Awards
Each year, the Department of Political Science recognises exceptional student achievement through a series of annual prizes. These awards are made possible through the generous support of donors and honour former staff and alumni who have made lasting contributions to the study of politics at Trinity College Dublin.
The Patrick Keatinge Undergraduate Prize
Founded in 2012 and first awarded in 2013, this prize was established with support from the Trinity Alumni Appeal in honour of Professor Patrick Keatinge MRIA, a distinguished member of the Department of Political Science from 1963 to 1999. It is awarded annually to the Senior Sophister student studying Political Science alone who achieves the best overall performance.
Value: €100 and a medal
The Eddie Hyland Prize
Founded in 2017 by donations from the Departments of History and Political Science, this prize honours Dr Eddie Hyland, who taught in the department from 1977 to 2015. It is awarded annually, from 2018 to 2027 inclusive, to the Senior Sophister History and Political Science student who achieves the best overall performance.
Value: €250
The Trinity Trust Prize
Established in 1980 through a contribution from Trinity Trust, this prize recognises excellence in Political Science and Sociology. It is awarded annually to the moderatorship student in BESS or PPES who achieves the best overall marks in single-honours Political Science, single-honours Sociology, or joint-honours Political Science and Sociology.
Value: €77
The James Killen Prize in Political Science and Geography
Founded jointly by the Departments of Geography and Political Science in 2014/15, this prize is awarded annually, from 2014/15 to 2020/21 inclusive, to the Junior Sophister Political Science and Geography student who performs at the highest level during the year, as determined by the Court of Examiners.
Value: €100
The Ronald J. Hill Prize in Political Science
Established in 2016 through donations from the Trinity Association and Trust, Professor Ronald J. Hill, and the Department of Political Science, this prize honours Professor Hill’s long service from 1969 to 2007. It is awarded annually, from 2016 to 2035 inclusive, to the elected Scholar who achieves the best overall result in the Political Science component of the Scholarship examination.
Value: €120
The Michael Gallagher Prize
Founded in 2022 in honour of Professor Michael Gallagher, a leading scholar in Irish politics and a member of the department from 1979 to 2021. It is awarded annually to the Junior Sophister student who achieves the highest average mark across both Michaelmas and Hilary Term modules in Irish politics.
Value: €200
The Harry Hartford Capstone Prize
Established in 2020 through a gift from Harry Hartford, a graduate of the Faculty of Economic and Social Studies (Economics), this prize recognises the four best capstone projects annually within Economics, Political Science, Sociology, and Philosophy. Special consideration is given to projects focused on public policy and evidence-based research.
Value: €1,000 each
The Michael Marsh Prize
Founded in 2021 in honour of Professor Michael Marsh, a long-standing member of the Department of Political Science (1973–2013) and former Vice-Provost and Faculty Dean. It is awarded annually to the Junior Sophister student who performs at the highest level in research methods modules.
Value: €200