By Michelle Crean

Researching their local area helped Kilcummin pupils win first place in a history competition.

Fourth and Fifth Class pupils from Kilcummin National School included lots of original research for their Explore Your Local Heritage Competition organised by Kerry Archeological and Historical Society and partners.

This is the second year that the competition has been running and Mr Mannix's class went one better than last year's second place finish in the competition winning first prize this year.

The class were recently presented with their prize by President of the Kerry Archeological and Historical Society, Jimmy Dennihan, Victoria McCarthy, Kerry County Council and Claudia Kohler, Kerry County Museum at the Kerry County Museum in Tralee.

"The title of their winning project was 'The Development of Education in Kilcummin' and included lots of original research by the children into the history of education in the parish of Kilcummin including interviews with current and former staff of the school and members of the wider community," Principal Gillian Sheehan told the Killarney Advertiser.

"The children are thrilled with their win and we are all very proud of them, especially their class teacher Mr Mannix and SNAs Rena and Irene, who invested so much time into the project. The class visited Kerry County Museum for the presentation of the award and they enjoyed a tour of the museum."