First Year Students Unveil Historical Stories Collection

Celebrating a New Historical Story Collection by First Year students in Thomond Community College

A group of students in a classroom, holding up various books and activity sheets. The students are dressed in school uniforms, with some wearing skirts and sweaters. A teacher or adult is kneeling in front of the group, also holding a book. The classroom has colorful educational posters on the walls. — Student authors with JCSP Librarian Jane Bingham-Shee

There’s something powerful about seeing history through young eyes. This week, the JCSP Library in Thomond Community College, Limerick proudly launched a remarkable new book — a collection of historical stories written entirely by First Year students in our school.

Cover of a collection titled 'Historical Fiction', featuring two hands holding a quill and ink, with a castle symbol and text indicating it contains 20 short stories by first-year students from Thomond Community College in the JCSP Library.

Over the past several months, First Year students immersed themselves in different eras, from ancient civilizations to pivotal moments in modern history. Inspired by the history books in the library, the students worked hard under the guidance of their English teachers and school librarian to plan, write and edit their stories. Rather than simply retelling facts, the students reimagined the past through vivid characters, personal diaries and dramatic battles. The 20 stories that are included in the book bring history to life in fresh and often surprising ways.

Each story is beautifully illustrated by Limerick author and illustrator Hugh McMahon. The stories were edited and compiled by school librarian, Jane Bingham-Shee and the project was funded by the JCSP Library Project.

A classroom setting with students seated and facing a presenter, who is standing beside a display board filled with black-and-white illustrations. Educational posters adorn the walls, and the environment is colorful and engaging. — Author and Illustrator Hugh McMahon at the launch

A man and a woman stand together in a library setting, smiling. The woman holds a book titled 'Historical Fiction'. Shelves of books and colorful educational posters are visible in the background. — Author and Illustrator Hugh McMahon at the launch

The launch event was a celebration of creativity and dedication. Families, teachers, and fellow students gathered to hear inputs from a range of speakers – including from some of the young authors themselves. It was clear that this project was about more than writing. It was about empathy, research, collaboration, and finding one’s voice. Senior JCSP librarian Kathleen Moran attended and congratulated the students on becoming published authors. She also announced that an eBook version of the title will be made available through Sora (the JCSP Library Project Digital Library service), giving access to the book to schools right across Ireland.

Projects like this remind us that history is not just a collection of dates and events — it is a tapestry of human experiences. By stepping into the shoes of people from the past, students developed a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it.

This book is more than a compilation of stories; it is a testament to the imagination, hard work, and insight of young writers. We are very proud of what they have accomplished.