The Eileen O'Mara Walsh Scholarship
The Eileen O’Mara Walsh Scholarship Programme celebrates the life and achievements of Dr. Eileen O’Mara Walsh. Eileen’s family, in conjunction with Dublinia, a not-for-profit organisation celebrating it's 30th anniversary in 2024, wish to mark her contribution to the Tourism industry by supporting future generations.
Eileen O’Mara Walsh was a prominent figure in the Irish tourism industry for nearly four decades. She was the first woman to chair the board of a commercial State company, Great Southern Hotels, the founder and first chairwoman of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, and chairwoman of Forbairt, now Enterprise Ireland, for five years. Her many other roles included director of Aer Lingus, chairwoman of Opera Ireland, governor of St Patrick’s Hospital, a trustee of the Medieval Trust and Dublinia, and a member of the International Women’s Forum.
In 2006 she received an honorary doctorate from Dublin Institute of Technology for her contribution to the Irish tourism industry.
Qualifying Programmes
The Scholarship will support one student on one of the following 1-year Masters’ in Tourism Management programmes:
- TU329 MSc Tourism Management (January start / 1 year full-time)
- TU372 MSc Tourism Management (January start / 2 years part-time)
- TU328 MSc Tourism Management (September start / 1 year full-time)
- TU371 MSc Tourism Management (September start / 2 years part-time)
Application Process & Criteria
Applicants must be accepted into one of the listed courses, and subject to commencing their place on the course, they will receive the award. Failure to enroll disqualifies the student from receiving the scholarship, which triggers the application process for a new Eileen O’Mara Walsh scholar.
Applications are to be submitted for the scholarship, along with a brief personal statement (300 words). Shortlisted applicants will be asked to take part in a short interview. A shortlist of students will be selected for consideration and will be awarded based on a number of set criteria. The successful scholar
Timings
- 15th December - Applications close
- 17th January - Interviews to be conducted
Selection
The interview panel will include TU Dublin Academic leaders in Tourism, a representative from Dublinia, and a member of the O’Mara Walsh Family if desired.
Value
Scholarships are valued at €4,000 and will be paid in full to the students by bank transfer from TU Dublin Foundation.
Ongoing Scholarships
If the successful recipient fails to achieve the required academic results or ceases to participate in the course, they will no longer receive the scholarship and a new application process will commence.
Publicity and reporting
Scholars may be required to take part in PR activity and to support TU Dublin Foundation in their communication with the donor. This includes (but not limited to) being available for photographs, writing a report and allowing the use of your photograph and story to promote the scholarship programme.