At a glance

• Value: €500
• You must be a current UCC Student or a graduate of not more than two years' standing to be eligible for this prize
• Questions about this Prize can be directed to Ailbhe.nighearbhuigh@ucc.ie

In 1918 some admirers of the literary work of Mícheál Óg Ó Longáin, a Cork poet (1766-1827), decided to inaugurate a fund to perpetuate his memory, in recognition of his efforts for the preservation and extension of Irish literature. In 1919 the fund of €178 was raised by public subscription. The committee in charge handed over the proceeds to the Governing Body of University College Cork, for investment in Irish securities, the annual interest thereon to be spent on book prizes for the encouragement of literary work in the Irish language. The total amount now available each year for these prizes is c. €500.

Eligibility / Selection

The following conditions of award of the prizes were adopted by the Governing Body:

1. That the prizes be called "The O'Longan Memorial Prizes", each book to be stamped "Duais i gcuimhne ar Mhícheál Óg Ó Longáin".
2. That they be awarded for merit in original composition in Irish, either prose or poetry.
3. That the subject of composition be at the discretion of the competitor.
4. That the prizes be open to competition among student members of University College Cork, as well as graduates of not more than two years' standing.
5. That the adjudication be made by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, whose award shall be final.
6. That where merit is shown the prizes may be divided.
7. That a first prize be not awarded more than once to any competitor.
8. That the last day in any year for receiving compositions be the 17th of March.
9. That a competitor may be required to give proof of the genuineness of a composition.
10. That the prizes be not awarded unless literary merit be shown.
11. That if the prizes be not awarded in any year, the proceeds from the fund be used as an addition to the library grant for the purchase of Irish books, magazines, pamphlets and MSS., such books, etc., to bear a stamp showing the source from which they have been provided.

*Note: These awards are funded from endowments made by the respective donors to the University for awards to be made in perpetuity. The funds donated are invested, and the annual income is the amount available for the award. Due to fluctuation in the investment market, the amounts available from year to year may vary, upwards and downwards; for this reason, the value of any award referred to in this section is indicative only, and may be higher or lower when the amount of the award is completed.