Celebrating excellence: UCC School of History Prize-giving Ceremony 2025

20 Feb 2025

• Ceremony honoured the achievements of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Outstanding history students were celebrated at UCC School of History’s Annual Prize-giving Ceremony on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, in the Aula Maxima, UCC. The event honoured the achievements of undergraduate and postgraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence, dedication, and innovative research.   

The ceremony highlighted the academic excellence of students across various disciplines including European Studies, Irish History, Medieval History and Economic History. 

This year’s ceremony was a particularly poignant occasion as the School paid tribute to three esteemed and much-missed colleagues: Mr Gabriel Doherty, UCC history lecturer and author; Dr Alan McCarthy, UCC part-time lecturer and research historian; and Professor Chris Williams, Professor of History and Head of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC. 

Dr Hiram Morgan, Head of UCC School of History, said: "Gabriel Doherty, Alan McCarthy, and Chris Williams were not only exceptional historians but also deeply valued members of our community. By establishing these prizes in their name, we ensure that their dedication to scholarship and education continues to inspire future generations of students at UCC. Their contributions will always be remembered, and their legacy lives on in the success of our students." 

“The UCC School of History remains committed to nurturing the next generation of historians and scholars, and our annual prize-giving ceremony stands as a testament to the excellence and ambition that define the School. Congratulations to all award recipients on their well-earned success,” Dr Morgan said.  

Awards presented during the ceremony included: 

History Student of the Year Awards

Year I: Maria Scanlan

Year II: Freyja Hellebust

Year III: Donal O’Connell

European Studies Student of the Year Awards

Year I: Hannah Forde

Year II: Kira Le Duff

Year III (Year Abroad): Sofia El Haouari

Year IV: Glen Rothwell

European Studies Dissertation of the Year

Julia Maria Celej

The Leanora Hanrahan Prize in History

Sara Liani

The Gabriel Doherty Prize in Irish History

David Cronin

The James and Mary Hogan Prize in History

Manus Harte

The Dermot Keogh Prize in Irish History

Fiona Hyde

The J.J. Lee History Prize

Patricia O’Keeffe

The John A. Murphy Prize in Irish History

Diane Sheehy

The John B. O’Brien Annual Prize in History

Katie Hickey

The Chris Williams Prize in History

Alísha Heffernan

The Jennifer O’Reilly Prize in Medieval History

Shane O’Sullivan

The Polish Ambassador Prize in History

Conor Hogan

The Alan McCarthy Prize in Irish History

Pat Duggan

For details on History prizes and History scholarships at UCC, visit https://www.ucc.ie/en/scholarships