Callan student hailed for her outstanding contribution

A Callan resident has been awarded the honourable Robert Frederick Holmes (1803) Award last week during the Carlow College, St Patrick’s Conferring Ceremony for 2022.

Kristina Doyle, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Social, Political and Community Studies, received the award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the student body.

The award is named in honour of College student Robert Frederick Holmes who gave his life while attempting to save the life of a fellow student in 1803. The award acknowledges the dedication Kristina had in promoting social justice issues within the College and wider community, including arranging the solidarity rally at Kilkenny Castle in support of Ukraine in February 2022.

Staff and students at Carlow College had a day of celebration for its Class of 2022 recently as 143 graduates – including 9 students from Kilkenny - were conferred in the College’s graduation, which took place in Carlow Cathedral.

Prior to the ceremony, graduates received a personal video message from then-Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris congratulating them on their success and wishing them all the best in their future endeavours.

Dr Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Galway delivered the keynote address at the graduation and asked graduates to ‘reflect and consider what you can offer to make the world a better place’.

“While dreams are essential, our dreams and imagination will only get us so far. Above all it is in the doing that realities change and you can truly make a difference. The evidence of that in all that you have done to get here today,” she said.

Dr Thomas McGrath, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar of Carlow College congratulated graduates commenting on their ‘remarkable resilience and grit they showed during the Coronavirus Pandemic when their classes were held online’.

“They are a credit to the College and I have no doubt they will go on to prosper in your chosen career paths,” he s aid.

Carlow College President, Fr Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh warmly congratulated the graduates who come from 16 different counties across Ireland, including as far as Donegal.

“As college president, it is my pleasure and privilege to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of all of our graduates,” said Fr Ó Maoldhomhnaigh.

“They have been part of our journey over the past three to four years and we wish them the very best as they continue on their own individual paths.”