Tag Archives: University of Limerick

Pulitzer prizewinning novelist, Richard Ford gave a rare public reading at the University of Limerick on Tuesday evening. Invited and introduced by Professor Joseph O’Connor, UL’s Frank McCourt Chair in Creative Writing, Ford read from his latest book, a quartet of overlapping stories, Let Me Be Frank With You and took questions from full-to-capacity audience of over 350. The event was Mr Ford’s first ever visit to the region and was co-sponsored by the University of Limerick Arts office and Limerick City and County Arts Office. Professor O’Connor commented, “Richard Ford is one of the world’s leading writers in the English language, an author of immense range and importance. To host him here at UL is a pleasure and an honour.” Meanwhile, the second cohort of MA in Creative Writing students, have commenced their studies at UL. The programme is taught by internationally successful authors including our Chair of Creative Writing, Professor Joseph O’Connor (author of the million-selling Star of …

THE Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick has announced a graduate business scholarship programme for female county GAA players. Dr Philip O’Regan, dean of the Kemmy Business School and Aoife Lane, WGPA chairperson, signed a memorandum of understanding at the launch of the programme last week. The scholarships will see recipients receive a 50% fee waiver for taught postgraduate programmes at the Kenny Business School in areas such as economics, finance, taxation, human resource management, entrepreneurship, marketing, project management and many more, along with the opportunity to study at a campus equipped with some of the best sporting facilities in the country. Dr Fergal O’Brien, assistant dean, postgraduate studies at the school highlighted the shared competencies in sporting and academic success – determination, persistence, hard-work and dedication, while Aoife Lane spoke about the close ties between UL and the WGPA, with five of the seven founding members of the association currently or previously affiliated to the university. According …

TWENTY-one winters after winning a Fitzgibbon Cup medal on the field with UL, Brian Lohan was delighted and relieved to lead his Alma Mater to the 2015 title after a replay win over Waterford IT last week in Cork. Amongst the Clare contingent who played key roles were Tony Kelly, David McInerney, Jack Browne, Cathal McInerney and Gearóid Ryan. The double All-Ireland winning full-back and four-time All-Star felt the Fitzgibbon Cup helped him to develop as a player more than two decades ago and is now aiding his management career. “I played in three Fitzgibbons before eventually winning a fourth one. It was a huge learning curve for me as a player. Even though I wasn’t saying it, I felt that having been involved in the management set-up for three years already, you’d want to be learning in the fourth year. Without saying too much about it, I felt that this year we had to do it,” the 2015 Fitzgibbon …

THE University of Limerick hosted the National Stillwater Championships last weekend when there was outstanding success for Clare competitors. Norma Cahill was, once again, to the fore, achieving two world masters records in the 100m manikin tow and 100 manikin carry, as well as one European masters record in the 50m manikin carry. In addition, defending champions Clare retained the pool rescue national title. A field of 250 competitors took part over nine hours of swimming pool rescues. Many of the competitors, having worked as lifeguards in pools nationwide, got their chance to pitch their skills against the finest lifesavers in the country. “This annual competition gives the best lifesavers in Ireland an opportunity to compete in conditions that lifeguards can encounter in real-life rescue situations. The sport of lifesaving teaches participants the skills necessary to rescue people from drowning,” said Irish Water Safety chairperson, Breda Collins. The disciplines are varied and challenging, with competitors swimming for immersed ‘casualties’ (manikins) …

FORMER Munster and Irish rugby legend Alan Quinlan has launched the Milford Hospice 10km fundraising event, due to take place at the end of the month. The 10km run/walk will take place on Sunday, January 25 at the University of Limerick, with a new start time of 12 noon. Alan said, “I am delighted to be associated with this event. With so many people getting fit after all the Christmas festivities and with new-year resolutions in place, what better way to start the new year than by participating in the Milford Hospice 10km fun run/walk. I encourage everyone to participate. Bring your friends, family and neighbours. Everyone is welcome to come out and support Milford Hospice.” The 10km is open to runners and walkers of all levels and ability, with all of the proceeds going directly to Milford Hospice. Pat Quinlan, chief executive of Milford Care Centre, said, “This event has become a popular annual fun activity and the community …

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has confirmed that the University of Limerick continues to have the highest percentage of women at professorial level in the country. Thirty-one percent, or almost one third of professors at UL, are female. This compares to a national average of only 19%. Speaking on the HEA report, UL president, Professor Don Barry said, “A university is about more than just buildings and facilities; it is the people who give universities life; they create a sense of energy and they provide the power to achieve great things. As you will be aware, in UL we are committed to ensuring that all faculty and staff are enabled to achieve their full potential through valuing diversity and equality of opportunity.” UL was last year selected as the only Irish university to participate in FESTA – Female Empowerment in Science and Technology in Academia. A European Commission FP7 funded cross national initiative, FESTA is a five year collaborative project …

The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan has given a commitment to provide €10 million next year for investment in the University of Limerick library project. Welcoming this as “a move that will enhance the educational opportunities in the Mid-West region”, Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said,“I have received written confirmation from Minister Jan O’Sullivan that €10 million will be made available next year for the extention of the library at the University of Limerick. This is great news and follows a long campaign.” Continuuing, Deputy Carey said, “The need for a library extension at the University of Limerick was brought to my attention by the many Clare students that attend the college. Currently, there are over 13, 000 students attending the University of Limerick but unfortunately the library was designed to cater for 7000 students. This proposed development, which has the benefit of planning permission, will extend the library’s capacity to cater for the student population, adding …

Ennis engineering student, Graham Britchfield from Rockmount has been awarded a Hank Krabbe Scholarship at University of Limerick. A fourth year electronic and computer engineering student, Graham will receive a scholarship grant and is also eligible for co-operative education or summer placements at Analog Devices, sponsors of the scholarship. In total, six of UL’s top performing engineering students were awarded Hank Krabbe Scholarships. The top graduating engineering student is also eligible for the Hank Krabbe Medal and an accompanying grant of €5,000. Speaking at the scholarship awards ceremony, Denis Doyle, Vice President and General Manager Limerick Manufacturing, Analog Devices said; “There is a very strong, long-term and successful relationship between Analog Devices and the Electronic and Computer Engineering Department in UL, with many graduates of this course contributing to the success of Analog Devices. “Electronic engineering will continue to be at the heart of our future and with that in mind we have designed the awards to promote the brightest, …