of Dublin City University, shared first for his poem, "A Telescopic Tribute". Both received £250 and an additional £100 as winners in their respective categories.
The competition was organised by the RDS in association with Technology Ireland, the Marine Institute and the Provincial Newspapers' Association, and supported by the Irish Postmasters Union. Other winners included: David Murray, Gonzaga College, Dublin; Conor Kelly, Bishop Galvin NS, Dublin; Ciara Furlong, Loreto College, St Stephen's Green; Morgan McEvoy, St Kieran's College, Kilkenny; David Murray, Gonzaga College; Irene O'Daly, Loreto College; Sarah Geoghegan, Mount Anville; Paul Daly, CBC, Cork; Alan Hanley, Colaiste Einde, Galway; Iseult Murphy, St Vincent's Seconday School, Dundalk; Caroline Barry, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon.