Smart Galway students prove themselves cream of crop
Nine of Galway’s brightest Leaving Cert students of last year have been awarded an All-Ireland Scholarship which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.
Alexander Brown, Oleksandr Didenko, Adam Drapinski, Kate Fawle, Maximillian Flanagan, Gráinne Griffith, Saoirse Murphy, Christopher Salermo, and Féilim Walsh were honoured at the recent All-Ireland Scholarships Awards Ceremony in University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.
In attendance at the ceremony was All Ireland Scholarships sponsor JP McManus, Guest of Honour and Double Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington, Deputy Willie O’Dea, and Head of the Skills and Education Group for the Department for the Economy NI, Louise Watson – as well as the family, friends and school representatives of the scholarship recipients.
Kellie Harrington said she was honoured to be the Guest of Honour.
“It is a very special occasion for the 2025 winners, their families, and school principals, and they should be very proud of themselves and their accomplishments,” she said.
The All-Ireland Scholarships, established by JP McManus in 2008, provide financial support to gifted students pursuing third-level education.
It is a very special occasion for the 2025 winners, their families, and school principals
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 have attended a non-fee-paying school and be in receipt of a SUSI grant or an Education Maintenance Allowance in Northern Ireland. The scholarship offers full academic financial support for the duration of the students’ third level studies.
Mr McManus expressed his delight at celebrating what he called the outstanding academic achievements of the 2025 All Ireland Scholarship winners from across the island of Ireland.
“To date, 2,051 students have received an All-Ireland Scholarship and 1,437 of those students have since graduated from university,” he said.
“Today is a very special occasion for the scholarship winners, their families, and teachers. We wish them every success as they continue their studies at university and look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the years to come,” he added.