Awards

Gold Medals

Gold Medals will be awarded to students who attain an overall average mark of 75% where the JS year result (weighted at 30%), along with the SS year result (weighted at 70%), will be considered together to provide the overall average mark of 75%.

Gold Medals are awarded on the basis of a single annual attempt (to include Semesters 1 & 2 assessments). A deferral counts towards the single annual attempt. Gold Medals are not awarded to students who have to reassess in the Autumn.

Whately Memorial Fund

A moderatorship prize of €64 is awarded each year from the Whately Memorial Fund to the first moderator in Economics (Single Honours or major), provided that a first-class moderatorship is obtained. It was established in 1871 by subscription in memory of Richard Whately, Archbishop of Dublin, to promote the study of political economy.

Bastable Prize

This prize of €127 was founded in 1933 by subscription in memory of Charles Francis Bastable, Professor of Political Economy 1908-32 and Regius Professor of Laws 1882- 1932. It is awarded to the candidate placed first at the moderatorship examination in economics (joint, major or single honours), provided sufficient merit is shown.

Sinead Darcy Prize

This prize was founded in 2011 in memory of Sinead Darcy, a Trinity economics student who graduated in 1994 and who had a distinguished career in regulatory economics. It is awarded annually to the continuing student who performs at the highest level in the two Junior Sophister modules in Industrial Economics: Competition, Strategy and Policy. Value €150.

P.J. Drudy Prize in Economics

The Drudy prize in economics was founded in 2008 by Professor P.J. Drudy to encourage the study of social and economic development in less developed countries. It is awarded annually on the recommendation of the Department of Economics to the continuing student who receives the highest average mark across both Michaelmas and Hilary term in the Junior Sophister modules in the economics of less developed countries. Value, €100.

Terence Gorman Prize

This prize was founded in 2006 by a bequest from Mrs Dorinda Gorman in memory of her husband, the distinguished economist W.M. (Terence) Gorman, a Trinity economics graduate of 1948. It is awarded annually, on the recommendation of the Department of Economics, to the continuing student who receives the highest average mark across both Michaelmas and Hilary term in the Junior Sophister econometrics modules. Value, €1,000.

Harry Hartford Prize

This prize was founded in 2020 by a gift from Harry Hartford, a graduate of the Faculty of Economic and Social Studies (Economics). The prize will be awarded annually to the best Capstone Project within each of the disciplines of economics, political science, sociology and philosophy. Special consideration will be given to projects in the field of public policy, emphasizing evidence-based research in the public domain. Value, €1,000 each.

The John O’Hagan Prize in Economics

This prize was founded in 2021 and is funded by a group of economics alumni through the decades. The prize will be awarded to the continuing student who receives the highest average mark across both Michaelmas and Hilary term in the Senior Fresh modules of economy of Ireland. The candidate is nominated by the Head of Discipline of Economics and is confirmed at the relevant court of examiners annually. The award was established as a tribute to John’s outstanding contribution to the teaching of economics and his dedication to students in the discipline over many years. Value, €500.

Dermot McAleese Prize

This prize was founded in 2025 in honour of Professor Dermot McAleese, Whately Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin (1979 to 2004). The prize recognises Dermot’s exceptional contribution to the teaching of economics and his long-standing commitment to encouraging all students in the field of macroeconomics. The prize will be awarded to the two continuing students who receive the highest overall marks in the Senior Freshman macroeconomics module associated with Intermediate Economics. The candidates are nominated by the Head of Discipline of Economics and are confirmed at the relevant court of examiners annually.

If for any reason the intended purpose(s) set out above are no longer viable, then, in consultation with the Donor where possible, the University shall apply the gift in a manner which will adhere as closely as possible to the original intent. Value: €200 per recipient.