The Co Donegal Historical Society is encouraging primary and secondary school students in County Donegal to submit applications to its annual schools’ competition.
This year’s theme is ‘Virtually 1916’ and asks students to put themselves in the place of a reporter in 1916 reporting on events of that year.
The closing date for the receipt of entries is Sunday, April 24. Full details of this year’s competition has been circulated to all schools by the Donegal Education Centre and are available on the County Donegal Historical Society website at www.donegalhistory.com
“We’re encouraging students to explore part of our history as we commemorate the centenary of 1916” explained Dr. Lochlann McGill, President of the County Donegal Historical Society.
“This year’s schools’ competition will address life and events in 1916 at local, national and/or international level. Events such as the Easter Rising and the on-going First World War influenced life and society in County Donegal and produced historical accounts that are studied by historians, teachers and students to the present day. As well as these signature events, it should not be forgotten that life went on in 1916 so local events, family histories and folk life are also of interest to historians and scholars.”
The format for the submission of entries is an eight-page A4-size news sheet for class submissions and a four-page A4-size news sheet for individual student submissions. Each news sheet should include articles that demonstrate historical research supported by evidence including examples, photographs and illustrations.
The news sheet does not need to be produced in electronic format but news sheets produced by hand will also need to be scanned and submitted by e-mail. Entries can be in Irish or English.
The County Donegal Historical Society is pleased to offer the following prizes in four categories:
Harley – McDonagh Trophy & €300: Best Primary School Class Entry
This award is named in honour of Hugh Harley, one of the original benefactors of the County Donegal Historical Society’s schools’ competition and former Wall Street financier, and J.C.T. McDonagh who served as President of the County Donegal Historical Society from 1958-1959.
Fr. Jackie Fitzgerald Memorial Trophy & €300: Best Secondary School Class Entry
This award is named in honour of Fr. Jackie Fitzgerald who was a historian, author and County Donegal Historical Society member from Inishowen.
Emerson Award & €100: Best Individual Primary Student Entry
This award is named in honour of Lucius & Kathleen Emerson. Lucius Emerson was a founder member of the County Donegal Historical Society in 1946 and served as curator of the County Donegal Historical Society museum from 1946 until 2005. Kathleen Emersen served as Honorary Secretary of the County Donegal Historical Society from 1960 to 2004.
Donald Mac Lochlainn Trophy & €300: Best Individual Secondary Student Entry
This award is named in honour of Donald Mac Lochlainn who was a life-long friend of the County Donegal Historical Society and whose father served as President of the County Donegal Historical Society in 1950.
All entries will be assessed by a panel of judges selected by the Executive Committee of the County Donegal Historical Society. The County Donegal Historical Society’s Schools’ Competition awards ceremony will take place in Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 7 p.m.
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