2014 Press Releases
UCC welcomes Ireland’s newest citizens
UCC hosted three moving citizenship ceremonies recently (Monday 24 November 2014) during which a total of 845 candidates from 88 different countries became Irish citizens.
It is the first time that such an event has been held at UCC and the ceremonies bring the total number of ceremonies held in Ireland to 99 and the total number of persons who have attended a citizenship ceremony to over 57,000. Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, and Presiding Officer, The Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan McMahon officiated at the ceremonies, organised by the Department of Justice & Equality.
Professor John O’Halloran, Vice-President for Teaching & Learning hosted the event. Professor O’Halloran is also Director of the Quercus Talented Students’ Programme, a new scholarship scheme that awards entrance scholarship packages to students with strong track records for active citizenship via contributions to Irish society and civic life.
Four such awards were made in 2014/15. These four Quercus talented students were centrally involved in the day’s events, from greeting and welcoming Minister Fitzgerald to introducing the citizenship ceremonies. A number of other UCC students from the Department of Government and the Faculty of Law volunteered to act as stewards and ambassadors for the day, and the UCC students include amongst their number a naturalised Irish citizen.
@UCC Reading in @CorkEveningEcho about citizenship ceremonies taking place on campus. It will be a great day and history will be made!
— Lucy O'Donoghue (@LucyODonoghue)
November 10, 2014
Professor O’Halloran, who was also Deputy President on the day of the event, commented: “UCC prides itself on being a multicultural, outward-looking university, and is honoured to be hosting this very special event."
Each ceremony commenced with a short concert performed by the Army No.1 Band.
For information on the Quercus Talented Students’ Programme, see http://www.ucc.ie/en/quercus/
Excited about celebrating citizenship @UCC tomorrow http://t.co/FibPEgpQdF Quercus Active Citizenship Scholars to welcome our new citizens.
— johalloran (@johbees)
November 23, 2014
What a day @UCC - welcome to Ireland's newest citizens! More pics: http://t.co/v2HhHJ3PHj @DeptJusticeIRL @johbees pic.twitter.com/Z80KdUvWL7
— UCC Ireland (@UCC)
November 25, 2014
Nice to see the @DeptJusticeIRL Citizenship event @UCC make front page via @irishexaminer @mcsnapper pic.twitter.com/OIdpSV4xlX" #quercus
— Tom McCarthy (@PressTMC)
November 24, 2014