PRESIDENT MARY McAleese made presidential history yesterday by becoming the first holder of the office to visit Sherkin Island off west Cork.
President McAleese was the guest of honour at the conferring of awards for the Dublin Institute of Technology’s (DIT) BA in Visual Art Graduation yesterday afternoon. Speaking at Sherkin Island Community Hall yesterday President McAleese said she was “delighted” and “honoured” to join this unique graduation ceremony for students of the BA Visual Arts programme.
“We gather on this one day knowing that it is the culmination of over 10 years of careful planning and pilot projects and that it marks something quite remarkable and wonderful – the successful delivery of a fully accredited degree programme on an island. There is blood, sweat and tears embedded in this day and I warmly congratulate all those whose determination turned an ambitious idea into a successful reality.”
Organisers say the support of President McAleese is hugely significant to this third-level arts education programme and marks a major step forward in recognising the significance of this arts and cultural resource for the west Cork region.
The programme brings professional artists to the area and creates opportunities for students, other artists, communities and arts groups.
The seven final-year students from the BA in Visual Art Programme were awarded with their degrees by Dr Frank McMahon, director of academic affairs, DIT.
The event was also attended by various local community and governmental representatives as well as family, friends and members of the wider community. Brid Grant, director and dean of the College of Arts and Tourism, DIT was also present.
The graduating students were Lorraine Bacchus, Monica Boyle, Rebecca Keyser, Veronika O’Driscoll, Catherine Ryan, Peggy Townend and Alison Trim.
A musical celebration of the graduation took place on Sunday when the Conservatory of Music, DIT joined the students and the community for a traditional music session in the Jolly Roger. This was followed by a recital by internationally acclaimed classical guitarist John Feeley in the Islanders Rest.