Enda Kenny

Welcome Message from the Taoiseach

Warm congratulations and every good wish to the 125 young men and women who are receiving All Ireland Scholarship Awards 2011.

Each one of them is a worthy recipient. All can be proud, not only of their outstanding results but of the tenacity, sacrifice and effort it took to achieve them.

As a father, teacher, politician and now Taoiseach, I believe passionately that finance should not obstruct talent or inhibit parents’ hopes and dreams for their children. Therefore, I’m especially delighted that these awards remove a financial barrier to third-level education and further opportunity.

Education comes from the Latin educere ‘to lead through’. Just as these young people have been led to achievement, by parents, teachers, principals and their peers, I am confident that they, in turn, will lead, seeking to unlock potential, using their talent for the good of their communities and society itself. Above all, I urge them to be generous, making and being, that all-important difference in our world.

Generosity has long driven the work and vision of the scholarship Awards’ sponsor, JP McManus. I congratulate him for establishing these awards. They are an example of his using his own talent, hard work and good fortune for the benefit of people across Ireland.

These awards are a memorable milestone in the educational journey of each young recipient. My wish for each of them is that it will be the first of many, well-earned successes and an opportunity they will cherish during long, healthy and happy lives.

Beir bua agus beannacht

Enda Kenny T.D.

Taoiseach

Enda Kenny was the Guest Speaker at the 2011 Award Ceremony