RSD and St. Pat’s speakers with Dr. Eamon Phoenix (Stranmillis College), Prof. Keith Jeffery (QUB) and Mr Mark Baker (SEP Coordinator QUB).

On the 29th March the second annual A-Level History Project between the Royal School Dungannon and St. Patrick’s Academy culminated in an evening of lectures at the Royal School. This project is part of the ongoing Sharing Education Project and is one of several sustained curricula activities funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and the International Fund for Ireland, and managed by Queen’s University.

Year 14 history students from both schools presented an informative lecture on the topic “The Formation of the Northern Ireland State 1920-25”, based on collaborative work undertaken since January. They were joined by two eminent historians, Dr Eamon Phoenix from Stranmillis College and Professor Keith Jeffery from Queen’s university, who spoke on the “The Ulster Crisis, 1912-14” and “The Impact of World War I on Ireland” respectively. The evening was a great success, supported by parents, staff and others interested in this tumultuous period of Irish History.

To conclude this year’s project the pupils enjoyed an excellent day in Dublin on 31st March, visiting the National Museum and Kilmainham Gaol as well as having a guided tour of the sites associated with the 1916 Easter Rising. Both schools look forward to continuing this highly successful endeavour next year.