Published: Wednesday, 3rd December, 2008 10:27am

Westmeath making its mark at UCD

Five Westmeath students were among the 224 scholarship recipients for 2008 announced by Dr Philip Nolan, Deputy President of University College Dublin.

Entrance scholarships are awarded to the highest point students in each degree programme across the university. The Westmeath Entrance Scholars in 2008 are:

• Linda Connor from St Joseph"s College, Athlone who is now studying Science

• Mark Jordan and Sean Murphy past students of St Finian"s College, Mullingar, who are now studying Actuarial & Financial Studies, and Medicine respectively

• Anita Mulligan from Wilson"s Hospital in Multyfarnham, who is now studying Children"s and General Nursing.

• Mary Seery from St Joseph"s Secondary School Rochfortbridge who is now studying Science at UCD

Along with the five Westmeath scholarship recipients, Westmeath was also represented in the UCD High Achievers awards.

A further thirteen Westmeath students, along with two scholarship recipients, were recognised as UCD High Achievers - students who scored over 540 points in their Leaving Certificate.

This year, 527 First Years entered the ranks of the UCD High Achievers and their accomplishment will be recorded on their degree transcript when they graduate.

Eight Westmeath schools were represented in the 2008 UCD High Achievers. From Colaiste Mhuire in Mullingar were Karen Connolly and Enda Fagan.

From L.S.U Des Sacre Coeurs Athlone were Grainne Ahern, Dairine Dolan, Iseult Flynn and Rachel Gallagher. From St Aloysius School Athlone was Fiachra Fallon, and from Loreto College Mullingar were Sarah Faulkner and Roisin MacDermott.

From Wilson"s Hospital in Multyfarnham were James Fearon and Soren Marl. From St Joseph"s College in Athlone was Emma Harney. From St Joseph"s Secondary School in Rochfortbridge was Aoife Hyland, and from St Finian"s College in Mullingar were scholarship recipients Mark Jordan and Sean Murphy.

'Almost 25% of all Leaving Cert students who achieve over 540 points come to UCD,' says Dr Philip Nolan, Deputy President of UCD.

'While degrees such as Medicine and Law command high points because of demand for places, we have high point students across all our degrees.'

'We are delighted to see so many students from Westmeath coming to UCD and would encourage students to visit the campus on the open days on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th December.'