The former Agricultural College in Mountbellew is set to play an integral role in adding to the number of vets in Ireland – after confirmation this week that it had won the race to deliver the country’s veterinary medicine course outside of UCD.

Higher Education Minister Patrick O’Donovan said that a new veterinary medicine course would be delivered on a partnership basis by ATU Mountbellew and ATU Letterkenny.

The Cabinet has already approved the establishment of two new schools of veterinary medicine, creating 80 new places nationally – 40 in the Atlantic Technological University and 40 in the South East Technological University.

The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine will be a five-year course, with ATU Mountbellew focusing on the farm and large animal aspects of the degree, and also placing students in work experience with practitioners in the region.

Galway East Deputy Ciaran Cannon described it as a historic day for education in the West of Ireland.

“I’m delighted to see this happening, it’s an absolute testament to the professionalism of ATU, and the leadership at the ATU Mountbellew campus,” he said.

Caption: New era…Niamh Madden, Dr Edna Curley and Ciaran Cannon TD at a recent meeting in ATU Mountbellew.

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