Kilkenny woman wins Student of the Year at Carlow College Graduation

Windgap resident Roisin Browne was named Student of the Year at the Carlow College, St Patrick’s conferring ceremony on Friday.

She was graduating from the BA (Hons) in English & History with First-Class honours, but was also honoured with the prestigious James Fintan Lalor Student of the Year Award awarded for outstanding academic achievement and contribution to college life.

Carlow College, St Patrick’s conferred 139 students at its annual graduation ceremony in the historic Carlow Cathedral. The event marked a proud moment for the college community, as students from across all undergraduate programmes received their degrees in front of family, friends, faculty, and invited guests.

Roisin was over the moon to receive the award. TAP HERE FOR MORE KILKENNY SCHOOLS NEWS

“There’s a real sense of community in the college itself, it doesn’t feel like there’s a huge disparity between students and lecturers," she said. "It’s provided me with the necessary skills and confidence to pursue a level 9 masters."

Castlecomer's Kelly Coogan was one of the first graduating class from the BA (Hons) in Psychology, a PSI-accredited programme launched in 2022

Roisin is currently a MA student at UCD, studying Archives & Records Management. In addition to Roisin, 12 students from Kilkenny graduated including Daragh Ó Faoláin, from Kilkenny City, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Arts and Humanities. Daragh was also recognised for the best final-year dissertation in the Arts and Humanities, receiving the Rev Dr John Cummins Interdisciplinary Prize. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Philosophy at UCD.

This year’s ceremony was particularly significant as it celebrated the first graduating class from the BA (Hons) in Psychology, a PSI-accredited programme launched in 2022. Castlecomer resident, Kelly Coogan, was among the 23 pioneering students from this cohort who have completed a rigorous academic journey and are now equipped to pursue further study or careers in psychology and related fields.

The event was presided over by Fr Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh, College President and Bishop Denis Nulty, Chair of the Governing Body was also in attendance.

Daragh Ó Faoláin, from Kilkenny City, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Arts and Humanities, with Fr Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh

Dr Margaret Murphy, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar, congratulated the graduates: “The Class of 2025 represents the heart of Carlow College’s mission — to foster critical thinking, compassion, and a commitment to social justice. We are especially proud to celebrate the first graduates from our Psychology programme, who have set a strong foundation for future cohorts.”

The graduates, who hail from 14 counties across Ireland as well as internationally from Greece and the Czech Republic, were presented with their parchments by College President, Fr Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh.

“As College President, it is my pleasure and privilege to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of all of our graduates. They have been part of our journey over the past three to four years and we wish them the very best as they continue on their own individual paths,” said Fr Ó Maoldhomhnaigh.

The College extends its warmest congratulations to the Class of 2025 and looks forward to supporting future cohorts.