SONGWRITER Helen Bonney is hoping to go one better at this year’s International Song of Peace Contest in Ireland.

Helen, from Warmwell, came second in the competition three years ago but is gunning for victory this time around.

The contest is part of the two-day International Peace Convention, which also incorporates the International Peace Prize Award.

It is the 25th anniversary of the accolade, which has been won by the likes of Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and Bob Geldof in the past.

Helen was browsing the internet back in 2006 when she first stumbled across the International Song of Peace Contest.

She entered and reached the final that year with a tune written about peace award winner Rafic Hariri, which came second.

Helen decided to mark the convention’s anniversary this year by entering again – and was delighted when she was again named as a finalist.

“I thought I’d have another go but I figured I didn’t stand a chance of making the final again,” she said.

“But it’s absolutely wonderful to get another shot at it. I want to win it this time, that would be nice.

“But either way it really is a wonderful occasion and to even be involved with it is just fantastic.”

Helen’s song, ‘Children of the World’, will be performed by her son Jack Cooke, 36, at the contest on May 2.

But there will be stiff competition from acts from across the world at the final, held at the Excel Centre in Tipperary Town.

Helen said: “The song is a pop ballad and Jack’s a bit of a ‘rocker’ so it’s not the sort of thing he normally sings.

“But he’s a fantastic musician and there’s also going to be a children’s choir performing with him.

“We’re on last which I’m really pleased about as well. I think it should be a real spectacle.”

Helen is also a children’s author and is set to release her latest book, The Woppapotamus from Titan meets the Children of the World, later this year.

She said a special children’s version of the song would be included in the book launch.

The International Peace Convention was created to promote peace at a national and global level. This year the International Peace Prize Award is going to the Cluster Munition Coalition, for its work in trying to rid the world of cluster bombs.