The Downey Prize

The Downey Prize is an annual book prize established from a fund raised by colleagues and friends of the late Mr. Joseph Downey, who served as Secretary and Bursar of University College Cork from 1912 to 1944. The prize is awarded based on the results of the Summer BComm (Hons) Degree Examination to recognize outstanding academic achievement in commerce studies. The prize, currently valued at approximately €750, is awarded provided that the Academic Council considers a sufficiently high standard has been attained, the successful candidate has been a student at University College Cork for the four years immediately preceding the examination, and the candidate had not passed the First University Examination in Commerce more than three years before taking the BComm (Hons) Degree Examination. This award is funded from endowments made by the donors to the University, with the funds invested and annual income determining the available amount, which may vary from year to year based on investment market fluctuations.