Donegal students honoured at All-Ireland Scholarships Awards ceremony

Two Donegal students have been awarded an All-Ireland Scholarship, which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.

Patrick Coleman of Buncrana and Seoda Wang from Donegal Town were honoured at the All Ireland Scholarships Awards Ceremony at University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.

In attendance at the ceremony was All Ireland Scholarships 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.

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Commenting at the awards ceremony, All Ireland Scholarships Sponsor JP 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 very 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, 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 and financial support for the duration of the students' third-level studies.