Kilkenny Students Celebrate Graduation at Carlow College Ceremony

Students from Kilkenny and beyond gathered to celebrate their academic achievements at the annual graduation ceremony of Carlow College, St Patrick’s, held on March 15, 2024. A total of 139 graduates received their degrees in the historic setting of Carlow Cathedral, marking a significant milestone for the college community and its commitment to educational excellence.

Among the standout recipients was Roisin Browne from Windgap, who was named Student of the Year. Graduating with a BA (Hons) in English & History, she received the prestigious James Fintan Lalor Student of the Year Award for her exceptional academic performance and contributions to campus life. Roisin expressed her gratitude, stating, “There’s a real sense of community in the college itself; it doesn’t feel like there’s a huge disparity between students and lecturers. It’s provided me with the necessary skills and confidence to pursue a level 9 master’s.” She is currently enrolled in a Master’s program at University College Dublin, focusing on Archives & Records Management.

The graduation ceremony also celebrated the achievements of 12 other students from Kilkenny, including Daragh Ó Faoláin from Kilkenny City. Daragh graduated with a BA (Hons) in Arts and Humanities and was honored with the Rev Dr John Cummins Interdisciplinary Prize for the best final-year dissertation in his field. He is now pursuing a Master’s in Philosophy at UCD.

Celebrating Milestones in Psychology and Community

This year’s ceremony held extra significance as it marked the first graduating class from the new BA (Hons) in Psychology, a program accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and launched in 2022. Among the trailblazers was Kelly Coogan from Castlecomer, who, along with 22 other students, completed the rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for further study or careers in psychology and related fields.

The event was presided over by Fr Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh, College President, and attended by Bishop Denis Nulty, Chair of the Governing Body. Fr Ó Maoldhomhnaigh congratulated the graduates, stating, “The Class of 2025 represents the heart of Carlow College’s mission — to foster critical thinking, compassion, and a commitment to social justice. We are especially proud to celebrate the first graduates from our Psychology programme, who have set a strong foundation for future cohorts.”

The graduates hailed from 14 counties across Ireland and included international students from Greece and the Czech Republic. Each graduate was presented with their parchments by Fr Ó Maoldhomhnaigh, who emphasized the college’s commitment to nurturing individual paths: “As College President, it is my pleasure and privilege to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of all of our graduates. They have been part of our journey over the past three to four years, and we wish them the very best as they continue on their own individual paths.”

Carlow College extends its warmest congratulations to the Class of 2025 and looks forward to supporting future cohorts in their academic and professional endeavors.