12 May 2006

Schools Competition Promotes History Awareness



What have the "The Crossbarry Ambush", "The Cork Barrack Street Band" and "The German Submarines in the Dingle peninsula, 1939-1945" in common?  These are just some of the topics submitted by second level students from all over Munster to the annual schools history project competition organised by the Schools Liaison and Outreach Committee of the Department of History, UCC.  Students in both the Junior and Leaving Certificate cycles were invited to submit an extended essay or project, certified by their teacher as their own work, on a subject of local historical interest.

"We received over 100 submissions in the competition. The standard of entries was excellent. The winning projects were creative, original, mature and substantial pieces of work, presented with clarity and enthusiasm" said Dr Diarmuid Scully, Chair of the Committee.  Dr Scully explained: "this competition was established in 2005 to make students aware of the rich historical context in which they live and how the history of their locality continues to influence the lives of people living in the area.  By fostering interest at second level, we hope to encourage students to pursue that interest at third level here in UCC."

Professor Dermot Keogh, Head of the Department of History and Professor David Cox, Head of College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences welcomed the prize-winners, their families and members of the History Department to a prize-giving ceremony at UCC.  Professor Keogh, who first instigated the competition, presented prizes to the six prize-winners. First Prize in the Junior Cycle was awarded to Sheila Griffin from Milltown Presentation Secondary School, Co. Kerry for her essay titled "The amazing conversion of Fr John Sullivan" whilst Paula Lehane, from Beara Community School, Castletownbere took first place in the Senior Cycle with her essay titled "The ambush at Crossbarry, 1921".

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