Schools honoured for their work on Cork history projects

The award ceremony for the Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project 2026 took place recently at the concert hall in Cork City Hall.

Approximately 1,200 students from 31 schools across Cork city took part in the project for the 2025/2026 school year. 

This included schools in Douglas, Ballinlough, Beaumont, Blackrock and with a reach to Glanmire, Ballincollig and inner city schools as well.

There were 200 project books submitted on all aspects of local history in Cork, along with the cultural and built heritage of Leeside.

The Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project is into a 24th year and it is a youth platform for students to do research and write it up in a project book on any topic of Cork history.

The primary objective of the project is to allow students to explore, investigate and debate their local heritage in a constructive, active and fun way.

The co-ordinator and founder of the project, councillor Kieran McCarthy told The Echo that he was full of praise for the high standard of work produced by the young people involved.

“Every year the project books that are produced are amazing. There is a huge appetite amongst our young people to learn about our local history and to celebrate it.

“For every student as well there is also family support. So whereas there are 1,200 students involved, one could multiple that by a factor of four or five when you take the support of immediate family members into account.

“This year great projects were written up on Cork landmarks such as The River Lee to Shandon to streets such as St Patrick’s Street to an array of oral history projects.

“I’ve even seen very original projects, such as this year I received a number of history trails on local neighbourhoods. 

"The standard of model making and short film making, to go with project books, continues to be very high and very creative."

Mr McCarthy added: “It’s been always about building the generation of people interested in Cork. Yes, the historical story is at the heart of it.

“But over the years and collaboratively with teachers and principals, one of the elements we are seeing as well is that there is lots to see in Cork, that sometimes the kids don’t get a chance to see. We are all living in busy worlds. 

"So it is an opportunity for someone to study something on their doorstep."

Mr McCarthy also said that the project serves as a platform for young people in researching and celebrating Cork's local history and built heritage.

“That is an important thing building a sense of place and building a sense of pride. I think as Cork people we always say it exists and it is there, but we should never take it for granted and we should keep building on it.

“I just find that the Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project is a great way for people to discover one topic to work one and deep dive down into it.

“I think at it’s heart, it is about building the next generation of interests.” 

The project is funded by Cork city council, with further sponsorship offered by Old Cork Waterworks Experience, Learnit Lego Education and Councillor Kieran McCarthy.

Full results for the Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project 2026 can be found online on Mr McCarthy's heritage website, corkheritage.ie.