Somewhere back in the mists of time, not long after the Norman invasion itself, Mr. Peter Gallagher inaugurated a Castle-building Competition amongst the First Years at St. Conleth’s and over the subsequent centuries it has developed into one of the most prestigious competitive events at the school. The rules are simple: build a castle (by yourself, not with your parents or architect uncle!) and earn points for historical accuracy and creativity. We always enjoy the influx of inspired and even outlandish concoctions which for a few weeks take up every horizontal surface in the school. Apparently, not all Conlethians build their castles merely out of air!

This year, of the First year History teachers, Mr. Baneham was in first with his class’s castles and, having been raised in a fortified tower house somewhere well within the Pale, as well as working for a while as seneschal at Windsor, he certainly had the required experience to draw the best from the boys and girls. We have castles made of sand, Lego, wood, styrofoam, cardboard and some gooey stuff of which Mr. Callaghan took one sniff and retreated to the lab for his gas-mask! And who is the 2021 ‘King of the Castle’?  You will have to wait till we see the other classes’ entries and then the Awards Ceremony for the dramatic announcement.  Until then enjoy the pictures above of the 1C castle-builders and their creations!