Offaly students receive prestigious scholarships at All Ireland Awards ceremony

TWO students from Offaly have been awarded prestigious All Ireland Scholarships which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.

The 2022 Leaving Certificate students; Niall Mahon, Colaiste Naomh Cormac, and Patrick Raine, Colaiste Choilm, were honoured at the All Ireland Scholarships Award Ceremony 2023 in University Concert Hall, University of Limerick, recently.

In attendance at the ceremony was Guest of Honour and Limerick Senior Hurling Team Manager John Kiely, Minister for Further and Higher Education Niall Collins TD and Deputy Secretary, Skills and Education Group, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland, Moira Doherty as well as the family, friends and school principals of the scholarship recipients.

Commenting on the scheme, Scholarship Sponsor J.P. McManus said: “1,348 successful graduates have emerged with primary degrees and are now either embarking on further studies or, in the case of the majority, pursuing successful careers. This figure demonstrates that the key objective – to provide financial support to many gifted young students so they may succeed during their third-level education – has worked.

Niall Mahon from Colaiste Naomh Cormac being presented with his award by J.P. McManus.

Patrick Raine, Colaiste Choilm Tullamore, receiving his award from J.P. McManus.

“Their drive and determination is admirable, and they should be very proud.”

The All Ireland Scholarships were established in 2008 by J.P. McManus and this year marks its 15th anniversary. The third level educational scholarship is awarded to 125 of the highest achieving students per year, with a minimum of two students from each of the 32 counties.

The recipients must meet certain criteria. They must be attending a non-fee-paying school, and be in receipt of a third level education maintenance grant from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) or of an Education Maintenance Allowance in Northern Ireland. The scholarship offers full academic financial support for the duration of the students' third level studies.

To date, 1,674 scholarships have been awarded across the island of Ireland, of which 1,348 winners have already graduated from university and have embarked on successful careers.

The most popular courses chosen by the 2022 cohort of scholarship recipients include science, engineering, pharmacy, finance and medicine.