Student Bursary Awards Sponsored by Newmarket Motors & Volkswagen

15 September 2008

In May of this year, Newmarket Motors, leading Volkswagen Dealers, launched a Bursary to assist students who attend school in the greater Duhallow area and/or who live in the area, as they embark on their 3rd Level Studies.   The idea of the bursary was to assist students from the area and at the same time acknowledge the immense level of community spirit that abounds in Duhallow. 

On  Friday 12th September, 55 Students who were shortlisted for the Bursaries were present in the Newmarket Motors Showrooms as Minister for Education & Science Batt O'Keeffe TD presented each of the 55 Students with their Certificates and the five ultimate Winners with their Bursaries and their Awards.

Minister O'Keeffe TD expressed his delight at participating in the Awards Evening "‘I would like to congratulate all of the students who were recognised here tonight both for their academic achievements and their commitment to the community. Duhallow is well known for its community spirit and these students, whether they received certificates or trophies, demonstrate the reason we can be so proud of our young people today as we look to the future with confidence.  Our third-level education institutions play a key part in building the knowledge economy and, as Minister for Education and Science and as a local TD, I am delighted that Newmarket Motors has taken the decision to help to financially support our bright young people who are the building blocks for Ireland's future.'

Annette Brown from Newmarket Motors who presented each of the Winning Students with their Bursary stated "With the current economic downturn that most businesses are experiencing, we at Newmarket Motors felt it would be valuable to channel our energies into looking towards the future and our young people in the community who encompass our future.  We believe that by recognising the wealth of talent and community spirit that exists among the young people of Duhallow, it would celebrate what a very bright future is ahead of us, with talented people like the nominees in front of us at the helm."

Chairman of the Independent Judging Committee Andy Walsh stated "Coming from the area, I have always been aware of the great Community Spirit that exists in Duhallow, this awareness was heightened even more going through each and every one of the Application Forms of these young people.  I honestly don't know how they manage to pack so much into their days.  I wish them the very best in their studies and hope that on completion of their studies, we will see them back living in Duhallow and giving as much to the community as they are doing today."

Andy was joined on the Judging Committee was Munster and Ireland Rugby Star, Tony Buckley; Roisin Kelliher, Careers and Recruitment Consultant (Former President of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors); Broadcaster, Patricia Messinger from C103 and Maura Walsh, IRD Duhallow.

Newmarket native Tony Buckley, Munster and Ireland Rugby player, who was a member of the Judging Panel announced the five Winners; assisted by Daithi O'Sé, TG4 Presenter who acted as MC for the night.  The winners are:-

Each of the Five Winners received a specially commissioned Trophy and a Bursary to the value of €1,000 compliments of Newmarket Motors and Volkswagen Ireland.  All 55 Shortlisted Nominees received a personalised framed Certificate and a voucher for €250 from Newmarket Motors for the purchase of their first car.