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President of Ireland visits 福利1000在线 College Cork
- Uachtar谩n na h脡ireann visited Gaelchol谩iste Mhic Shuibhne and UCC in first official trip to Cork.
Uachtar谩n na h脡ireann Catherine Connolly visited Gaelchol谩iste Mhic Shuibhne (Terence MacSwiney Community College) in Knocknaheeny, Cork, on Wednesday 27 May, while later attending a series of engagements at 福利1000在线 College Cork (UCC).
The visit highlighted the ongoing partnership between UCC and Gaelchol谩iste Mhic Shuibhne through the Barr na gCnoc project, a university-assisted community schools initiative, funded by the HEA, focused on educational and social enhancement using Irish-language education as an enabler.
During her visit to Gaelchol谩iste Mhic Shuibhne, President Connolly met students participating in the Barr na gCnoc initiative, attended a musical performance, and met the prize winners of the Young Scientist Competition.
President Connolly then travelled to UCC, where she met UCC President Professor John O鈥橦alloran, viewed the historic Book of Lismore, the 1916 Proclamation in UCC Library, and addressed students and staff. The visit to the university also included a traditional music performance.
鈥淲e warmly welcome the President of Ireland to Cork and UCC. Our partnership with the Terence MacSwiney Community College centres on improving access to higher education and working together with the school and the community, the team behind this project have delivered remarkable results,鈥� stated Professor John O鈥橦alloran MRIA, President of UCC.
鈥淚t is a great honour to have our work in the Barr na gCnoc project recognised by Uachtar谩n na h脡ireann, and for that recognition to be shared with the Irish-language community of UCC,鈥� Professor P谩draig 脫 Mach谩in, Barr na gCnoc project lead and Professor of Modern Irish at UCC, said.
鈥淲e in Gaelchol谩iste Mhic Shuibhne are absolutely delighted to be part of the Barr na gCnoc Project and we are honoured that Uachtar谩n na h脡ireann will recognise the success of this partnership during her visit. The involvement of UCC is a very welcome endorsement of our students and the wider Knocknaheeny and Hollyhill communities. We have gained so much from the support, guidance and friendship of our colleagues in UCC. Professor P谩draig 脫 Mach谩in, Project Lead, and Ms. Adel Coleman, Project Manager, have walked alongside us in the spirit of partnership鈥攕haring in our successes and supporting us through every challenge. Our Board of Management and Cork ETB join us in extending a sincere 肠茅补诲&苍产蝉辫;尘铆濒别&苍产蝉辫;蹿谩颈濒迟别&苍产蝉辫;to Uachtar谩n na h脡ireann, Catherine Connolly," Principal of Terence MacSwiney Community College, Phil O鈥橣lynn, said.
Through the Barr na gCnoc project, UCC partners closely with the school to address barriers to educational and social inclusion. The initiative focuses on four core pillars: Advocacy, Student Support, Teacher Support, and Parent Support. Improved educational aspirations is an outstanding impact of Gaelchol谩iste Mhic Shuibhne and鈥�Barr na gCnoc. A commissioned study into the impact of the school and the Barr na gCnoc initiative found that parents and pupils consistently expressed increased aspirations toward third-level education, particularly at UCC.