Trophies & Cups

Note that nominations and entries for the awards for Service to the Society or to Amateur Radio and the awards for Other Achievements must be made well in advance of the AGM each year; the latest date for nominations and entries is the date of the February committee meeting, which is announced on the home page.

Please send nominations, entries and enquiries or issues/corrections for this page to the Awards Manager.

Awards to IRTS members for Contest Results

For Contest Awards, the station must have been operated from EI or GI

IRTS DX Trophy

This is the oldest of the IRTS awards.  The cup was purchased by special subscription of the members shortly after the foundation of the Society in 1932.  Originally awarded to the leading EI station in the single operator, all band section of the ARRL DX CW contest, it is now awarded to the leading EI single operator in the annual IOTA contest.

Hal Hodgens Trophy

The trophy is in memory of Hal Hodgens EI5F who taught in the then Kevin Street Radiotelegraph School.  He was very actively involved in the establishment of experimental radio in EI and was a founder member of the IRTS.  He was President of the Society in 1938.  The trophy was constructed by Jim Bartlett EI2BB and Roy Cookman EI7H and in particular commemorates Hal’s proficiency as a CW operator by incorporating his morse key.  (Incidentally, Roy EI7H’s grandmother was a Jameson and was married to Marconi.)  Originally awarded to the leading EI station in the single operator QRP section of the ARRL DX CW contest, the Trophy is now awarded to the highest scoring EI station in the 12 hour CW section of the IOTA contest.

IRTS IOTA Trophy

Paul O’Kane EI5DI presented this trophy to the Society.  Paul was President of the Society from 1997 to 2000 and is a keen contest operator.  It is awarded to the leading island (EJ) DX-pedition station in the annual IOTA contest.

Pete Daly Memorial Cup

This cup is in memory of the late Pete Daly EI5G, who like Hal Hodgens was very involved in the establishment and development of experimental radio in EI.  Pete was one of the early Editors of a printed Newsheet.  The late Bill McIlwaine EI9F, who was secretary of the Society for many years and was its President in 1966 and 1967, presented the cup to the Society.  The cup was originally awarded to the winning station in the open section of the IRTS CW Field Day, it is now awarded to the highest scoring station in the IRTS CW Field Day, an event in which Pete Daly was an active participant over many years.

Paddy Smyth Memorial Cup

Presented to the Society by the family of the late Paddy Smyth EI9J to honour his memory.  Paddy was a prolific CW operator and was one of the world-renowned topbanders having worked over one hundred countries on that band.  Previously awarded to the leading station in the 24 hour restricted section of the IRTS CW Field Day, it is now awarded to the highest scoring Single Operator EI station in the UKEICC DX CW contest.

Paddy Daly Microphone

Paddy Daly EI6CP constructed this trophy.  Paddy is noted for his skills in home construction and in particular for his attention to detail and high quality work in the restoration of classic receivers and transceivers.  Paddy acted as QSL Manager of the Society for many years.  Originally awarded to the winning station in the open section of the IRTS SSB Field Day, it is now awarded to the highest scoring station in the IRTS SSB Field Day.

IRTS HF Shield

Originally awarded to the leading station in the 24 hour restricted section of the IRTS SSB Field Day, it is now awarded to the highest scoring Single Operator EI station in the UKEICC DX SSB contest.

Tom Donnellan Cup

The Limerick Radio Club presented this cup to the Society in memory of the late Tom Donnellan EI9BG.  As Tom was a keen CW operator the cup is awarded to the leading EI station in the CW single operator section of the CQWW DX contest.

Lough Allen Shield

The Shannon Basin Club presented this shield to the Society.  Previously awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB Fixed section of the Winter 80m Counties Contest, it is now awarded leading entrant in the SSB Only – High Power section of the Winter 80m Counties Contest.

Lough Ree Shield

The Shannon Basin Club presented this shield to the Society.  Previously awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB Portable section of the Winter 80m Counties Contest, it is now awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB Only – Low Power section of the Winter 80m Counties Contest.

Lough Derg Shield

The Shannon Basin Club presented this shield to the Society.  Previously awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB/CW Fixed section of the Winter 80m Counties Contest, it is now awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB/CW – High Power section of the Winter 80m Counties Contest.

Lough Boderg Shield

The Shannon Basin Club presented this shield to the Society.  Previously awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB/CW Portable section of the Winter 80m Counties Contest, it is now awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB/CW – Low Power section of the Winter 80m Counties Contest.

Lough Boffin Shield

The Shannon Basin Club presented this shield to the Society.  It is awarded to the leading SWL in the Winter 80m Counties Contest.

EI5AJ Memorial Cup

The cup was sponsored by Limerick Radio Club and presented to the Society by the family of the late Eamon Cassidy EI5AJ.  Originally awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB/CW Fixed section of the Summer 80m Counties Contest, and then awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB/CW Fixed section of the October 40m Counties Contest, it is now awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB/CW – Low Power section of the October 40m Counties Contest.

Roseville Cup

The cup was presented by Avondhu Radio Club.  Previously awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB/CW Fixed section of the May 40m Counties Contest, it is now awarded to the leading entrant in the SSB/CW – Low Power section of the May 40m Counties Contest.

Thomond Trophy

Donated by the Limerick Radio Club to promote activity on the VHF/UHF bands.  It is awarded to the winning station in the open section of the IRTS VHF/UHF Field Day.

SDR Trophy

This is awarded to the leading station in the 6 metre (50 MHz) / restricted section of the IRTS VHF/UHF Field Day.  The trophy was presented to the society by South Dublin Radio Club.

Oriel Trophy

This is awarded to the leading station in the 4 metre (70 MHz) / restricted section of the IRTS VHF/UHF Field Day.  The trophy, which was fabricated in the Louth Men's Shed in Seatown Dundalk, was presented to the society by Peter Grant EI4HX.

Shandon Trophy

Formerly the "IRTS VHF Shield", the new Shandon Trophy was presented to the Society by the Cork Radio Club in 2006.  It is awarded to the leading station in the 2 metre (144 MHz) / restricted section of the IRTS VHF/UHF Field Day.

Slievenamon Shield

The Tipperary Amateur Radio Group presented this shield to the Society to encourage the use of the 70cm band.  It was originally awarded to the leading EI station operating FM on the 70cm band during the month of July; it is now awarded to the leading station in the 70cm (432 MHz) / restricted section of VHF/UHF Field Day.

Dermot Cowley EI2AK Memorial Cup

The Dundalk Amateur Radio Society presented this perpetual cup to the Society in memory of the late Dermot Cowley EI2AK.  Dermot was an innovative constructor and experimenter in the VHF and later the Millimeter bands. He has done much to progress the use of microwaves by amateurs in Ireland and encouraged all newcomers to this cutting edge of the hobby by his tireless help and example. The cup is awarded to the leading station in the 23cm (1296 MHZ) / restricted section of the IRTS VHF/UHF Field Day.

Awards for Service to the Society or to Amateur Radio

Awards in this section may be made to members or non-members

Arup Cup

The Arup family in memory of their son EI3M who died at an early age donated this cup to the Society.  The cup is beautifully crafted in Danish silver and is awarded for exceptional service to the Society or to Amateur Radio by an amateur licensed for a period of five years or less.

Michael Collins Memorial Trophy

The late Harry Wilson EI2W donated this cup to the Society in memory of the late Michael Collins EI3N.  The cup is awarded for exceptional service to the Society or to Amateur Radio, especially in the area of training, development and/or instruction by either an individual or affiliated club.  Michael, who worked in the then Department of Posts and Telegraphs, was tragically electrocuted in his shack at his home at Ashdale Road, Terenure in Dublin in June 1952.  Harry EI2W who donated the trophy was president of the Society from 1961 to 1963.  He was a well-known VHF operator holding many records and he held the first 50MHz licence in Europe.  He travelled in the course of his business and, in association with this, represented EI many times at IARU Region 1 Conferences when the Society was not financially in a position to send a representative.

Pat Conway Perpetual Memorial Trophy

Kathleen Conway donated this magnificent cup to the Society in memory of her late husband Pat Conway EI3Z.  Pat, who was born in Wicklow, moved to Athlone in the early fifties as an engineer at the Athlone (Moydrum) Radio Eireann (now RTE) transmitter.  Pat read the Society’s Radio News on AM from his shack in Athlone for many years.  The cup is awarded for exceptional service to the Society or to Amateur Radio by an individual or affiliated club.  As a matter of interest, Shannon Basin Radio Club has secured permission to use the callsign EI3Z as their club call.

Sheila Piper Cup

The cup was presented to the Society by Jim Piper in memory of his late wife Sheila.  The cup is presented for service by an individual to the various IRTS news media, i.e. Radio News, Echo Ireland, EiNews, web site, social media.

EI3AV Perpetual Cup

The cup was sponsored by Limerick Radio Club and presentated to the Society by the family of the late Pat Maher EI3AV.  The cup is awarded for service as the leading IRTS Affiliated Club.

John Ash Chapman Shield

This Shield was sponsored by North Cork Radio Group in memory of their member and good friend John Ash Chapman, EI5JN.  John was an enthusiastic promoter of Amateur Radio to the public in a fun and friendly manner and he believed that these qualities should be to the forefront of the modern amateur spirit.  In particular he was very supportive of activations at heritage locations such as castles, lighthouses, Geoparks, islands and places of historical distinction.  The Shield is awarded to an individual, group or club that undertakes significant promotion of Amateur Radio to the public.

The President’s Cup

This cup is presented at the discretion of the President of the Society.

Awards to IRTS members for Other Achievements

Folan Shield

Professor Enda Folan EI6W, who was President of the Society from 1958 to 1960, presented this shield to the Society.  It is awarded for home constructed equipment built to the highest standard.

Kevin Freeney Shield

The Fingal and North Dublin Radio Clubs donated this shield to the Society in memory of the late Kevin Freeney EI9BMB.  The shield is awarded for significant experimental work / innovation in any field of amateur radio.

Ian Morris Memorial Trophy

The South Dublin Radio Club, in honour of the late Ian Morris EI6U, donated the trophy to the Society.  Ian was a member of the committee of the Society for many years and was a very proficient CW, Field Day and contest operator.  The trophy is awarded to the shortwave listener with the highest number of DXCC entities heard in the previous calendar year.  While confirmation of entities heard is not required, entrants will be expected to produce a number of QSL cards (not necessarily from the year in question) to demonstrate their commitment to Shortwave Listening.

EI7IQ National 6 Metre Shield

John Corless EI7IQ donated this shield to the Society and it is awarded to the leading EI/EJ IRTS member for 6 metre activity in the previous calendar year.  (see scoring rules below)

EI7IQ National 4 Metre Shield

John Corless EI7IQ donated this shield to the Society and it is awarded to the leading EI/EJ IRTS member for 4 metre activity in the previous calendar year.  (see scoring rules below)

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all who contributed to the production of this page, and in particular to the late Seán EI7CD, who collated much of the background information on the history of the cups, and to Dave EI4BZ and others who collated the historical data on cup winners.  Also, thanks to Larry EI9CN who looks after maintaining and engraving the cups and ensuring that they turn up each year at the AGM.

Updated 09/11/2022