In The Picture — 17 June 2022

Fulbright Irish Awards

 

 

 

Pictured at the Fulbright Awards ceremony are Cailín Fox and Eimear Milane

 

Eimear Millane, who is studying for an MEd degree at St Mary’s, and College graduate Cailín Fox, received Fulbright Irish Awards to teach Irish at the University of Connecticut and the University of Notre Dame respectively, at a recent awards ceremony in Iveagh House, Dublin.

Among a group of forty Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2022-2023, they received their awards from Joe Hackett (Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs) and Alexandra McKnight (Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Dublin) acting on behalf of US Ambassador to Ireland, Clare Cronin.

The Fulbright Program has served to strengthen international relations for seventy-five years. The Fulbright Commission in Ireland’s vision of ‘inspiring minds to create a global culture of understanding’ is more important than ever in today’s increasingly polarised world. This year’s Irish awardees will undertake research, teaching and study in the USA spanning many disciplines. They will address pressing societal issues, engage with US society, and share their knowledge when they return home.

Prof Peter Finn KSG, Principal of St Mary’s University College Belfast said, “We are delighted for both Eimear and Cailín and wish them well for their time in the USA. St Mary’s is very pleased to be associated with the Fulbright Irish Awards with the Irish language having been taught at our campus from as far back as 1900.”

 

The two St Mary’s University College, Belfast Awardees:

  1. Cailín Fox is a Drama and English teacher in Coláiste Feirste, Belfast. She completed her BEd Degree in St Mary’s University College, Belfast where she was chairperson of ‘An Chumann Gaelach’ and acted as ‘Irish Language and Cultural Officer’ on behalf of the Student’s Union. Cailín ran ‘Áisling Óg’ Drama School in Belfast for a number of years and currently directs ‘An Chumann Drámaíochta’ in the school she works in. She will be a Fulbright FLTA to the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. 
  1. Eimear Millane holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, and is currently undertaking a Masters in Literacy and the Curriculum in St Mary’s University College, Belfast. She is a primary school teacher in Bunscoil Bhríde in Co Kildare, where she oversees the Coiste Gaelach. Eimear has a keen interest in GAA and plays camogie with Naas in Co Kildare. She is also a Clare traditional musician who plays the concertina and sings in the sean nós style. She has competed successfully at Fleadhanna Ceoil throughout Ireland. She will be a Fulbright FLTA to the University of Connecticut.

 

The Fulbright Commission in Ireland

The global Fulbright Program was established in 1946. Ireland-US exchanges began in 1957 and the Fulbright Commission in Ireland annually awards grants for Irish citizens to study, research, or teach in the US and for Americans to do the same in Ireland. Since its formation, over 2,500 postgraduate students, scholars, professionals, and teachers across all disciplines have participated in the programme between the US and Ireland. The Commission is supported by the US Department of State and the Irish Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs. It is also a registered charity.