Kilkenny Archaeological Society launches Fadó Fadó Sparking Memories competition for pupils and students

The Kilkenny Archaeological Society, Kilkenny County Council Library Service, and Rothe House Trust have launched this year’s Fadó, Fadó Sparking Memories competition, inviting pupils and students across County Kilkenny, from Fourth Class through to Sixth Year, to uncover the stories behind the places, near and far, that have shaped who they are.

Primary Schools: ‘A Building Speaks’

Pupils in Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Class are asked to choose a building, structure, or ruin in their locality, ranging from a family home, church, or school to a castle, mill, bridge, or ruin known only from an old photograph, and to investigate what it can reveal about the people who built it, lived or worked in it, and the changes it has undergone over time.

As Ireland prepares to take part in the 2027 Year of the Normans, this year’s primary competition also features a dedicated strand celebrating Kilkenny’s Norman heritage, including a special prize for the best entry exploring a Norman-era building, ruin, or site.

Secondary Schools: ‘The Past is My Place’

Students from First Year through to Sixth Year are invited to take part, and Junior Cycle CBA projects and Leaving Certificate RSRs are also welcome. Projects may focus on Kilkenny City and County, or on another place in Ireland or abroad with which the student has a personal connection.

Taking Part

Entrants at both levels are encouraged to visit or contact their local library, museum, or archive as part of their research. Staff at the Local Studies Department and across the county’s library branches are available to help. Class visits can be arranged by contacting [email protected].

“This is a great opportunity for students to become curious about the world around them and to act on that curiosity by becoming fully fledged researchers.” — Ann Murtagh, Vice-President of Kilkenny Archaeological Society.

“Every building has a voice. Through research, imagination, and curiosity, students can bring those voices to life and ensure they help to keep the collective memories of our communities alive." Alicia Dunphy, Local Studies Department. Kilkenny County Council Library Service.

The closing date for entries at both primary and secondary levels is 4pm on Friday, March 12, 2027. Winners will be notified on Friday, April 23, with prizes presented at a joint ceremony at the Mayfair Library at 5pm on Tuesday, May 4, 2027.

Prizes for primary entrants include €100, a cup, and a family pass to Rothe House and Gardens for first place; €75, a medal, and a family pass for second; and five Highly Commended certificates, alongside the dedicated Norman Heritage prize. Secondary prizes follow the same structure at both Junior and Senior level: €100, a cup, and a family pass for first place; €75, a medal, and a family pass for second; and five Highly Commended framed certificates at each level. Every entrant at both levels receives a certificate of participation, and winning entries will be published on the Kilkenny Library Digital Archive.

Full details, including submission forms and guidance notes for both competitions, are available at www.kilkennylibrary.ie.