The County Kildare Archaeological Society are delighted to announce the winner of the 2025 Lord Walter Fitzgerald Prize for Research to Melissa Sheils. Her essay, ‘The Fair Geraldine and Tudor Court. Proximity, Persuasion and Presents’, is a worthy winner of this prestigious award. The judging panel chaired by Professor Marian Lyons of Maynooth University are 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 and as well as conducting excellent research is a specialist in historic clothing and its recreation.
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. There is a programme of yearly events for members to attend and a Journal is also published, the latest edition will be launched later this year at a supper in Martinstown House, the Curragh, where Melissa will also be awarded her prize.