Scholarship success for Academy duo

Former Ballymena Academy pupils, Katherine Aiken and Peter McCrum, who were presented with All Ireland Scholarship Awards at a lavish ceremony held at the University of Limerick, Saturday morning.

Students Katherine Aiken and Peter McCrum received their accolades on Saturday from Minister of Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD; Minister for Employment and Learning NI, Dr. Stephen Farry MLA; and, the award’s sponsor, JP McManus.

Katherine and Peter were accompanied at the ceremony by their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ian Aiken and Mr. and Mrs. Hughie McCrum.

The value of each scholarship is set at €6,750 per annum in Ireland and £5,500 per annum in Northern Ireland and will continue for the duration of the under graduate programmes chosen by the scholarship winners.

There are 125 award winners with at least two recipients from each of the 32 counties of Ireland; with 25 scholarships awarded to students from Northern Ireland and 100 to students from Ireland.

JP McManus has contributed a total of €32M in support of third level education initiatives in recognition of the 32 counties of Ireland and it is estimated that over 1,300 students will benefit from the scheme over its duration.

The programme is managed by a board of Trustees and is administered by the Dept. of Education & Skills, the Dept. for Employment & Learning with support from the Dept. of Education NI.