2007 Schools’ Prize in History Trinity College, Dublin, in association with Four Courts Press, History Ireland and The Irish Times
Published in 20th-century / Contemporary History, Issue 5 (Sep/Oct 2006), News, Volume 14
The annual Schools’ Prize in History is run by Trinity College, Dublin, in association with Four Courts Press, History Ireland and The Irish Times. This all-Ireland project/essay competition is open to all full-time second-level students in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland, and has a junior category (up to Junior Certificate/1st–3rd form), a middle category (for Transition Year/GCSE level) and a senior category (up to Leaving Certificate/A Level).
The competition has been running for a number of years and provides a great opportunity for young people to put the analytical and writing skills that they develop in school to use in a practical, fun and beneficial way. It gives secondary school students an opportunity to engage with the demands of academic writing and to experience some of the challenges that will face them if they choose to go on to third-level education.
The adjudication of the essays is carried out under the supervision of the heads of the History and Education departments at Trinity. Specially commissioned medals (sponsored by Four Courts Press) are awarded to the first- and second-placed prizewinner in each category. The first-placed prizewinner in each category also receives €100. Within each category, project essays may be entered in one of three topic areas:
A: Irish history (categories cover the Viking Age, church and society in the medieval and early modern periods, economic development in post-1800 Ireland, and the history of Irish culture since 1800).
B: European history (categories cover the Norman Age, church and society during the medieval and early modern periods, eastern Europe in medieval or modern times, and cultural history since the French Revolution).
C: Local history (entries in this area can relate to any period of history, from earliest cultures to the twenty-first century).
The prizes are awarded at a ceremony in Trinity in May of each year. The closing date for applications is 18 April 2007.
Enquiries: Ivar McGrath, Extramural and Outreach Coordinator, School of Histories and Humanities, Trinity College, Dublin 2, +353 (0)1 8968589, mcgratci@tcd.ie, www.tcd.ie/Modern History/Events/schools.php
The 2006 senior category winning essay, ‘County Kildare and Home Rule’ by Fiona Nelson, will be published in next issue’s (Nov./Dec.) ‘curriculum’ section.
