Prizes

ANNE O’CATHASAIGH PRIZE

This prize was founded in 2003 in memory of Anne O’Cathasaigh and is awarded annually for an essay (c. 5,000 words) on W.B. Yeats. Value, €400. Essays should reach the Head of Discipline of the School of English by 31st January 2025.

Topic for 2025: Yeats and Money

COSTELLO PRIZE IN ENGLISH LITERATURE

This prize derives from the bequest made in 1954 by Miss Louisa G. Costello. It is awarded annually to the woman student who achieves the best performance in the annual Senior Freshman examination in Trinity term in English. Value, €45.

COTTER PRIZE IN MODERN LANGUAGES

This prize was founded in 1953 by a bequest from W.E.P. Cotter. It is awarded annually to the most highly placed unsuccessful Joint Honours candidate for scholarship in modern languages and literature. Value, €75.

DR HENRY HUTCHINSON STEWART LITERARY SCHOLARSHIPS

These scholarships were founded in 1884 by a bequest from Henry Hutchinson Stewart. Two scholarships, value €500 and €400, are awarded annually to those students who have obtained the highest aggregate of marks in the two-subject moderatorship examinations and whose major subject was a modern language (English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian, Spanish). At least one scholarship is reserved for a student whose minor subject was also a modern language. If holders are engaged on full-time postgraduate study in the area of modern languages, the scholarships are increased to €4,445 and €3,175, and renewed at this level for a maximum of a further two years.

EDWARD MILLINGTON STEPHENS PRIZE

This prize was founded in 1972 by a bequest from Mrs L.M. Stephens. The prize will be awarded annually for an essay on some aspect of the Anglo-Irish literary movement. Value, €166. Essays should be submitted by 31st January 2025.

Topic for 2025: Collaboration

MOLLY OWEN FUND

To be used primarily to aid students who wish to pursue a career in writing.

PRIZE IN OLD AND MIDDLE ENGLISH

This prize is awarded annually to the student obtaining the highest marks in English language in the Freshman years. Value, €30.

RICHARD F. LITTLEDALE PRIZE

This prize was founded in 1892 by subscription in memory of Richard F. Littledale. The prize is divided and is awarded annually for the highest marks, without loss of class, at the Senior Freshman honor examination in English to a Senior Freshman student in single honors English and to a Senior Freshman student of English in two-subject moderatorship. Value (division I) single honors, €350; (division II) two-subject moderatorship, €350.

ROBERT WALLACE HENRY EXHIBITION

This exhibition was founded in 1946 by a gift from Mrs A. Wallace Henry. It is awarded to the student who gets the highest marks in English at the annual Junior Freshman honor examination. Value, €25.

SHERIDAN PRIZE

This prize was founded by a gift from an anonymous donor in 1961. It is awarded annually on the recommendation of the Professor of English Literature for an essay on some aspect of the English language after 1400, by a student below M.A. standing. The Professor of English Literature will announce the topics for the following year before the end of Trinity term. Essays should reach the Head of Discipline of the School of English by 31st January 2025. Value, about €200.

Topic for 2025: Dialect

VICE-CHANCELLOR’S PRIZES

These prizes are awarded annually for the best compositions on proposed topics in prose or verse in English, Greek, Irish and Latin. They are open to all students on the College books under M.A. standing, but a student cannot obtain a prize oftener than twice in succession, or more than three times in all. The examiners are the Professor of English Literature, the Regius Professor of Greek, the Professor of Irish and the Professor of Latin.
The topics for compositions are announced before 1 June. Compositions, with fictitious signatures and accompanied by sealed envelopes containing the names of the essayists and of their tutors, essays must reach the Head of Discipline of the School of English by 31 January 2025.
No prize is given of more than €80; prizes of less amount and more than one in each kind of composition, may be awarded on the recommendation of the examiners.

English prose: Ambiguity
English verse: Solemnity

WILLIAM AND MARY ATKINS MEMORIAL FUND

This fund was established in 1980 under the Board’s trusteeship by a bequest from Iris Olive Atkins. The income is used to support two needy students, one in modern languages and one in English. Applications should be made to the Secretary of the Financial Assistance Committee.