TEN students from Donegal have received prestigious Entrance Exhibition awards from Trinity College Dublin in recognition of outstanding performances in their final school examinations.
The local students are among 602 first-year students from all over Ireland and overseas to receive an Entrance Award from Trinity this year.
The ten Donegal students are Eoghan Strain from Scoil Mhuire, Eoin Flanagan from St Eunan’s College, Fern Duffy from Clochar Loreto, Gift Eseosa Osagiede from Errigal College, Ibrahim Hanash from Finn Valley College, Mariia Paketa-Melnychuk from St Catherine’s Vocational School, Aidan Doherty from Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Dualta Bracken from St Columba’s Comprehensive School, Dana Reece from Royal and Prior, and Pearl Lily Anna McHugh from Coláiste Cholm Cille.
The students and their former school principals were invited to receive and celebrate their awards at ceremonies in Trinity’s Examination Hall from January 20 to 22.
Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle congratulated all the awardees.
Gift Eseosa Osagiede from Errigal College, Letterkenny, was honoured at the Trinity Entrance Exhibition in Dublin. She is pictured with Principal Danny McFadden.
“It is our great privilege to welcome these wonderful students to Trinity College Dublin,” Ms Doyle said.
“They deserve enormous credit for the hard work and commitment that have brought them to this point.
“I have every confidence that they will thrive in Trinity’s incredible academic environment and enjoy the creativity and fun of our 150 sports clubs and societies.
“I also want to congratulate all those who have supported these students on their journeys.
“In addition to their parents and guardians, I want to acknowledge the dedication of school principals, teachers and wider school staff – both primary and secondary – who play such a vital role in bringing out the best in students during their formative years.”
The awards go to students accepted into the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree who achieve the highest points among Trinity entrants from their secondary school, above a minimum of 500 CAO points (or equivalent).
When more than one student from a school gets the same high points, all receive an award.
Many former awardees have gone on to make a significant contribution to the economic, cultural, and political life of Ireland and beyond.
Past Exhibitioners include former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Awardees received a certificate and a €150 book token.
