Mystery donor sponsors €40k bursary for two Clondalkin students

A BURSARY sponsored by a mystery donor saw €40,000 donated towards two students in Clondalkin. On Tuesday, Moyle Park College awarded the Paul Caffrey Bursary for the fourth year running.

The bursary is sponsored by a past pupil of the college who wishes to remain anonymous, and was established to acknowledge the education and support he received during his time in Moyle Park. Two sixth-year students are chosen each year and receive €20,000 each towards their university fees and other educational expenses.

The bursary is named after Paul Caffrey, a past pupil of the school who died in his early twenties. Paul was a student in Moyle Park College until 1998. He went on to join An Garda Síochána and also played and coached rugby with the local Clondalkin Rugby Club.

The school were delighted to have Paul’s mother, Mary Caffrey, there to present the awards on the night. Recipients of the 2023 bursaries are James Casey and Dara Rafter.

James achieved 625 points in his Leaving Certificate and has gone on to study Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology in UCD. Dara, the second of the Rafter brothers to receive the award, has gone on to pursue a career in Business and French in DCU. His brother Ben, a 2021 recipient is currently studying Pharmacy in Trinity College.

The Marist Bursaries were also presented on the night. The Marist Brothers’ Award was inaugurated by the Board of Management of Moyle Park College at the launch of the Golden Jubilee celebrations in October 2007.

The award has been set up to recognise the contribution that the Marist Brothers have made to education in Clondalkin and the surrounding areas since 1957.

Recipients of the Marist Bursaries 2023 were Ben Casey and Evan Greaney. Ben is currently studying Sport Science & Health, while Evan is studying Engineering in TUD.

The bursaries were presented on the night by Brother Nicholas. Ms Cahalane, Principal of Moyle Park College, said: These fine young men have excelled academically and have, like so many others, shown incredible resilience over the past five years.

We wish them well in their studies and hope that the values we share as a Marist school community will travel with them through life.”