CASTLETOWNBERE Primary Education graduate, Grace O’Donoghue had double cause for celebration after achieving ‘top of her class’ status at the 25th annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony, held at Dublin’s Convention Centre recently, and at which the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD was guest of honour.

Coupled with receiving her Masters qualification, Grace was honoured with the overall Student of the Year Award – presented by the college to the student in each cohort with the highest grade across the primary programme. In addition, Grace received the INTO Vere Foster Medal – awarded by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) for Outstanding Performance in School Placement.

Grace was one of what was a record number of over 1,000 graduates from all 26 counties to qualify with Masters in Primary and Post-Primary teaching, and, for the first time, a Masters or Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education, or a BSc in Nursing.

Congratulating the graduates and acknowledging the remarkable achievements of each and every one of them, Dr Mary Kelly, President of Hibernia College Group, emphasised that those gathered had demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience throughout their studies. She affirmed her confidence that ‘each graduate will go on to make a vital and valuable contribution to their chosen profession.