Success for Donegal ETB's Dr Niall Muldoon and Errigal College at national event

Learners - past and present - from Donegal ETB were recognised for their excellence at a special event in Thomond Park in Limerick run by Education and Training Boards Ireland, as part of its national ETB Week celebrations.

Hosted by RTÉ newsreader and former ETB student, Ray Kennedy, a variety of awards were presented on the day. These included the ETB Alumni Awards, which were presented to 17 former ETB learners who have achieved excellence in their chosen field or made an outstanding contribution to their local community.

Also awarded on the day were four ETB Bursaries. These were presented to exceptional current ETB learners to support their future study, entrepreneurship or community activism in the areas of Technology & AI, Green Innovation, Media & Communications and the Irish Language. Each bursary was valued at €5,000 and included professional support. Runners up were awarded €500.

Pictured at the flagship ETB Week event held in Thomond Park  to celebrate learners from Ireland’s sixteen Education and Training Boards were (L-R): Paddy Lavelle, General Secretary of ETBI presenting the runner up prize in the national carpool karaoke competition to Kelly White and Paddy Molly from Errigal College, Donegal ETB and RTÉ Newsreader Ray Kennedy

Among the successes, from Donegal ETB were Dr Niall Muldoon, former student of the Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town and Ombudsman for Children, was presented with an alumni award; ETB staff members from Errigal College, Donegal ETB, were runners up in the national Carpool Karaoke competition.

Other notable Alumni nominees were Olympian Sarah Lavin, former education editor of the Irish Independent Katherine Donnelly and campaigner Vicky Phelan, whose family received a standing ovation from the 200+ attendees.

Entertainment was provided by a rock group comprising ETB learners and staff who inspired a national carpool karaoke competition, and Limerick-based rappers MuRli and God Knows Jonas.

Congratulating the winners of the awards, Paddy Lavelle, Chief Executive of ETBI said: “Excellence in education and training across all sixteen ETBs in the country – through their current and past students is really on display today, and I congratulate all our winners on their achievements. Their stories show us the power of education, and how it can have a pivotal impact on your life’s path.

“I would like to commend our ETBs – they continue to go above and beyond to create diverse, accessible and effective learning opportunities in all corners of the country – impacting communities and ensuring people nationwide have access to education – regardless of what stage of life they are at.”