Limerick student wins bursary for topping her undergraduate degree with highest marks

A LIMERICK student has been awarded a prestigious bursary for excelling in her undergraduate degree at university.

Katelyn Hayes, who hails from Carrigkerry in west Limerick, is currently a student of University of Galway, and has been awarded the Dr Colm Ó hEocha Memorial Bursary after achieving the highest overall marks in her undergraduate degree, BA (Gaeilge agus Matamaitic) awarded in 2022.

The bursary has a value of €3,000 and is awarded annually to the University of Galway graduate who has registered for a Taught Master's Programme in the University provided through Irish and who has, in her/his primary degree taken at University of Galway, obtained the highest overall percentage of those eligible.

At present, Katelyn is a student on the postgraduate programme, MA (Cleachtas Gairmiúil sna Meáin) at University of Galway, formerly NUIG, and is in RTÉ, Donnybrook, Dublin, at the moment, gaining experience in television production as part of her postgraduate degree.

The Limerick native received her post-primary education at Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West, and credits her Irish teacher, Margaret Moran with fostering her interest in Irish through emphasising the language's role in national identity.

The bursary itself was established in memory of Dr Colm Ó hEocha, President, University of Galway (then University College Galway) 1975–1995.