Last week fifth year students of the Ursuline Convent undertook their prize in the Discover Cork School’s Heritage Project. They were given a tour of Sean Kelly’s Lucky Meadows Equestrian Centre in Watergrasshill. Established in 2003, the School’s Heritage Project is co-ordinated by local historian Cllr. Kieran McCarthy.

The project has been recently launched again for the new school year. It is a youth forum for students to do research and offer their opinions on important decisions being made on their heritage in their locality and how they affect the lives of people locally. Cllr. McCarthy notes that “the aim of this project is to allow students to explore, investigate and debate their local heritage in a constructive and active way. It is important that we think about, understand, appreciate and make relevant in today’s society the role of our heritage- our landmarks, our oral histories, our scenery in our modern world for upcoming citizens”.

            Students can pick any topic to research and can participate as individuals, groups.  Students produce a project using primary material such as fieldwork, interviews, making models, DVDs of their area. Over the past number of years, students in both secondary schools in the Blackrock and Mahon area, the Ursuline Convent and Nagle Community College have entered and produced winning work on aspects of south east Cork City from sport to personalities. Cllr. McCarthy also noted:“The School’s Heritage Project also focuses on motivating and inspiring young people, giving them an opportunity to develop leadership and self development skills, which are very important in the world we live in today”. 

Students, parents and teachers interested in entering this year’s project should contact Kieran at 087 655 3389 or view details at www.corkheritage.ie. The City edition of the Project is funded by Cork Civic Trust, Cork City Council, the Heritage Council, Lifetime Lab, Sean Kelly of Lucky Meadows Equestrian Centre with media support from the Evening Echo.