'Inspiring' Limerick students celebrate graduations

THERE were plenty of inspiring stories told at this years conferring ceremonies at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s (ETB) College of Further Education and Training (FET).

Friends and family of this year’s graduates gathered at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa on the outskirts of Limerick city to celebrate the achievements of those being conferred and there was certainly lots to celebrate.

Patricia Reynolds is a single mum of three who recently graduated from Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Kilmallock Road Campus and is a great example to anyone worried about trying to balance learning with a busy home and work life.

Originally from Botswana, Patricia's mum is from South Africa and her dad is from Mayo. After living in London for ten years Patricia decided to move to Ireland and she’s been here for three years.

Alumni return to UL to recognise new social history book

Mum to three children aged 21, eight and seven, Patricia was also juggling two jobs when she decided to take on a course in Healthcare at the Kilmallock Road campus.

Making time for learning with such a busy schedule was always going to be a challenge but according to Patricia the team there was brilliant at helping her navigate her timetable to help with her hectic schedule.

They also assisted when she needed experience working with people with intellectual disabilities.

“The team at the campus were fantastic. Once they realised I needed more experience they were able to put me in touch with their contacts at St Joseph's Hospital in Limerick. I was able to do volunteering work there, which really helped with my course,” she said.

Patricia is now doing a Masters in Sligo and working in healthcare and is grateful to all the team at the campus for their support.

Fiachra McKeown, who studied sports, recreation and exercise and Anna Piterina from Kazakhstan were also among graduates on the day.