Academic wins Kildare archaeology award
Dr Melissa Sheils in Tudor character.
The County Kildare Archaeological Society (CKAS) has announced the winner of the 2025 Lord Walter Fitzgerald Prize for Research as Dr Melissa Sheils for her essay, 'The Fair Geraldine and Tudor Court. Proximity, Persuasion and Presents'.
The judging panel chaired by Professor Marian Lyons of Maynooth University was delighted to award the prize to a work that highlights the importance of soft power in historic courts and the important role women played in diplomatic relations between the Kildare Geraldine's and London.
The president of the County Kildare Archaeological Society, Michael Dempsey praised the article as " a worthy winner, amongst very strong competition, the CKAS is delighted to award the prize with Maynooth University".
Melissa Sheils is a PhD student in UCC. As well as conducting research, Ms Sheils is a specialist in historic clothing and its recreation, and is from Newcastlewest in Co Limerick.
The Lord Walter Fitzgerald Prize is awarded and funded by the County Kildare Archaeological Society, founded in 1891 and is open to all interested in our counties archaeology, history, geography and built heritage. Later this year there will be an event in Martinstown House, the Curragh, where Melissa will also be awarded her prize.
