Coolock Student awarded Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary
The Labour Party is delighted to announce that Aaron Mills, of Coolock, Dublin is the recipient of the 2017 Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary which was first awarded in 2016 as part of the Labour Party’s centenary commemoration of the 1916 Rising.
Aaron Mills who completed his Leaving Certificate at the top if his class in St. David’s Artane is now a first year science student in Trinity College Dublin.
The Labour Party’s Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary is named in memory of the leader of the Labour Group on Dublin Corporation who was killed in the 1916 Easter Rising, Councillor Richard O’Carroll.
The presentation was made to Aaron, at his home on Tuesday 14th November by Bernie Griffiths, member of the O’Carroll family, in the presence of local Senator Aodhan O’Riordáin, Brian McDowell General Secretary of the Labour Party, and local councillors Alison Gilliland and Brian McDonagh.
Speaking at the cheque presentation at the Mills family home, Bernie Griffiths and Dick O’Carroll, grandchildren of Richard O’Carroll said, “The O’Carroll family is delighted and proud to see the Richard O’ Carroll Empowerment Bursary continue and awarded to such a deserving student as Aaron and we wish him every success in his chosen course of study.
In line with a proclamation that wasn’t yet written, Richard O’ Carroll was a man who cherished children and worked across a number of fronts to ensure childhood was protected, that marginalised children would have access to a home, decent standards of living and access to education. In our grandfather’s name we say to Aaron, you have chosen a path of study with potential to do great good. Hold on to the passion that motivated you thus far and in your future success, always remember your roots with pride and do some good.”
Spokesperson on Education and Skills Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said, “It was important for us not just to commemorate the dead, but to empower the young people of today. We are delighted to help Aaron through his college years in the name of Richard O’Carroll”.
Background
Councillor Richard O’Carroll was a Labour Councillor on Dublin Corporation and an official of the Brick and Stonelayers Trade Union. Richard was shot by a British officer on Camden Street on the 26th of April 1916. Despite being rescued by a passing bread van and brought to hospital, Richard died nine days later in Portobello Military Hospital, leaving behind his widow, Annie, and seven children.
In agreement with Richard O’Carroll’s family, the Labour Party has chosen to commemorate the life and legacy of Cllr O’Carroll by assisting young people in continuing their education. Education is the great liberator. It is, and always has been, a key priority of the Labour Party over the past 103 years. Throughout his activist years, O’Carroll believed passionately in empowering young people through education and we hope that the Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary will assist young people in further or higher education.
The Bursary of €2000 is awarded to the successful candidate under the following criteria:
- Attended a Deis School
- Completed the Leaving Cert within the past three years
- Currently in further or higher education
- Completes the online application outlining what the Bursary would mean to them, how they will pay forward the benefit to their old school and community and outlines what the 1916 Proclamation means to them personally.
Photo link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/labourparty/38415821871/
Pictured at their home on Clonshaugh Avenue, Coolock (left to right):
Simon Mills (father), Cllr. Allison Gilliland; Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin; Bernie Griffith (grand-daughter of Richard O’Carroll); Cllr. Brían McDonagh; Aaron Mills (winner); Dick O’Carroll (grandson of Richard O’Carroll); Brian McDowell General Secretary of the Labour Party & Fiona Mills (mother).