Student Amelie Bonner awarded fourth Coogan-Gallagher Scholarship
Amelie is the fourth recipient of the €3,000 scholarship, aimed at assisting students on their career path
Amelie Bonner has been presented with the 2026 Coogan Gallagher Scholarship.
The scholarship, which is not based on academic performance, was established by a past student at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Caroleann Gallagher.
“So honoured to award the fourth annual Coogan Gallagher Scholarship to Amelie, who is an amazing student and person and who has a very bright future ahead!” Caroleann shared. “Amelie, wishing you all the very best in your upcoming Leaving Cert - I have no doubt you will absolutely smash it!”
The previous recipients were Aoife O’Donnell, JJ O’Donnell and Finn Trocmé.
Caroleann studied law at the University of Galway and practised as a solicitor in Ireland. Following on, she moved to Chicago, where she took the Illinois State Bar exam in 2011. Caroleann has been a partner at Coogan Gallagher PC, a Chicago-based law firm, along with Jim Coogan.
Caroleann recently became the President of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), a legal organisation focused on the welfare of female attorneys and supporting professional development.
She was one of the first pupils to attend Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada in 1990. The award was created out of her gratitude for all that the school brought to the island and to help students with financing further education.
Now in its fourth year, the scholarship will be available annually and will award the winner €3,000 to assist them on their career path.