Pictured at the awards in Limerick are Principal Andrew Kelly, Loreto Community College, President Bill Clinton, Shaun Sweeney with sponsor JP McManus.
FOUR Donegal students were presented with an All Ireland Scholarship toward their third level education by former US President, Mr Bill Clinton last Saturday, November 17.
Kevin Meehan (St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny), Peadar Sweeney (Rosses Community College, Dungloe), Shaun Sweeney (Loreto Community School, Milford) and Kyro Keown (Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon) were presented with the awards by President Clinton and sponsor, Mr JP McManus, in a ceremony at University of Limerick.
This is the fifth year for the Scholarships. A total of 125 students from both North and South of Ireland were presented with a third level scholarship certificate.
Sponsored by Mr McManus, the scheme is set to provide financial assistance to many high achieving students who completed their Leaving Certificate or A Levels in 2012.
Speaking at the event, President Clinton said: “I would like to say to the students, today’s current economic crisis will pass and your education will endure, and it is very important that just as in making of peace, the Irish threw off the heavy hand of history to grasp for a brighter future, we throw off the burden of the current economic crisis to imagine a different future.
“What an education is, is a range of possibilities. It is a gift of personal freedom. It is a chance to make the most of, in spite of all the troubles at the moment.”
JP McManus has contributed €32 million to fund the provision of these scholarships each year and it is estimated that over 1,300 students from the 32 counties will benefit from the scheme over its duration.
The awards are administered by the Department of Education & Skills and Department of Education in Northern Ireland.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)