JP McManus honours exceptional students

The annual all-Ireland scholarship scheme, established in 2008 and sponsored by successful racehorse owner JP McManus, provides financial assistance to 125 high achieving students following the completion of their leaving certificate and A-level exams.

Prospective winners must come from a socio-economically disadvantaged background. In the South, this is verified by exemption from the leaving certificate fee and attendance of a non-fee paying school. Similarly, in the North, potential winners must be in receipt of education maintenance allowance and attend a grant-aided school or a further education college.

The scholarships, totalling £5,500 and €6,750 in the North and the South respectively, are paid annually to the winners for the duration of their undergraduate pathways.

During the most recent awards ceremony in November for the students, their parents, school principals and guests of honour, JP McManus remarked: “Each of you has worked hard and you deserve nothing more than to continue your studies and excel in your chosen field and I wish you every success in the future.”

McManus has contributed a total of

€32 million to third-level educational initiatives across the island. The All-Ireland Scholarship Trust has received €30 million to fund the annual provision of these bursaries and it is estimated that over 1,300 students will receive assistance during the life of the scholarship programme.

In the South there is no application process. Instead the scholarships are awarded based upon leaving certificate results and winners notified in mid-September. Meanwhile in the North, application forms are distributed to schools and successful students are notified in September. A minimum of two scholarships are allocated in each of the 32 counties from a ranked list of applicants, and the remainder issued to those next in the list.