All-Island School History Competition 2025

Commemoration through Innovation: connecting past, present and future



The Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD has launched the All-Island School History Competition. This competition invites students to explore how important events, people and stories from the past are commemorated in the present. The aim of this competition is: to connect historical events to contemporary themes, highlight underrepresented histories and encourage participation from communities across the island of Ireland. These objectives are consistent with the objectives of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative.

The All-Island Schools’ History Competition is open to both primary and post-primary schools. It is organised by the Department of Education and Youth in partnership with Frances Moss, Director, Drumcondra Education Support Centre and Dr Caitríona Ní Cassaithe, Assistant Professor in History Education in the Institute of Education, Dublin City University. It is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, The Heritage Council and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta.

Competition Opening date:   2 October 2025

Closing date: 5 December 2025

Who can enter?
The competition is open to all students in primary and post-primary schools (including young people who attend other educational settings) in the 2025/2026 school year.
Entries are invited for the following year groups:



Themes for 2025 Competition


Further Information:
Further details of the format for submissions, terms and conditions and guidelines for the competition can be found here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/all-island-school-history-competition-2025/