5 Gaeltacht students awarded scholarships from Údarás na Gaeltachta and the HSE

Gaeltacht students from all around the country gathered in Údarás na Gaeltachta headquarters in Furbo recently as part of the first ever awards ceremony for the Gaeltacht Scolarship Scheme

The scheme, which has been running for over twenty years, is a co-partnership between Údarás na Gaeltachta and the HSE and is focused on Gaeltacht students enrolled in health related courses. The scheme aims to support Gaeltacht students and to encourage more healthcare professionals with Gaeilge to build careers in Gaeltacht areas.

“Communication between patients and healthcare professionals is hugely important. Given this importance,  the Gaeltacht community should be able to carry out this communication through the Irish language. As well as this, this scholarship presents a fantastic opportunity to provide Gaeltacht employment to the capable young people from the area. We would like to congratulate all the students who have been awarded this scholarship up to now for their hard work and for their dedication to the Gaeltacht, the Irish Language and to the healthcare industry. Tá moladh mór tuillte acu.” Said Rónán Mac Con Iomaire, Director of Regional, Community Development and Language Planning in Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Speaking on the scheme, Jonathan Hoare, South West Regional Communications and Public Affairs  Manager  of the HSE, said: “This scholarship scheme is an investment in the future of healthcare in Gaeltacht communities. It supports students who can bring both professional expertise and Irish-language ability into health and social care services, helping to build services that are more accessible, responsive and connected to the communities they serve.”

Five students were awarded this years scholarship, with four of them in attendance at the event in Furbo.

Scolarships were rewarded to:

• Colm de Buitléar of An Cheathrú Rua studying Medicine (BMBS) in University of Limerick
• Éilis Ní Ruiséil from Gort a Choirce studying Medicine in University of Limerick
• Colm Ó hEartáin from Corca Dhuibhne studying Medicine at the University of Galway
• Leah Nic Dhonnacha of Camus Uachtair studying Nursing in Technological University of the Shannon
• Siona Ní Chonghaile from Inir Mór studying Nursing in ATU Sligo

Dr.Odharna Ní Dhomhnalláin of Ros Muc, Conamara, who was awarded the scholarship in 2017 while studying medicine in Trinity College (and is currently undertaking a course in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics), and Fedelma Ní Ráighne of Indreabhán, Conamara, who was awarded the scholarship in 2024 while studying a postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy, were also presented with certs as Alumni of the scheme. 

The scheme aims to improve the availability of health services for Irish speakers, aligning with Údarás na Gaeltachta’s objective of strengthening the Irish language, in particular as the main communal language of the Gaeltacht.

The scholarship includes €4000 per years 2 to 4 of their course. Applicants must be fluent in Irish, from the Gaeltacht and currently enrolled in a postgraduate course in the field of health.

Údaras na Gaeltachta is happy to work in partnership with the HSE once again this year on delivering these scholarships and welcomes the first official awards ceremony of the scheme.

More information: https://about.hse.ie/our-work/sc%C3%A9im-scol%C3%A1ireachta-gaeltachta/