Louth students honoured at all Ireland scholarships award ceremony

Three Louth students have been awarded an all Ireland scholarship which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.   

Rebecca O’Brien, Blessed Rita Fonkoh and Emily Halpenny were honoured at the all Ireland scholarships awards ceremony on 30 March in University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.    

In attendance at the ceremony was scholarship sponsor JP McManus; Guest of Honour and CEO of Northwell Health, Michael J. Dowling; Minister for Further and Higher Education Niall Collins TD; and Director of Skills, Strategy & Policy, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland, Graeme Wilkinson; as well as the family, friends and school representatives of the scholarship recipients.   

Commenting at the awards ceremony, scholarship sponsor JP McManus said: “I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of these 125 students.

"To date, 1,799 students have received an All Ireland Scholarship and 1,348 of those students have since graduated from university. Today is a very special occasion for the students, their families and principals. They should all be very proud of themselves, and we are looking forward to seeing what they do in years to come.” 

^{Above: Sponsor JP McManus; Minister Niall Collins; Blessed Rita Fonkoh; and Nóilín Ní Dhulaing, Principal of Coláiste Rís in Dundalk}

The All Ireland Scholarships were established in 2008 by JP McManus and this year marks its 16th 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.

^{Above: Sponsor JP McManus; Minister Niall Collins; Emily Halpenny; and Úna Kirk, Principal of Scoil Uí Mhuirí in Dunleer}

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.