Diageo has announced the recipients of the 34th Annual Finbarr Flood Scholarships, recognising and celebrating academic excellence and a commitment to education among students from the local community around St. James’s Gate in Dublin 8.
Seven outstanding students received recognition along with their teachers and families and a laptop package to help them as they proceed into third level education.
Founded by the late Finbarr Flood, former Managing Director of the Guinness Ireland Group, these scholarships have been a source of support for nearly 200 students in the local area for over 30 years.
Family members of Dr Flood, Diageo employees and staff from local schools and colleges attended the awards ceremony that was held at The Guinness Storehouse on Monday 13th November.
This year’s awardees were nominated by their teachers, who sought to recognise each student’s exceptional performance and dedication to their studies, often overcoming significant individual challenges.
The 2023 scholarship recipients are as follows:
– Jimmy Ahmed, St. Paul’s CBS
– Shauna O’Neill, CBS James Street
– Tori Kinsella, St. Dominic’s College
– Lottie Smith, Presentation Secondary School, Warrenmount
– Jake Griffin, St. John’s College
– Anastasiia Shyryvera, Liberties College of Further Education
– Fayth Noelle Byrne, Liberties College of Further Education
Pictured from left at the Guinness Storehouse are the Finbarr Flood Award for Outstanding Achievement recipients Tori Kinsella from St. Dominic’s College and Anastasiia Shyryvera from Liberties College. Pic: Naoise Culhane
Anastasiia Shyryvera and Tori Kinsella received special additional bursaries in recognition of their exceptional commitment to personal growth and their positive influence on others.
This unique honour, known as the Finbarr Flood Award for Outstanding Achievement, underscores the high regard in which Anastasiia and Tori are held by both their peers and educators.
Fayth Noelle Byrne from the Liberties College of Further Education was also recognised with the Mia Delaney Award for excellence in the Applied Leaving Certificate Exam.
Aidan Crowe, Operations Director at the St. James’s Gate Brewery, extended his congratulations to all recipients and recognise the role they play in the local community.
Mr Crowe commented “At Diageo, we take great pride in acknowledging the achievements of the talented young individuals within our local community.
“These awards symbolise the unique connection between St. James’s Gate and our friends and neighbours in Dublin 8, that has been our home since 1759.
“These scholarships celebrate the exceptional potential of the young people who live in this diverse and dynamic community.
“Each of them provides leadership and inspiration to their friends and classmates and we hope these awards will help them as they take the next steps in their education and careers.”
Carmel Buckley, local guidance counsellor who works with Diageo and local schools to support the Finbarr Flood Awards, added, “As someone who has worked with local schools on these awards over the years, I know the value and importance in which they are held.
“They are an important means of recognising the hard-work and dedication of individual students who have overcome different challenges during their education.
“Each award recipient has pursued their education with determination and dedication, and it is right that this is acknowledged and celebrated.
“I hope these awards give them and others further encouragement to continue their learning and educational development into the future.”