DUBLIN, Ireland – In Ireland it is almost impossible to find a village without at least one credit union. They are a way of life not just financially, but through events such as the annual knowledge quiz for school children run by the Irish League of Credit Unions. Credit unions glean publicity from the local schools to the national news. The National Final of the 15th Annual All-Ireland Schools Quiz was held April 2nd in Dublin and the results were broadcast on both TV3 and News2day, positive national publicity for the credit union movement. One hundred and three teams of four members participated from the original 25,000 children that began the process in January. Contestants began at the credit union level before going to a regional contest and the finals. There were two categories: one of children up to age 11 and one for children between the ages of 11 and 13. At each level prizes sponsored by the credit unions were awarded. The questions were worthy of an adult TV quiz such as The Weakest Link. Sample questions included: which common foodstuff, used as an alternative to butter, rich in fats and oils, was developed by French chemist H. Mge-Mouries in 1869? (Answer: Margarine); and name the northern European country, one-third of which lies above the Arctic Circle, that gave voting rights to both men and women in 1906 and gained its freedom from Russia in 1917? (Answer: Finland) Well-know television celebrity, Francis Boylan Jr., who presents The Den, a children's news service, acted as host and quizmaster for the second time. Lisdoonvarna's St. Enda's National School won for the under 11 age group and Rathcormac's Scoil Bhride won for the 11-13 age group. – [email protected]