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

Jack Kinane and Myles Loughran from Calasanctius College, Oranmore; Luke Rice, Coláiste Éinde; Liam Murphy, Coláiste Muire Máthair; Ava Leyden, Gort Community School; James Moran, Presentation College, Athenry; Jacqueline Glynn, St Cuan’s College, Castleblakeney, and Emily Walshe from Salerno were honoured at the All-Ireland Scholarships Awards Ceremony on the 30th of March in University Concert Hall in University of Limerick.

In attendance at the ceremony was scholarship sponsor JP McManus; Guest of Honour and CEO of Northwell Health, Michael J. Dowling; Minister for Further and Higher Education Niall Collins, and Director of Skills, Strategy & Policy, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland, Graeme Wilkinson as well as the family, friends and school representatives of the scholarship recipients.

JP McManus said he was delighted to celebrate ‘the outstanding academic achievements of these 125 students’.

“To date, 1,799 students have received an All-Ireland Scholarship and 1,348 of those students have since graduated from university,” he said.

“Today is a very special occasion for the students, their families and principals. They should all be very proud of themselves, and we are looking forward to seeing what they do in years to come,” he added.

The All-Ireland Scholarships were established in 2008 by JP McManus and this year marks its 16th anniversary.

The third level educational scholarship is awarded to 125 of the highest – achieving students per year, with a minimum of two students from each of the 32 counties.

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.

Pictured: Sponsor JP McManus and Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science presenting All Ireland Scholarship Award to Jack Kinane, Calasanctius College, Oranmore.