Mayo native honoured at MIC Thurles graduation

JOY and pride swept through Thurles on Friday as 127 Mary Immaculate College (MIC) Thurles graduates, joined by family, friends and lecturers, gathered for the inaugural MIC Thurles conferring ceremony - the first to be held in the town since MIC’s incorporation of St. Patrick’s College in 2016.

In previous years, MIC Thurles graduates celebrated alongside their Limerick peers in joint ceremonies on the Limerick campus. This year, however, the spotlight turned exclusively to Thurles, as the Cathedral of the Assumption became the proud setting for a day filled with celebration.

Among the graduates honoured was Claremorris native Gemma Garvey.

Gemma was one of two graduates recognised with two awards each. Gemma, BA in Education, Business Studies and Religious Studies, was honoured with the Saint Bonaventure Trust Prize, awarded to the graduate who achieves first place in Theology and Religious Studies, along with recognition for academic excellence in Religious Studies.

Graduates from across Ireland and beyond gathered to receive Bachelor of Arts in Education awards in post-primary teaching, specialising in subjects such as Accounting, Business Studies, Religious Studies, Gaeilge, and Mathematics. Postgraduate awards, at certificate, diploma and masters level, were also conferred in Mentoring and Middle Leadership in Primary and Post-primary Settings.

Professor Dermot Nestor, president of MIC, congratulated the graduates, paying tribute to their hard work and resilience: "Graduation is always a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when passion meets purpose. For our MIC Thurles graduates, this day represents years of dedication, collaboration and the shared belief that education changes lives."

Prospective students interested in pursuing a career in post-primary teaching are invited to attend the MIC Thurles Open Day on Saturday, November 8 (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.). The event offers visitors the opportunity to meet staff and students, explore the campus and learn more about MIC Thurles’ concurrent teacher education programmes.

Register for the MIC open day here.