Moyle Park students are honoured with bursaries

MOYLE Park College presented the 2026 edition of the Paul Caffrey and Marist Bursary Awards on November 6, with a grand total of €11,250 awarded on the night.

Celebrating the long list of student achievements, pupils past and present addressed the crowd on the night and recognised each and every accomplishment. Two students, Catalin Baiasan and Gabriel Rad, both completed their Leaving Certificate exams in Moyle Park this year and were the recipients of the 2026 Paul Caffrey Bursaries.

Catalin, who is studying Theoretical Physics at Trinity College, achieved the maximum 625 points in his Leaving Certificate and reached the top of his class.

He received a cheque for €5,000 on the night and will receive the same amount each year over the course of his four-year degree, up to the value of €20,000. Gabriel Rad is studying Commerce at UCD, having scored an incredible 613 points in his Leaving Certificate and placing second in the year group.

He received a cheque for €2,500 on the night, and he will receive the same amount over the next 4 years up to the value of €10,000. Physics Teacher Ms Tracy Doyle and Economics Teacher, Ms Hodgkiss, commended the recipients on their work ethic, dedication and their wonderful commitment to their studies, setting an example to other students.

Former Year Head, Ms Rock highlighted their diligence, initiative and drive for success, while also contributing to school life as student leaders. Principal Ms Cahalane explained that since the bursary’s establishment in 2021, 17 students have been awarded, with some going on to study Law, Aeronautical Engineering, Radiography, Architecture, Theoretical Physics and Journalism.

Others enrolled in courses such as Commerce International with French, Environmental Chemistry, and Global Business, with two having studied Pharmacy.

An anonymous donor and past pupil of the school founded the Paul Caffrey Bursary in 2021 in honour of his time in the college, graciously donating back to the students to support Leaving Cert students’ future college education. The Bursary itself is named after Paul Caffrey, son of Mary, who died in his early twenties.

Paul was heavily involved in the local Clondalkin Rugby Club and represented the club as both a player and a coach. Thursday night also saw the presentation of the Marist Bursary Awards, which was inaugurated by Moyle Park College’s Board of Management in October 2007.

The award was set up to recognise the contribution that the Marist Brothers have made to education in Clondalkin and the surrounding areas since 1957 and is awarded to students who epitomise the Marist values nurtured in the school.

This year’s recipients were Raymond Philip, who is studying Law at TUS Athlone, Kevin Vuong, who is studying Maths and Computers at Maynooth University, and Jafar Alam, who is pursuing a career in nursing. Brother Nicholas presented a cheque for €1000 to each of the recipients, which will be used to support their further education.

The top two Junior Cycle students, Aaron Rooney and Conor Carey, were also acknowledged at the ceremony, with Deputy Principals Mr Connolly and Ms Kilcoyne presenting them with their achievements.

The top Junior Cycle Award of €500 was presented to Aaron, while a cheque for €250 was presented to Conor, who came runner-up in the exams.

Both students are involved in student leadership and have excelled in all aspects of the curriculum. Ms Cahalane wished the students well in their future careers and expressed hope that the recipients will “continue to inspire the next generation of Moyle Park College students”.

She also expressed hope that the friendships forged at Moyle Park College will be sustained long after the students pass through the gates.