New chapter begins for first Coogan Gallagher Scholarship winner JJ O'Donnell

The first Coogan Gallagher scholarship from Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada has begun his next chapter in life.

Arranmore native JJ O’Donnell received the official inaugural Coogan Gallagher Award at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada and then secured a place at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal, in Letterkenny.

“We are all so proud of JJ and his accomplishments and wish him the very best as he steps into his future,” Caroleann Gallagher, the Arranmore native based in Chicago who founded the scholarship, said. “Congratulations JJ, keep being the amazing ambassador you are for your school Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada and the community of Arranmore Island.”

The scholarship competition opened to all Leaving Certificate students enrolled at the Arranmore secondary school and it was judged solely by Caroleann and her Chicago law partner, Jim Coogan. The scholarship was not based on academic performance - it was judged through an anonymous application, reference request, and essay.

Caroleann was one of the first pupils to attend Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada in 1990. The award was created out of Caroleann's gratitude for all that the school brought to the island and also to help a student in their journey to further education. The scholarship will open every year and will award the winner €3,000  to assist them on their career path.

“I want to give something back and show my appreciation, and Arranmore’s as a whole, so with the help of my partner here in Chicago, Jim, and the principal at home, Mary Doherty, we set up the Coogan Gallagher Scholarship,” Caroleann said. “I just want to give the students a helping hand into their new world and I am so excited it has come to pass.” 

Caroleann studied law at the University of Galway and practised as a solicitor in Ireland. Following on, she moved to Chicago where she took the Illinois State Bar exam in 2011. She is a partner in a Chicago law firm, Coogan Gallagher PC alongside Jim Coogan.