Connemara West welcomed Aquinas College back to Tullycross village last night at a flag raising ceremony to mark the start of the college’s 2020 Ireland Programme. This is the 47th year that Aquinas College has brought students and faculty to Tullycross for a semester-long study abroad programme, beginning in January each year.
This year, 12 students, faculty member Professor Jennifer Dawson and administrator Ramil Collier arrived in Tullycross on January 14th. For the first time ever, the students are not staying in Connemara West’s 9 thatched cottages in Tullycross as they are closed pending renovation. Connemara West was awarded €1.728 million from the government’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to create a Global Learning & Digital Hub in Tullycross village, and the renovation of the cottages are part of that Hub. Connemara West expects to commence the renovations early in 2020.
Commenting on the arrival of Aquinas College, Dr. Kevin Heanue, Chairman of Connemara West said that “we are extremely thankful that Jennifer, Ramil and the students took the brave step of coming to Tullycross this year although their usual accommodation was not available”. He continued, “this demonstrates the depth of commitment of the college to this unique 47 year old partnership and I know the local community here will do all that they can to make their visit enjoyable”.