Cashel Community School
The Ambush at Soloheadbeg
All Island History Competition
The decade 2012–2023 is categorised as the ‘Decade of Centenaries’ as it marks the centenary of a number of important historical events and developments that occurred in the period 1912–1923, and which formed a vital role in the formation of modern Ireland.
The Decade of Centenaries All-Island Schools’ History Competition, for both primary and post-primary, is run by the Department of Education and University College Cork School of History. It is supported by Áras an Uachtaráin, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and ‘History Ireland’.
This competition is intended to complement the history curriculum at both primary and post-primary levels. It can also help support and promote the study of history by students. The competition is entirely optional and is not intended to place any additional burden on schools, teachers or students.
2021 Competition Winners
Ireland and World War 1
This category involved a study of the Irish experience of the war from the perspective of an individual or group. This could have involved a focus on a particular battle, an individual participant’s story or a consideration of the entire 1914–1918 period.
The Irish in the Gallipoli Campaign
This is an outstanding project. Extremely well written and well researched. Beautiful presentation, very well structured. This is inspired work, clearly that of the student herself, brimming with close engagement and originality. Highly impressive and deserving.
by Róisín Ní Uallacháin (Colaiste Íosagáin, Stillorgan Road, Co. Dublin)The Great War, Battle of Ginchy: From the Perspective of Patrick Joseph Ahern by Damien Delaney (St. Brendan’s Community School, Cappaneale, Birr, Co. Offaly)
Excellent project, with extremely impressive presentation and structure. Brilliantly researched story of an ancestor serving in WW1, all put into context most effectively. Extremely strong competitor for prize. Outstanding work.
Revolution in Ireland
This category involved a study of a political/revolutionary event from the 1912–1923 period, a particular aspect of the event, or an individual/ group/organisation associated with it.
My great-grandfather Fionán Lynch, a “determined man”
by Lasara Lynch (Mount Anville Secondary School, Dublin 14)Excellent project, with extremely impressive presentation and structure. Brilliantly researched story of an ancestor who was very active in the revolutionary period, all put into context most effectively. Excellent focus and detail, very well written. Extremely strong competitor for prize.
War of Independence
This category involved a study of a political/revolutionary event from the 1919–1923 period, a particular aspect of the event, or an individual/group/organisation associated with it.
The Kilmichael Ambush
by Bláithín O’Connor (St Mary’s Secondary School, Charleville Co.CorkImpressive, intelligent essay, well-structured with good, sustained argument throughout. Fine discussion of topic, though there are various key sources missing. Fine presentation but I am not sure that full potential has been realised here.
Women’s History
This category involved a study of a particular individual/group/organisation/movement striving to improve the quality of women’s lives or involved in revolutionary activity in Ireland in the 1912–1923 period.
Margaret Skinnider, Easter Rising Sharpshooter
by Aeshna Kumar (Midleton College, Connolly St, Midleton, Co. Cork)Outstanding project, excellent presentation, writing and research. Plenty of good sources used, but there could be so much more – Skinnider’s military service pension application is a classic, and easily accessible. Ideal subject. Excellent work. Highly deserving.
Civil War
This category involved a study of a particular individual/organisation/group/movement/event during the civil war in Ireland and its impact.
The Death of Michael O’Neill, the Dunmanway Killings and their impact on the West Cork IRA and the local Protestant population
by Conor Brennan (Ardscoil Uí Urmoltaigh, Bandon, Co. Cork)This student could have availed of more published sources on this subject and could easily have included useful visual material in support, but this is an impressive essay with some fine analysis. Great topic, very good work, but potential not fully realised in terms of project.
Ireland and World War 1
This category involves a study of the Irish experience of the war from the perspective of an individual or group. This could have involved a focus on a particular battle, an individual participant’s story or a consideration of the entire 1914–1918 period.
Nicholas Hurst - A Family Hero
Brilliant project. Clear engagement from student. Beautifully put together – family heritage aspect, etc. woven together in such a neat presentation. Excellent research. Great focus, and puts Hurst’s experience into perspective extremely well. First class project. Highly deserving.
by Lloyd Tomkins (Jonathan Swift National School, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow)
Revolution in Ireland
This category involved a study of a political/revolutionary event from the 1912–1923 period, a particular aspect of the event, or an individual/group/organisation associated with it.
Michael Mulvihill
by 6 th Class, Sliabh a’ Mhadra N.S., Ballyduff, Tralee, Co. KerryOutstanding project. Clear engagement from class, doing fieldwork, research, etc. Enthusiasm brimming from this project. Excellent students and teacher. Exemplary work, fascinating subject, inspiring project. Highly deserving.
War of Independence
This category involved a study of an event of political or cultural significance in any region of Ireland in the 1912-1923 period, a particular aspect of the event, or an individual/group/organisation associated with it.
Scramogue Ambush, 23rd March 1921
by Gerald Greene, (Roxboro N.S., Derrane, Co. Roscommon)Outstanding project. Clear engagement from student, excellent research and great use of imagination in presentation – outstanding use of visual material, which greatly enhances project. All the best ingredients in here again. Hard work and dedication too. I can only applaud this inspiring work. Richly deserving.
Women’s History
This category involved a study of a particular individual/group/organisation/movement striving to improve the quality of women’s lives or involved in revolutionary activity in Ireland in the 1912–1923 period
Four Influential Ryan sisters of Tomcoole
Extremely interesting and impressive project. Four varied and significant lives connected by family, has all the essentials for an excellent local history study. Fine use of visual material. Excellent project.
by Kayleigh Walker, Carla Harpur,Elizabeth Colfer, Sean Furlong, Madison Murphy, Billy Carroll (Danescastle N.S. (SN Mhuire) Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford)
