The scholarship scheme was set up in 2018 to honour Máire Nic Shiubhlaigh a founder actress of the Abbey Theatre and a leader of Cumann na mBán in Jacob’s Biscuit Factory during the 1916 Rising. Máire was also an employee of Meath County Council where she worked as a branch librarian in Laytown during the 1950’s. The scheme was extended in recent years with new scholarships introduced for students attending DEIS schools. The two DEIS scholarships honour the memory of two other Irish language activists from the county, Mother Columba Gibbons, Loreto Navan and Máire Ní Raghallaigh from Drumconrath.

Commenting on the scholarship scheme, Martin Murray, Deputy CEO of Meath County Council said, “Tonight we are celebrating the Irish Language and the memory of three revolutionaries who otherwise would have got lost in the passage of time. Meath County Council Culture team continues to promote the Irish Language through initiatives and the funding of projects such as the recent launch of Ceann Scríbe Baile Ghib.”

Welcoming the expanded scholarship scheme Leas Chathaoirleach Cllr Paul McCabe added, “In honouring Máire Nic Shiubhlaigh, Mother Columba Gibbons and Máire Ní Raghallaigh we are ensuring that a new generation is aware of the sacrifies, and commitment made by women during the decade of centenaries. It is only in recent times that a light has been shone on the contribution of women during the decade of centenaries and I’m delighted that Meath County Council is now playing its part in ensuring these women are remembered.”

Students and their families were treated to a short performance from Máire Ní Churraoin, a native Irish speaker and Sean-Nós singer from the Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht.

Meath County Council wishes all the young people who received a scholarship all the best in their Gaeltacht adventures this summer.

Recipients

Maire Nic Shiubhlaigh Scholarship:

1. Feidhlim Boland – St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan
2. Jack Shorten – St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan
3. Muireann Traynor – St. Michael’s Loreto Secondary School, Navan
4. Katie Martin - St. Michael’s Loreto Secondary School, Navan
5. Clódagh Ní Éimhín – Scoil Mhuire Trim
6. Jasmine Kelly – Scoil Mhuire Trim
7. Cormac Ó Dorchaidhe – Athboy Community School
8. Charlotte Colgan – Athboy Community College
9. Caoimhe Murphy – St. Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School, Navan
10. Kate Clarke – St. Joseph’s Mercy secondary School, Navan
11. Aisling McCormack – St. Peters College Dunboyne
12. Donal Mac Giolla Rua – St Peters College Dunboyne
13. Doireann Ní Mhuirí – Coláiste Pobail Ráth Chairn
14. Aislinn Brophy – Colaiste na hInse Bettystown
15. Conor Barron – Coláiste na hInse Bettystown
16. Liona O’Connor – Colaiste de Lacy Ashbourne
17. Grace O’Donoghue – Ashbourne Community School
18. Ruby Govern – St. Olivers Post Primary, Oldcastle
19. Lucy Boyle – Dunshaughlin Community College
20. David Fagan – Dunshaughlin Community College
21. Alice Kinsella – Ratoath College
22. Sean Traynor – Enfield Community College
23. Faye Gilsenan – Eureka Secondary School, Kells
24. Áine Harney -  Eureka secondary School, Kells

MOTHER COLUMBA SCHOLARSHIP:

1. Áine Clarke – O’Carolan College Nobber
2. Sadhbh Smyth – O’Carolan College Nobber
3. Dónal Corbett- O’Carolan College Nobber
4. Gemma Quinn – O’Carolan College Nobber
5. Ronan Greene- Coláiste Clavin Longwood
6. Anna Treanor – Colaiste Clavin Longwood
7. Sorcha Coffey – Boyne Community Trim
8. Colm Báille- Boyne Community Trim

MÁIRE NÍ RAGHALLAIGH SCHOLARSHIP:

1. James Cully – Coláiste Clavin Longwood
2. Lucy Lynch O’Sullivan – Coláiste Clavin Longwood
3. Cathal Byrne – Boyne Community Trim
4. Conor Cummins – Boyne Community Trim
5. Harry Monaghan – O’Carolan College Nobber
6. Grace Sheridan - O’Carolan College Nobber