2012 Class

	Annita Brady National University of Ireland Galway Postgraduate Diploma in Education Annita is a final-year student at National University of Ireland Galway. Last year, she received a M.A. in Military History and Strategic Studies in NUI Maynooth, central to her thesis research was the impact on and role of women during the ‘Troubles.’ During her four years in Maynooth, Annita played an active role in The Friends of Raphael’s Society as Chairperson for two years. She currently volunteers with the Galway Traveller Movement assisting with homework clubs.
	Jessica Caldwell Queen’s University Belfast Law and Politics Jessica is a final-year Law with Politics student at Queen’s University Belfast. She has been an active and committed member of Queen’s Radio during her time at university both as a presenter and as their Events Co-ordinator. Jessica recently ran in the student officer elections for the post of VP Campaigns and Communications. She has previously interned with the BBC at Radio Foyle.
	John Campion National University of Ireland Galway Medicine John is a third-year student currently on clinical placement in Montpellier, France. At NUI Galway, John has instigated a special study module in Applied Adolescent Mental Health Promotion. He is Founding President of NUIG Friends of Médecins Sans Frontières and last year participated in the Rotaract Italy Roundtrip for Cultural Understanding. He has undertaken studies in French, Italian, Irish Sign Language, Arabic and Gaeilge, in which he holds a diploma from NUIG. John is a Kyu 1 in Shotokan Karate and hopes to begin training for his black belt when he returns to Ireland.
	Sheila Cassidy Queen’s University Belfast MSc in Management Sheila is currently studying a Master’s in Management having completed her undergraduate degree in Law at Queen’s University Belfast. Sheila is an active member of SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) and was recently won a Belfast City Council business challenge that raised £2500 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is a member of the student council and is currently chairing a body of students who are organizing a charity calendar in aid of suicide prevention, in association with Queen’s Students’ Union
	Benjamin Clarke University of Liverpool Philosophy and Politics Benjamin is a third-year Politics and Philosophy student from Belfast, and studies at University of Liverpool. He is an accredited Victim Support volunteer and has worked with victims of crime in Liverpool for two years. Benjamin is currently setting up a cross-community youth project in Belfast with the charity “Hope for Youth”. He writes a blog that focuses on British and Northern Irish politics and enjoys creating digital art. He also loves travelling and different cultures, and has backpacked in India and Thailand.
	Michaela Crawley University of Liverpool History and Irish Studies Michaela is a third-year History and Irish Studies student at the University of Liverpool. She is Editor of two Departmental Newsletters and Vice President and founding member of the University’s Irish Studies Society. Michaela mentors first-year students and acts as a student representative on Liverpool’s Student-Staff Liaison Committee. She recently won the Margaret Bryce-Smith Scholarship for academic excellence and plays camogie for the university team. Michaela volunteers with Irish Community Care Merseyside and is a liturgical reader in her local Church.
	Christopher Day (read Chris’ blog here) University College Dublin General Nursing Christopher is a third-year General Nursing student at University College Dublin. He is a past Auditor of The UCD Nursing Society and an active class representative in the Students Union. During his first year at university he was involved with UCD Volunteers Overseas and travelled to Delhi, India to assist with education and construction projects. He enjoys athletics and is a member of the Reserve Defence Forces and Seapoint Rugby Club. He currently lives on campus as a Residential Assistant.
	Conall Devlin University College Dublin Business and Law Conall is a second-year Business and Law student at UCD. He is interested in Journalism and is Sports Co-Editor in the UCD College Tribune. He was Head Boy in Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School and was a founding member on the Northern Ireland Youth Panel that constructed a Northern Ireland Youth Assembly. He has participated in the Ulster Project and worked with Friends of Africa as a short term volunteer in Tanzania. He plays Gaelic Football for UCD and Bredagh GAC.
	Rebecca Dwyer University College Dublin Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering Rebecca is a second-year Engineering student at University College Dublin. She was elected as a class representative and currently sits on the UCD Engineering Program Board and Staff Student Committee. As elected Deputy Head Girl, Rebecca took an active leadership role in school activities with a particular focus on fundraising for her chosen school charity, The Children’s Sunshine Home, Ireland’s first children’s hospice. Rebecca enjoys all types of sport, is a keen musician and teaches piano and keyboard part-time to beginner and intermediate level students to help fund her many extracurricular interests and activities.
	Jonathan Elliott Queen’s University Belfast Public Health Jonny is a postgraduate student at Queen’s University Belfast and is currently pursuing an MSc in Public Health, having already graduated with a Geography degree from the same institution. Jonny is passionate about social justice issues, in particular bringing an end to human trafficking. This was fueled by a recent trip to Cambodia where he volunteered with charities working on the frontlines. He has a strong commitment to service, is actively involved in his local church, volunteering with a Tearfund and International Justice Mission and co-founding an anti-trafficking collective in Belfast. Jonny is a keen sportsman and plays for Grosvenor Rugby Club. He hopes to have a career in International Public Health.
	Ben English (read Ben’s blog here) University College Cork Government Ben English is a second-year student of BSc Government in University College Cork. Ben’s main passion lies in youth participation and he has served as a youth advisor to Ombudsman for Children. An alumnus of the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition, Ben is actively involved in college life and is Chair of the Government and Politics Society. He is incoming Chair of UCC’s Entrepreneurial and Social Society, Ireland’s largest college society. In 2009 Ben represented Ireland in Vermont, at the Governor’s Institute for Leadership and Youth Activism.
	Aisling Fitzgerald Dublin City University Economics, Politics, and Law Aisling is a fourth-year law student at Dublin City University. She is active in student politics, and was elected Equality Officer on the Students Union Executive Committee for the term of 2009/10. She spent a year abroad in the University of Gothenburg, Sweden where she studied International Conflict Resolution. Aisling is involved in the ‘DCU in The Community’ project, and tutors Leaving Certificate students in Ballymun Comprehensive School. She is a trainee volunteer mediator in North Dublin, and assists with the resolution of civil community disputes.
	Seán Gill Trinity College Dublin Mathematics & Economics Seán is a third-year Mathematics & Economics student in Trinity College. He is a co-founder and coordinator of Ireland’s first undergraduate economics forum, The Trinity Economic Forum, which was held in February 2012 and saw students from across all the Universities in Ireland, come together to discuss, debate and partake in shaping the future of the Irish & Northern Irish economies. He is the Treasurer of Trinity’s Committee responsible for all student societies. He enjoys reading, swimming and is a member of the drama society in College.
	Ruth Herlihy University College Cork Law Ruth is a second-year law international student at University College Cork. She is an active member of UCC’s largest society the “Entrepreneurial and Social Society”. She also takes part in programs run by Suas including a mentoring program to help improve the literacy levels of second level students and last summer volunteered with Suas in India teaching for three months. Ruth will be attending Brooklyn Law School next year as part of her course. Ruth fostered an interest in debating in secondary school and continued this interest by taking part in the moot court competition run by UCC’s law society.
	Victoria Kiely (read Victoria’s blog here) University of Limerick History, Politics, Sociology and Social Studies Victoria is a final-year History and Politics student at the University of Limerick. A past patient of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, she is an active fundraiser for the hospital and the Irish Cancer Society. To date, Victoria has raised in excess of €6,500 for Crumlin children’s hospital through the events she has organized, both at the University of Limerick and in her local community of Tramore, County Waterford. Victoria is dedicated to improving the lives of sick children in Ireland and the building of a new national children’s hospital, which she believes will bring Irish children’s healthcare services into the twenty-first century.
	Maria Kinsella Dublin City University Accounting & Finance Maria is a final-year Accounting and Finance student in Dublin City University. She is heavily involved in Ladies Gaelic Football at club, county and college level. Maria was Treasurer of the DCU Ladies G.A.A Club for the past two years and is currently Secretary of the Club Life Committee in DCU that governs University funding of all sports clubs on campus. Maria volunteers to coach juvenile teams in her local club. She is also a tutor in The Voluntary Maths Tuition Programme held in conjunction with DCU and The Trinity Comprehensive School Ballymun.
	Louise Mackey University of Limerick Law and Accounting Louise is a fourth-year Law and Accounting student at the University of Limerick. In 2011 Louise completed an eight month internship in the tax department of Matheson Ormsby Prentice whilst this year has completed a thesis on the efficacy of Contingent Convertible bonds as a regulatory tool in global banking. Louise is actively involved in several charitable organizations including the Special Olympics, the Fate and Light movement, St Vincent de Paul and Trocaire. Louise is also a recipient of an All Ireland Scholarship.
	Ben Mallon Queen’s University Belfast MA in Politics Ben is currently completing a Master’s in Politics at Queens University Belfast. He has been involved in youth participation and democracy for a number of years and is currently Chairman of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum and a Trustee of the British Youth Council. Ben has a particular interest in the Commonwealth, and the important role it should play in peace and reconciliation. Ben is the Commonwealth Youth Representative for the United Kingdom and he is also an active member of the Democratic Unionist Party.
	Kirsty McClay Queen’s University Belfast Law & Politics Kirsty is a second-year Law with Politics student at Queen’s University Belfast. She is currently a volunteer for the Spirit of Enniskillen Trust and Vice- Chairperson of Future Voices; a youth led organization that is part of the SOE Trust. Kirsty has previously done work experience with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and shadowed DUP MLA Trevor Clark. Kirsty has a keen interest in horse riding and volunteers for an equine sanctuary.
	Lewis Mooney (read Lewis’ blog here) Trinity College Dublin (currently studying in France) Law and Political Science Lewis is a third-year Law and Political Science student at Trinity College Dublin. He is currently studying on an Erasmus at IEP Sciences Po Paris, where he is a class representative. With School Aid Romania, Lewis leads a team of cross-community pupils to Romania on an annual basis and he also serves as Secretary of his university’s Amnesty International group. He is involved with the Ards Swimming Club where has worked as the club’s Public Relations Officer. Lewis has a growing interest in Northern Ireland politics and conflict resolution.
	Sarah Mulcahy Trinity College Dublin History and Political Science Sarah is a fourth-year student, studying History and Political Science at Trinity College Dublin. She is chairperson of a cultural center in college called The Parlour, which has received formal recognition from Mental Health Ireland and Headstrong for its innovative approach to mental health. Sarah was a core strategist on the TellUsWhy nonprofit campaign during the Irish presidential election and has recently established Dialogues, a discussion forum in Trinity that focuses on global events and current affairs. Sarah volunteers with Bridge21 and spent last summer in Kolkata India, working in Loreto Day School, Sealdah.
	Philip Murray Queen’s University Belfast Psychology Philip is a third-year Psychology student at Queen’s University Belfast. He is President of Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), developing projects to create more environmental, social and sustainable communities both locally and internationally through the positive power of business. Philip is the Enterprise and Volunteer Intern within the Students’ Union, enhancing student employability through enterprise activities, volunteering and social enterprises. He is a dedicated volunteer for children with special needs.
	Philip O’Callaghan (read Philip’s blog here) National University of Ireland Maynooth Education Philip is a Postgraduate student at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth where he is completing his Professional Diploma in Education. For this course Philip teaches Music and Geography in a Post Primary School. Philip is an active member of the Fine Gael Party where he is a local Branch Chair and the Constituency Youth Officer. He is also Director of Fingal Volunteer Center and on the Board of Management in a local Educate Together Primary School.
	Eoin O’Liathain Trinity College Dublin English Studies Eoin is an English Studies student at Trinity College Dublin. Throughout his time in college he has been heavily involved in the University Philosophical Society, Trinity’s oldest and largest society. He was previously the secretary, organizing the weekly debates for the year, while he is just about to finish his term as president, having organized guest speakers such as Sir Christopher Lee, Courtney Love and US Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. He is involved in the St Vincent De Paul and Amnesty, and enjoys playing Gaelic football and running.
	Leanne Peacock University of Ulster at Magee Irish History and Politics Leanne is a second-year student of Irish history and Politics at the University of Ulster’s Magee Campus, Derry. She is an active member of Sinn Féin and is the chairperson of her local branch in Rasharkin, Co. Antrim. She was a candidate in the recent council election in the Bann Valley electoral area although narrowly missed out on a seat. Leanne regularly volunteers to assist in the local Sinn Fein constituency office assisting constituents with any issues they may have. In addition to this Leanne is also the chairperson of her local Residents Association playing an active role in her community and village life.
	Fintan Phelan Dublin City University Economics, Politics and Law Fintan is a third-year Economics, Politics and Law student at Dublin City University (DCU). He is an active member of the Community Games and Fianna Fáil. He held the position of Secretary in Askea Community Games, Carlow Fianna Fáil and DCU Ógra Fianna Fáil. Fintan has a passion for development issues and in 2008 he lobbied MEPs in Brussels on the Millennium Development Goals. This passion also prompted Fintan to volunteer with Suas in the summer of 2011 in Kenya. Fintan is studying in Sciences Po, Paris on an Erasmus year. Fintan’s interests include Athletics and Gaelic football. He is a member of St. Laurence O’Toole’s Athletic Club and Éire Óg Gaelic football club.
	Ben Quinn (read Ben’s blog here) Queen’s University Belfast MSc Management Ben is pursuing a Master’s in Management at Queen’s University Management School. He is also a graduate of University College, Dublin. He participates in voluntary work for the Belfast Health Trust and is involved in a wide variety of projects including numeracy and literacy initiatives within Greater Belfast. He is a coach of GAA at his local club and enjoys outdoor activities such as biking and hiking.
	Ciaran Roddy University of Ulster, Magee Law Ciaran is a final year law student at University of Ulster, Magee Campus. He currently holds the position of First Team Coach of the Men’s Northern Ireland Universities’ soccer team that will compete at the BUCS 2012 Home Nations Tournament. In addition, he conducts statistical performance analysis for various League of Ireland clubs. Ciaran is a Student Brand Manager for Red Bull. He has recently been provisionally accepted into the barrister course at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in Belfast for the 2012/13 academic year.
	Olwen Sheedy Dublin City University Business Studies Olwen is a final-year Business Studies student at Dublin City University. Last year, she completed a twelve-month internship in Boston with The American Ireland Fund. Olwen has a keen interest in Irish music and dance. She plays the tin whistle, the flute and the bodhrán and is currently Public Relations Officer with her local Comhaltas branch. Olwen is an active member of Malahide Golf Club. Olwen is also a member of the DCU Student Alumni Initiative, set up to allow students to become more involved with the Alumni Association.
	Wilmé Verwoerd Trinity College Dublin Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology Wilmé is a third-year student at Trinity College Dublin studying Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Sociology. Wilmé comes from a South African background with a long family history in politics. She is an active member of Amnesty International in TCD having recently completed training to become a school speaker for the organization. Wilmé has a passion for volunteering, particularly with children both in Africa and Ireland. She has volunteered with UNICEF Ireland and various other charities. She is currently involved with CHI- Children in Hospitals Ireland as a weekly “play well volunteer” in children’s wards. Wilmé plays hockey and enjoys running.