Derry students honoured at All Ireland scholarships award ceremony

Three students from Derry have been awarded an All Ireland Scholarship which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.

The 2022 students; Aileen Barber – North West Regional College, Emma Devine – Thornhill College and Conor Doherty – Lumen Christi College, were honoured at the All Ireland Scholarships Award Ceremony 2023 on 16th September in University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.

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 T.D. and Deputy Secretary, Skills and Education Group, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland, Moira Doherty as well as the family, friends and principals of the scholarship recipients.

Commenting on the scheme, Scholarship Sponsor JP 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. Their drive and determination is admirable, and they should be very proud.”

Conor Doherty, student of Lumen Christi College

The All Ireland Scholarships were established in 2008 by JP 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 a further set of criteria, including attending a non-fee-paying school and be in receipt of a third level education maintenance grant from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) or be in receipt of an Education Maintenance Allowance in Northern Ireland. The scholarship offers full academic financial support for the duration of the students' third level studies.

North West Regional College student Aileen Barber and Violet Toland, Quality Enhancement Curriculum Lead for Higher Education at NWRC.

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.