Three Tallaght students have been awarded educational scholarships through a community-based initiative organised by An Cosán community education centre in Jobstown and sponsored by Sherry FitzGerald estate agents. The students, who successfully completed their Leaving Certificate exams this summer and are now settling into third level education, were presented with the FitzGerald Family Scholarship Awards at a special ceremony held recently in An Cosán.
Uche Disu, Kevin McCarthy and Jide Lawal were presented with their awards by Will Moore, Regional Director, Dealbha Prendergast, HR Director, of Sherry FitzGerald, and Heydi Foster, CEO an Cosán. They were joined at the celebration by proud family members and representatives of the students’ former schools. An Cosán set up the scholarship (originally known as the Joan FitzGerald Award) in 2004 in memory of Joan FitzGerald, wife of the late Dr Garret FitzGerald, former Taoiseach of Ireland. The award scheme strives to break down barriers, creating equal access opportunities to third-level education.
Uche Disu, from Rossfield, attended Old Bawn Community School, and is now in Dublin City University studying Psychology and Disruptive Technologies. Uche is a keen athlete and wishes to continue to develop her athletic career while studying at DCU, and states receiving the scholarship will help to ease financial pressures. Old Bawn described Uche as “an exceptional student”.
Kevin McCarthy from Mount Seskin Community Collegeis in TU Dublin studying Sustainable Energy Engineering. Kevin states that receiving the scholarship will allow him to invest in a laptop, as he was conducting research for his course using his phone, and the computers in college. The ACE co-ordinator in Mount Seskin Community College – Susan O’Connor, described Kevin as “a very hard-working student with excellent attendance records throughout his years attending the college”
Jide Lawal from St Marks Community School is in TU Dublin studying Mechanical Engineering. Jide also plans to use the funding from the scholarship to purchase a laptop, which is essential for his studies. The Assistant Principal from St Mark’s Community College – Janice Martin – commented that “Jide always pushed himself to the max in terms of academic achievements, and was always available to support his peers and the younger members of the school community”
Speaking at the awards ceremony, An Cosán’s Chief Executive Officer, Heydi Foster said, “The co- founders of An Cosán, Drs Ann Louise Gilligan and Katherine Zappone, had the privilege of knowing Joan in her later years and described her as an inspiration to their work in West Tallaght. They spoke of the many conversations they had with Joan about life, learning, family, women, and theology, and how her comments and questions were always filled with insight and challenge.
“Joan’s love of learning and her passion for justice were the seedbed of her extraordinary wisdom. Joan was committed to the advancement and empowerment of women and to an Irish society characterised by justice. “In 2004, to honour Joan and to keep the memory of her spirit alive, An Cosán initiated the Joan FitzGerald Award. Over the past 18 years this award has been presented to local students, who were nominated by their schools, and going on to study at third level institutes. The awards, which are now funded by Sherry FitzGerald were at first presented by the late Dr Garret FitzGerald and, after he passed away in 2011, by one of his three children – John, Mary, or Mark – and, more recently, by one of his grandchildren.”
Will Moore, Regional Director of Sherry FitzGerald said it was a privilege to fund the scholarship and to present the scholarships to three such deserving students. “They should all be very proud of themselves and I wish them every success in the future,” he said. “I am happy to present this award in Joan FitzGerald’s name.
Pictured L-R at the presentation of the FitzGerald Awards 2024 are Heydi Foster, CEO, An Cosán; Dealbha Prendergast, HR Director, Sherry FitzGerald; Kevin McCarthy, FitzGerald Award recipient; Uche Disu, FitzGerald Award recipient; Jide Lawal, FitzGerald Award recipient; Will Moore, Regional Director, Sherry FitzGerald.
