Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship

Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship 2025 is now open for applications.

This scholarship is jointly awarded by Mary Immaculate College and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) to the amount of €4,000, which will be a bursary awarded to a first year Bachelor of Education student for their exceptional achievement (solo, ensemble and in the community) and talent in the field of traditional Irish music.

Applicants apply directly to MIC for the scholarship via the English Application Form, or the Irish Application Form, depending on the applicants preference, quoting their CAO Number.

Incoming undergraduate applicants must place at least one of the following teacher education (primary) programmes as their number one choice on their CAO application:

• Bachelor of Education International (MI004)
• Bachelor of Education Primary Teaching (MI005/ MI006)
• B Ed in Education & Psychology (MI008)

Applicants are required to provide a video recording which demonstrates their excellent technical proficiency in one or more Irish traditional musical instruments.

Applicants must meet the Assessment Criteria and must meet all the necessary entry requirements for their chosen programme.

Applicants must accept their CAO place and fully register on their chosen programme in the same year of scholarship application.

The awardee is expected to act as an ambassador for MIC and the INTO in terms of their music participation and other activities as requested by the College and the INTO for the year in which they hold the scholarship.

For more information please contact the Education Office, email: EducationOffice@mic.ul.ie.

Please note: MIC is required to disclose to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) all funding provided by the College to students that have applied for a SUSI grant. Depending on the type of funding granted to students by the College, SUSI may include it as reckonable income in their determination of SUSI grants.

Please refer to Terms & Conditions/ Téarmaí agus Coinníollacha before completing the application.

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The closing date for applications is 1 September 2025.

Applicants must demonstrate/ show evidence of:

• Excellent technical proficiency in one or more Irish traditional musical instruments.
• Experience in various Irish traditional music solo and/or ensemble performance contexts e.g. live performance, broadcast etc.
• Strong interest in education and teaching young people in the area of Irish traditional music, with evidence of same.
• Passion for community and contributing to society, particularly through Irish traditional music education.

Following the adjudication process by the Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship Committee (made up of members from MIC and the INTO), a shortlist of suitable applicants will be invited for interview following the application deadline of 1 September.

Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship

1. One scholarship will be awarded to a first-year undergraduate student enrolled on a teacher education (primary) programme (B Ed/B Ed Gaeltacht Entry Route/B Ed International/B Ed in Education and Psychology) in their year of entry to Mary Immaculate College.
2. The scholarship is a one-off bursary to the value of €4,000, jointly funded by the INTO and MIC.
3. The scholarship is for duration of the academic year in which the scholarship is awarded.

Application Form

Applicants are required to complete an online application form via the English application form, or the Irish application form, depending on the applicants preference.

The closing date for applications is 1 September 2025.

Application Procedure

To be considered for the Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship applicants:

1. Must place at least one of the following B Ed programmes as their number one choice on their CAO application: MI004/MI005/MI006/MI008

2. Are required to apply directly to MIC for the scholarship via an online application form, quoting their CAO Number.

3. Are required to provide a video recording which demonstrates their excellent technical proficiency in one or more Irish traditional musical instruments.

• The total length of the video recording should not exceed 3 minutes.
• Only one video recording per applicant can be uploaded.
• Acceptable video formats would be: .mp4 and .mov files.
• The video recording must isolate and highlight the applicant’s performance; group performances that obscure the ability to assess an individual’s level of talent will not receive evaluation.
• All files uploaded must follow the following naming convention: lastname-firstname-CAOnumber

4. Must meet the Assessment Criteria.

5. Must meet all the necessary entry requirements for their chosen programme.

6. Must accept their CAO place and fully register on their chosen programme in the same year of scholarship application.

Assessment Criteria

The following assessment criteria will apply. Applicants must demonstrate/show evidence of:

1. Excellent technical proficiency in one or more Irish traditional musical instruments. (30%)
2. Experience in various Irish traditional music solo and ensemble performance contexts e.g. live performance, broadcast etc. (30%)
3. Strong interest in education and teaching young people in the area of Irish traditional music, with evidence of same. (20%)
4. Passion for community and contributing to society, particularly through Irish traditional music education. (20%)

Adjudication Process

MIC has a dedicated Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship Committee, made up of members from MIC and the INTO, who will consider and oversee the application process.

1. The Committee will review all applications and create a shortlist of suitable applicants who will be invited for interview following the application deadline of 1 September.
2. The decision of the Committee is final. Canvassing will lead to disqualification.
3. A letter of offer will be forwarded to the successful applicant of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship following the interviews.

Responsibilities for the awardee of the Scholarship

1. The awardee is expected to act as an ambassador for MIC and the INTO in terms of their music participation and other activities as requested by the College and the INTO for the year in which they hold the scholarship.
2. The successful applicant is expected to attend and represent MIC and/or the INTO at a minimum of three promotional events in the year the scholarship is granted.
3. The awardee will be expected to attend at least one INTO event, and to contribute an article on their experience for INTO publications
4. The successful applicant must at all times adhere to MIC’s Code of Student Conduct and never engage in any activity, which may potentially bring the College and/or the INTO into disrepute. MIC and INTO jointly retain the right to withdraw the scholarship should the recipient be found to be in breach of the MIC’s Code of Student Conduct.
5. In the event that the successful applicant is unable to undertake these responsibilities in the year for which the scholarship is offered, the recipient will be required to complete all ambassadorial duties at a later date.

MIC is required to disclose to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) all funding provided by the College to students that have applied for a SUSI grant. Depending on the type of funding granted to students by the College, SUSI may include it as reckonable income in their determination of SUSI grants.

Scoláireacht Iontrála Cuimhneacháin Ashling Murphy

1. Bronnfar scoláireacht amháin ar mhac léinn fochéime sa chéad bhliain atá cláraithe ar chlár um oideachas múinteoirí (bunleibhéal) (B.Oid/B.Oid Bealach Iontrála Gaeltachta/B.Oid Idirnáisiúnta/B.Oid san Oideachas agus sa tSíceolaíocht) ina mbliain iontrála go dtí Coláiste Mhuire gan Smál.
2. Is sparánacht aonuaire í an scoláireacht le luach de €4,000, atá maoinithe ag Cumann Múinteoirí Éireann agus CMgS araon.
3. Mairfidh an scoláireacht ar feadh na bliana acadúla ina mbronntar an scoláireacht.

Foirm Iarratais

Ní mór d’iarratasóirí foirm iarratais ar líne a líonadh isteach atá le fáil anseo.

Is é 1 Meán Fómhair i mbliain an iarratais an dáta deiridh d’iarratais.

Nós Imeachta Iarratais

Chun a bheith san iomaíocht do Scoláireacht Iontrála Cuimhneacháin Ashling Murphy is gá d’iarratasóirí:

1. Ceann amháin, ar a laghad, de na cláir B.Oid seo a leanas a chur mar phríomhrogha ar a n-iarratas LOI: MI004/MI005/MI006/MI008.

2. Iarratas a dhéanamh go díreach chuig CMgS ar an scoláireacht trí fhoirm iarratais ar líne a líonadh isteach, agus a Uimhir LOI á lua ann.

3. Fístaifeadadh a chur ar fáil a thaispeánann an sár-inniúlacht theicniúil atá iontu in uirlis amháin nó níos mó i gceol traidisiúnta na hÉireann.

• Níor chóir go mbeadh fad iomlán an fhístaifeadta níos faide ná 3 nóiméad.
• Ní féidir ach fístaifeadadh amháin a chur isteach ó gach iarrthóir.
• Glactar leis na formáidí físeáin seo a leanas: .mp4 agus .mov
• Ní mór don fhístaifeadadh díriú isteach ar fheidhmíocht an iarratasóra agus é a léiriú; ní dhéanfar meastóireacht ar léirithe grúpa a chuireann leibhéal cumais an dhuine aonair faoi cheilt.
• Caithfidh gach comhad a uaslódáiltear an coinbhinsiún ainmniúcháin seo a leanas a leanúint: sloinne-céadainm-uimhirLOI

4. Na Critéir Mheasúnaithe a chomhlíonadh (féach Mír 4).

5. Na riachtanais iontrála ar fad a bhaineann lena rogha clár a chomhlíonadh.

6. Glacadh lena n-áit LOI agus clárú go hiomlán ar a rogha clár sa bhliain chéanna inar cuireadh isteach iarratas ar an scoláireacht.

Critéir Mheasúnaithe

Beidh feidhm ag na critéir mheasúnaithe seo a leanas. Ní mór d’iarratasóirí fianaise a léiriú/a thaispeáint go bhfuil na scileanna seo a leanas acu:

1. Inniúlacht theicniúil den scoth in uirlis amháin nó níos mó i gceol traidisiúnta na hÉireann. (30%)
2. Taithí i gcomhthéacsanna éagsúla sa cheol traidisiúnta – mar cheoltóir aonair nó in éineacht le ceoltóirí eile mar bhall de ghrúpa nó ensemble m.s.h cur i láthair beo, craoladh srl. (30%)
3. Suim láidir san oideachas agus i múineadh dhaoine óga i réimse cheoil thraidisiúnta na hÉireann, le fianaise air sin. (20%)
4. Paisean don bpobal agus cur leis an tsochaí, go háirithe trí oideachas ceoil traidisiúnta na hÉireann. (20%)

Próiseas Moltóireachta

Tá Coiste tiomnaithe Scoláireacht Iontrála Cuimhneacháin Ashling Murphy i bhfeidhm ag CMgS, ar a bhfuil baill ó CMgS agus ó Chumann Múinteoirí Éireann, a dhéanfaidh an próiseas iarratais a mheas agus a mhaoirsiú.

1. Déanfaidh an Coiste athbhreithniú ar gach iarratas agus cruthófar gearrliosta d’iarratasóirí oiriúnacha a dtabharfar cuireadh chun agallaimh dóibh tar éis an spriocdháta d’iarratais, 1 Meán Fómhair.
2. Is é an Coiste a déanann an cinneadh deireanach. Déanfar iarratasóir a dhícháiliú má déantar canbhasáil.
3. Cuirfear litir thairisceana ar aghaidh chuig an iarratasóir rathúil ar Scoláireacht Iontrála Cuimhneacháin Ashling Murphy tar éis na n-agallamh.

Freagrachtaí Dámhachtaí Scoláireacht Iontrála Cuimhneacháin Ashling Murphy

1. Táthar ag súil go bhfeidhmeoidh an dámhachtaí mar ambasadóir do CMgS agus do Chumann Múinteoirí Éireann i dtéarmaí a rannpháirtíocht cheoil agus gníomhaíochtaí eile de réir mar iarrann an Coláiste agus Cumann Múinteoirí Éireann orthu don bhliain ina bhfuil an scoláireacht ina seilbh acu.
2. Táthar ag súil go bhfreastalóidh an t-iarratasóir rathúil ar thrí imeacht bolscaireachta ar a laghad i rith bhliain na scoláireachta MIC agus go ndéanfaidh siad ionadaíocht ar CMgS agus/nó ar Chumann Múinteoirí Éireann ag na himeachtaí seo.
3. Beifear ag súil go bhfreastalóidh an dámhachtaí ar ócáid amháin de chuid Chumann Múinteoirí Éireann ar a laghad, agus go gcuirfidh sé/sí alt faoina dtaithí ar fáil d’fhoilseacháin Chumann Múinteoirí Éireann.
4. Ní mór don iarratasóir rathúil cloí le Cód Iompraíochta Mac Léinn CMgS i gcónaí agus gan dul i mbun gníomhaíochta ar bith a d’fhéadfadh droch-cháil a tharraingt ar an gColáiste agus/nó ar Chumann Múinteoirí Éireann. Coimeádann CMgS agus Cumann Múinteoirí Éireann ar aon an ceart an scoláireacht a tharraingt siar má fhaightear amach go bhfuil Cód Iompraíochta Mac Léinn CMgS á shárú ag an dámhachtaí.
5. Sa chás nach bhfuil an t-iarratasóir rathúil in ann tabhairt faoina freagrachtaí seo sa bhliain a ghnóthaíonn siad an scoláireacht, beidh ar an ndámhachtaí gach dualgas ambasadóra a chomhlíonadh níos déanaí.

Tá dualgas ar CMgS gach maoiniú a chuireann an Coláiste ar fáil do mhic léinn a chuir isteach ar dheontas SUSI a nochtadh do Thacaíocht Chomhchoiteann do Mhic Léinn in Éirinn (SUSI). Ag brath ar an gcineál maoinithe a chuireann an coláiste ar fáil do mhic léinn, d’fhéadfadh SUSI é a thógaint sa áireamh mar ioncam ináirithe agus cinnithe á dtógaint acu maidir le deontais SUSI.

Awarded jointly by MIC and the INTO, the 2024 Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship was awarded to award-winning traditional Irish musician, Rachel Mahony.

Rachel Mahony

Rachel, from Ennis, County Clare, is a highly accomplished, award-winning traditional Irish musician and aspiring primary school teacher. She plays concertina and piano, with numerous wins at the Fleadh Cheoil, including first place in both solo and group competitions under her belt. As a member of Crusheen Comhaltas, she has contributed to successful Grupa Cheoil and Ceilí Band performances at county, provincial, and national levels. Her dedication to preserving and sharing Irish music culture is also reflected in her involvement with both Music Generation Clare’s Irish Concertina Orchestra and Trad Orchestra. Her performance experience includes live appearances on RTE’s Ceilí House, TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta and Clare FM. As a music teacher, Rachel tutors young musicians within her own community and she is actively involved as a tutor in Consairtíntoo - Ireland’s annual concertina event. Living in a musically rich area has allowed her to learn from esteemed musicians like Tim Collins, Noel Hill, and the late Chris Droney. She is deeply committed to promoting Irish music culture and looks forward to furthering this mission in education.

For more about the Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship, click here.

Awarded jointly by MIC and the INTO, the inaugural Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship was awarded to two recipients, Róisín Ní Chonchúir and Catherine Joyce, who showed exceptional talents as traditional Irish music players.

Catherine Joyce

Catherine Joyce, from Castelbar, Co. Mayo, is a first-year Bachelor of Education student and is an accomplished harpist, singer and flautist. Growing up around a number of talented musicians and tutors, including the Kilkenny family, Grainne Hambly, Laoise Kelly and Emer Mayock, Catherine developed a love for music from a young age. Catherine has taken part and placed in various prestigious music competitions, including the Fleadh, Arpademia Celtic Harp Competition, Wesley Interschools Music Competition, Gael Linn, O’Carolan Harp Festival Nobber, as well as performing at many live music events, including on Fleadh TV, the Gig Rig at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Achill International Harp Festival, Live at Three concert in the Linenhall, the International Harp congress in Wales, and ‘Music of Mayo’ performance in Castlebar.

Róisín Ní Chonchúir

Róisín Ní Chonchúir, from Killeigh in County Offaly, is a first-year student on the Bachelor of Education in Education & Psychology programme. Róisín plays flute and fiddle and has competed in numerous Fleadhanna at county, provincial and all-Ireland levels. She has many provincial titles on both fiddle and flute. Róisín has competed as a member of Grúpaí Cheol and céilí bands up to All-Ireland level and she continues to enjoy competing in the Fleadhanna. She has played as a solo and group member on Raidió na Gaeltachta, RTÉ Radio 1 and Midlands Radio 3 and has played and danced on the gig rig at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and at many events all over the country. She led the committee that hosted the 23-hour music marathon in memory of Ashling Murphy on St. Patrick’s Day 2022 which raised over €5,000 for Offaly Domestic Violence. She is also a member of the Misneach traditional orchestra led by Ciarán Fitzgerald and they perform at various venues throughout the year. 

For more about the Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship, click here.