The Cunningham College Awards recognise achievements in undergraduate mapping projects. They are awarded in memory of Mark Cunningham, former Assistant Director of Geological Survey Ireland.
Two equal prizes of €350 are awarded to the best undergraduate projects by students graduating from Irish universities each year.
The awards were presented at a ceremony at Geological Survey Ireland on Friday, 15 December 2023.
2023 Cunningham Award winners are:
Stephen Akien, University College Dublin (Supervisors: John Walsh & Julian Menuge):
The Bedrock Geology of the Strath Parish, Isle of Skye Scotland
Adam Mann, TCD (Supervisor: Chris Nicholas):
The Geology of North-West Megara Basin, Central Greece
The prize giving took place at our offices in Booterstown and prizes were presented by representative of the Cunningham family, Stephen Garvey (nephew of Mark Cunningham), and Geological Mapping Programme Senior Geologist Sophie O'Connor.
The event also saw the release of a new book publication "Wells and Wellbeing – The Hydrogeology of Irish Holy Wells", which you can read about HERE. Prizes for the Du Noyer competition 2023 were also awarded on the day, you can see the winners' beautiful submissions HERE.
Geological Survey Ireland Director, Koen Verbruggen closed the event by noting our varied activities across all programmes in 2023, including publications, surveys completed and TV programmes The Survey has been featured in this year.
 | 
|
Above: Stephen Aiken, UCD, receiving his award from Steven Garvey (nephew of Mark Cunningham), Director Koen Verbruggen and Senior Geologist Sophie O'Connor (Geological Survey Ireland).
| Above: Adam Mann, TCD, receiving his award from Steven Garvey (nephew of Mark Cunningham), Director Koen Verbruggen and Senior Geologist Sophie O'Connor (Geological Survey Ireland)
|
| 
|
Above: Stephen Akien & supervisor Julian Menuge (Both UCD) with Cunningham family representatives, Director Koen Verbruggen and Senior Geologist Sophie O'Connor.
| Above: Stephen Akien, his family & supervisor Christopher Nicholas (Both TCD) with Cunningham family representatives, Director Koen Verbruggen and Senior Geologist Sophie O'Connor.
|
| 
|
Above: Cunningham Award winners 2023 discussing their maps with attendees.
| Above: Attendees gathering for the event.
|
| 
|
Above: Author of "Wells and Wellbeing The Hydrogeology of Irish Holy Wells", Bruce Misstear.
| Above: The publishing team for "Wells and Wellbeing The Hydrogeology of Irish Holy Wells"
|