125 All Ireland Scholarships awarded North and South
Winners of the 2013 All Ireland Scholarships were officially recognised by the CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary & Minister for Finance Michael Noonan TD, at an awards ceremony on, Saturday 9th November, 2013 at the University of Limerick. Michael Noonan T.D and the Minister for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland, Dr Stephen Farry presented 125 highly talented students from the North and South with a third level scholarship certificate.
Sponsored by JP McManus, the educational scheme is set to provide financial assistance to many high achieving students who completed their Leaving Certificate/A Level examinations in 2013.
Congratulating this year’s recipients, Michael O’Leary said, “It is a great honour for me to celebrate with the students their incredible achievement by becoming an All Ireland Scholarship recipient. Your hard work and dedication has paid off in huge measures and you are now part of a privileged group of young men and women who have been honoured and rewarded today. I wish you all every success in the future.”
JP McManus, presented Niall McCoy from Armagh with a surprise commemorative gift to recognise the fact that he is the 850th winner of a JP McManus 3rd level scholarship. Combining the two educational scholarships, CBS Sexton Street, Limerick and the All Ireland Scholarships, there are now a total of 882 scholars throughout the 32 counties.
Commenting about the awards JP McManus said; “Irish people have long recognised that education is central to the development of a successful career. Since the foundation of the State, we have worked hard to create an educational system that is internationally recognised as sophisticated and fit for purpose.
Our objective in establishing the All Ireland Scholarships is to give the opportunity of third level education to a number of young people throughout the island of Ireland who might otherwise not have this choice. It therefore gives us enormous pleasure to witness the bringing together of 125 winners from the 32 counties, north and south.”
The scholarships have been set at €6,750 per annum in Ireland and stg£5,500 in Northern Ireland and will continue for the duration of the undergraduate programmes chosen by the scholarship winners.
JP McManus has contributed a total of €32 million in support of third level education initiatives in recognition of the 32 counties of Ireland. The All Ireland Scholarship Trust has received €30 million to fund the provision of these bursaries each year and it is estimated that over 1,300 students from the 32 counties will benefit from the scheme over its duration. The remaining €2 million has been contributed to the Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarships at NUI Maynooth. The scheme is administered by the Department of Education & Skills, the Department for Employment & Learning with support from the Department of Education, Northern Ireland.
Press Release: Saturday 9th November