Congratulations: Mayo student wins prestigious award in All-Ireland competition

COMMUNITY NOTES: CHARLESTOWN - WESTERN PEOPLE (FEBRUARY 24 EDITION)

Congratulations are extended to Leah Honan, who won the senior category award in the All-Ireland School’s History Competition for 2025. Leah, a Leaving Certificate student from St Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown, attended the awards ceremony at the Department of Education where her project was appraised by Dr. Caitriona Ní Cassaithe, Assistant Professor in History Education in the Institute of Education, Dublin City University.

The project titled “Exploring the Shared Legacy of the Tuam Civil War Executions in 1923”, delves into the circumstances surrounding the execution of her great uncle Sean Newell at Tuam Military Barracks on April 11th, 1923. He was one of six young men executed by the National Army forces in the latter stages of the Irish Civil War.

The project sheds light on the overlooked connection between events in Tuam and imprisoned female members of the Cumann na mBan from Killala, Co. Mayo who were forced to witness the executions. She explores the shared legacy of Civil War wounds descendants of these women.

Leah attended the ceremony with her mum Fiona Honan and History teacher Ann Leydon. She was interviewed by Bryan Donson, a member of the Government Commemoration and the Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton congratulated Leah and the other winners.