Westmeath students honoured with McManus scholarships
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Aislinn McKeon, student, and Bridie Smyth, deputy principal, Loreto College, Mullingar, with JP McManus and Patrick O’Donovan, TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.Image 2 of 2
Alina Farah Siddiqui, St Finian’s College, Mullingar, with JP McManus and Patrick O’Donovan, TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.Three Westmeath students have been awarded all-Ireland scholarships that will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.
Alina Farah Siddiqui (Streete), Aislinn McKeon (Mullingar), and Yaqing Liu (Killucan) were honoured at the All-Ireland Scholarships Awards Ceremony on April 25 in University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.
In attendance were sponsor JP McManus, guest of honour and CEO of Cuan Mhuire Bruree, Sr Agnes Fitzgerald, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Patrick O’Donovan, TD, and director of Skills, Strategy and Policy, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland, Graeme Wilkinson, as well as the family, friends and school representatives of the scholarship recipients.
Mr McManus said: “I am honoured to be here to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of these 125 students. To date, 1,924 students have received an All Ireland Scholarship and 1,382 of those students have since graduated from university.
“Today is a special occasion for the class of 2024, their families, friends, and teachers. We wish them all the very best as they pursue their studies and university and look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the years to come.”
The All Ireland Scholarships, established by JP McManus in 2008, provide financial support to gifted students pursuing third-level education. Each year, 125 scholarships are awarded across the 32 counties of Ireland.
Recipients receive €6,750 per annum in Ireland and £5,500 per annum in Northern Ireland, covering the duration of their undergraduate studies.
The third level educational scholarship is awarded to 125 of the highest achieving students per year, with a minimum of two students from each county. 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.
More information about the All Ireland Scholarships can be found here.
Video on the All Ireland Scholarships can be found here.