Schools Heritage Project 2022 - Flights of Fancy for Primary and Post-Primary Schools
Dear Principal
We are delighted to launch a new history/heritage competition open to all the schools in our catchment area, at both primary and post-primary level.
The Col. Fitzmaurice Commemoration Committee, in partnership with Laois Education Centre and Laois Heritage Society and with the co-operation of Offaly Historical Society and the Irish Air Corp, would like to invite schools to help us record and celebrate our aviation heritage.
Schools are invited to submit individual or class projects on Aviation in Ireland. The competition aims to celebrate our rich history of flight and, in particular, it is inspired by the famous flight in 1928 of Col. James Fitzmaurice, an Irish aviation pioneer who was raised and educated in Portlaoise. On this flight, Col. Fitzmaurice and two Germans crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the first successful trans-Atlantic flight from East to West.
Projects may represent the theme of aviation in any medium(s) and format(s) but pupils must be able to give a five minute presentation outlining what they have researched/learnt about their chosen area in the history of aviation.
Categories & Prizes – Awards at both Primary & Post-Primary Levels
Best Group Project €150
Best individual project €50
Highly Commended project €50
(Max. 3 projects per school). All participating schools will receive a framed certificate.
Winning schools in Best Group Project & Best Individual Project will be invited to send a class group to visit Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell. This generous invitation is courtesy of the Irish Air Corps.
For further details and to register for the project please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 057 8672402. The closing date for all entries is Tuesday 22nd November 2022.
Projects will be presented and judged on Wednesday 30th November at 3.30 pm in Laois Education Centre.
Yours sincerely,
Teddy Fennelly Catherine Doolan
President Laois Heritage Society Director Laois Education Centre