Kilkenny Young Researchers Competition for Primary Schools

Fadó Fadó - Sparking Memories

Kilkenny Young Researchers Competition for Primary Schools (4th – 6th Classes)

The Kilkenny Archaeological Society, Kilkenny County Council Library Service, and Rothe House Trust are running a competition for pupils in upper primary school (4th-6th classes). We invite and encourage students to become young researchers and historians as they dig deep into history to learn about their local heritage and/or family history.

The theme of this year’s competition is Stories from the Lives of People in the Past.

Click here for Primary Schools submission form

Competition Rules

Entries must be based on the history of a person in your local area or in your family.

Essay Format (1000 words maximum) A4 (presentation booklet). Handwritten entries are welcome, but Word documents are also acceptable. Drawings and images are also welcome to accompany the essay.

Research process: We encourage entrants to contact and/or visit local museums, local libraries and archives as part of their research. Entrants are also encouraged to orally engage with people of interest from their own locality. We have a dedicated Local Studies Department in John’s Green, Kilkenny. Staff there will be available to help with your research, provide support, answer questions, and offer general guidance. Also, staff will be at hand to help at the eight library branches across County Kilkenny: Callan, Castlecomer, Ferrybank, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Urlingford, as well as two branches in Kilkenny City – Loughboy Library and the Mayfair Library.

Like to set up a class visit to your local library? Contact lstudies@kilkennylibrary.ie to arrange it.

Referencing: Entrants are requested to acknowledge their sources, including online sources.

Use of images: Entrants are encouraged to include images in their submissions. See submission for consent, etc.

Submission: Please fill in the submission form. Entries may be submitted to Kilkenny County Council Library Services, Local Studies Department, John’s Green House, John’s Green, Kilkenny, R95 YH61 in person or by email to lstudies@kilkennylibrary.ie on or prior to the competition deadline of 4 pm on Friday 13th February 2026. Each entrée will receive a certificate of participation. For more information, see www.kilkennylibrary.ie

Marking System: Projects will be marked under the following headings:

1. 1. Use of primary sources Pupils are encouraged to work with original materials such as photographs, letters, newspapers, oral histories/interviews, or official records.
2. 2. Historical accuracy Projects should reflect a true and faithful representation of past events, people, and contexts. Pupils should check their facts carefully and avoid adding details that are not supported by evidence.
3. 3. Understanding and insight Work should show that pupils can think about history. This includes analysing sources, explaining cause and effect, identifying change and continuity, and making thoughtful connections.
4. 4. Presentation The way the project is put together matters. Clear, neat handwriting (if that is the chosen method of presentation), well-chosen visuals, and logical organisation help communicate ideas effectively and make the work engaging.
5. 5. Effort and participation Credit is given for the time, creativity, and involvement shown. Genuine effort and active participation are valued.

Winners will be announced on Friday, 10th April 2026.

Prizes: 1st €100 and cup              2nd €75 and a medal                    Highly commended 5 certificates

Every entrant will receive a certificate of participation. Winning entries will be digitised and available for online viewing on the Kilkenny Library Digital Archive. https://digital-archive.kilkenny.ie/  (Last year’s entries can be viewed now.) 1st and 2nd prize-winners will also be given a family pass to Rothe House and Gardens. The prize-giving ceremony will take place in the Mayfair Library at 5 pm on Tuesday, 21st April 2026.