5th class student Patrick O’Flaherty was awarded second place in the Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society's History Project Competition. Patrick received a certificate and prize money from Cumann Staire agus Seandálaíocht Cheatharlach in recognition of his excellent work. Patrick’s parents and Miss Bermingham accompanied him while receiving his award.

All of the 5th class students received certificates of participation, as Ms. Doyle entered their projects into the competition. Their enthusiasm, hard work, and commitment to researching local history were evident throughout the project. We are extremely proud of all the students for their efforts and achievements, and we extend a special congratulations to Patrick on his outstanding second-place success. Maith sibh ar fad!

Below is written by 5^th class student Patrick O’ Flaherty;

“On Thursday the 15th of May, I went to Carlow Archaeological and Historical Museum to collect my prize for 2nd place in the CHAS school’s history project. I did my project on a man by the name of Tom Kehoe. His father Simon Kehoe married Julia McDonald was a widow [her past husband had died]. Tom Kehoe was born on the 19th of November 1899 in Knockananna. At the age of 17, he left Knockananna to join the Great Northern Railway, where he learned technology which was very useful in making firearms. His half-brother convinced him to join the Dublin brigade where he was stationed at Jacob's factory. Afterwards, Tom Kehoe opened a bike shop but in the back of the shop he was making firearms [guns] explosives and ammunition. Michael Collins heard of Tom Kehoe’s bike shop and later on when he was looking for recruits for his squad. He asked Tom Kehoe would he join and he accepted and the squad was called, ‘The Twelve Apostles’. Tom Kehoe died a couple months after Michael Collins. He died from an explosive aftermath. He had survived the explosion but later died from his injuries. Michael Collin's sister had cut a lock of his hair and sent it home to his family. To conclude, Tom Kehoe was a tactical genius with explosives. He was a ruthless man and died a rebel hero. 

On the night of the award giving, I picked up everyone's certificates and my original project. All of my information is sourced from local knowledge, a book I found, and the census records.”