City of Dublin ETB Celebrates Success at National ETBWEEK Event 

City of Dublin ETB recently joined 15 other ETBs from around the country at a national event in Thomond Park, Limerick to celebrate #ETBWEEK, 

#ETBWEEK 2024 is a week long series of events that took place at local, national and international level from the 11th-15th of March to celebrate Ireland's 16 Education and Training Boards and the services they provide to learners across primary, secondary and further education and training in Ireland. 

#ETBWEEK activities 

City of Dublin ETB took the opportunity during #ETBWEEK to celebrate our core values of excellence, care, equality, community and respect to highlight the fantastic work carried out by the schools, colleges, centres and services. From afternoon tea and cupcakes to table quizzes and open days - numerous fun activities were held across the various centres. 

The #ETBWEEK event in Thomond Park was hosted by RTÉ newsreader and former City of Dublin ETB student, Ray Kennedy, where a variety of awards were presented on the day including the ETB Bursaries and ETB Alumni Awards. 

ETB Bursaries

A panel of experts awarded bursaries to exceptional current ETB learners to support their future study, entrepreneurship, or community activism. Each bursary includes €5,000+ and professional support in the areas of  Technology & AI, Green Innovation, Media & Communications, and Irish Language. Runners up were awarded €500. 

Colin Reddin, a City of Dublin ETB FET College Colaiste Dhulaigh animation student was delighted to jointly win the ETB Media & Communications Bursary Award (sponsored by Hopkins Communications).    

_{From left to right: Pictured at the ETBWEEK national event in Thomond Park, Limerick are RTE journalist Ray Kennedy, Judy Hopkins from Hopkins Communications and joint ETB Media and Communications Bursary winners Colin Reddin from Colaiste DhulaighCity of Dublin FET College and Shauna O’Keefe & David Peskett from Castleisland Community College.}

An aspiring animator and 2D rigging artist, Colin recently made the short film 'Lab Mouse’, which has been nominated for official selection in Animation Dingle 2024. Commenting on his award, he said:  

“This recognition means the world to me. I would like to thank ETBI for investing in my future and for such tremendous validation of my hard work and dedication. I’m very excited to see what opportunities this bursary will bring as I continue to strive towards a career in animation.” 

ETB Alumni 2024

Each ETB was invited to nominate a former ETB learner they wish to honour at the national event who has achieved excellence in their chosen field or made an outstanding contribution to their local community. 

City of Dublin FET College Rathmines alumni Barry Walsh was thrilled to receive the ETBI Alumni Honouring Excellence Award at the event. 

_{From left to right: Pictured at the ETBWEEK national event in Thomond Park, Limerick are City of Dublin ETB Director of OSD Kay Cullinan, City of Dublin Honoured Alumni Barry Walsh, City of Dublin ETB Chief Executive Christy Duffy, and City of Dublin ETB Director of Schools Wesleigh O’Hagan.}

A dyslexia and dyspraxia champion and One Young World Ambassador 2023, Barry’s experience in the workforce led him to set up his own company, focusondiversity.ie - a platform to promote companies, people and programmes who are proactive in diversity and inclusion. Barry said: 

"I wouldn't be where I am today without Rathmines College of Further Education and the learning I gained there. To be nominated for this ETBI Alumni award for the work that I'm doing in diversity and inclusion is one of the highlights of my career." 

ETBWEEK  - a fantastic initiative for all ETBs

Commenting on ETBWEEK, Christy Duffy, City of Dublin ETB Chief Executive said: “I would like to congratulate our talented animation student Colin Reddin on his remarkable achievement in jointly winning the ETB Media & Communications Bursary Award. I also offer my congratulations to our City of Dublin ETB honoured alumni Barry Walsh whose contributions and commitment to diversity and inclusion serve as an inspiration to us all.”

_{From left to right: Pictured at the ETBWEEK national event in Thomond Park, Limerick are City of Dublin ETB Head of Communications Emma Parkin, City of Dublin ETB Head of Corporate Services Aishling Lennon, City of Dublin ETB Director of OSD Kay Cullinan, City of Dublin Honoured Alumni Barry Walsh, City of Dublin ETB Director of Schools Wesleigh O’Hagan, City of Dublin Chief Executive Christy Duffy, and City of Dublin ETB Bursary award winner Colin Reddin.}

The ETBWEEK event also announced the winners of the ETBWEEK Carpool Karaoke competition. ETBs were invited to enter a competition to record their ‘carpool karaoke’ version of the song 'A Place to Learn', written and recorded by ETB staff and learners The Tullamore Prodigies. Have a listen to the song which is available on Spotify here.