History of the Program
The Mulcahy Scholarship was launched in 2018 by the Aisling Irish Community Center in Yonkers, New York, in tribute to Denis Mulcahy and his family's commitment to Project Children, a charity that for forty years, worked untiringly to change the lives of children across Northern Ireland.
Forty years later, America is replicating the reverse, and the scholarship aims to provide American high school students the opportunity to travel to Ireland and experience Irish culture in a fun and diverse way. Scholarship recipients will participate in educational summer courses, immersing them in Irish culture, heritage, arts, and sport.
The long-term goal of the Mulcahy Scholarship is to develop the necessary funding that will facilitate the growth of this unique program, enabling numerous American high school students to attend these cultural summer courses in Northern and Southern Ireland. It is integral to the Mulcahy Scholarship that we preserve and promote a strong and progressive connection between Ireland and America.
In 2018, the very first Mulcahy Scholarship Award was proudly presented to Conor James. The Aisling Irish Center partnered with Brian Fahy of the Celtic Irish American Academy (CIAA) summer program and Conor attended their summer school based in Galway City. There, Conor participated in the CIAA summer program, forged many friendships, and even learned some “cúpla focal”, all while encompassing the core objective of the scholarship.
Click on the video above for a snapshot of our past recipients' experience.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be over the age of 16 and either an American high school junior or senior at the time of application, and who best meet the requirements set forth by the Scholarship Committee.
- Students must be willing to travel to Ireland during the summer months and partake in the Irish cultural programs, in which they are enrolled.
- Recipients are eligible to be awarded a scholarship once only.
- Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to re-apply the following year, if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements listed above.
- Must be available to participate in the cultural programs at the CIAA in Ireland from Sunday July 14th - Saturday July 27th, 2024 (flying out from the US on Saturday July 13th, 2024).
- Valid Passport for international travel.
- Must have proof of Covid vaccination.
- Must be available to interview in person on the evening of Thursday, February 1, 2024.
How to Apply
- Students must download and complete the following fillable forms, prepare the required list of docs and then scan and submit all as one scanned package.
- Download, complete and sign the Mulcahy Scholarship application form
- Submit one personal character reference (non-relatives) such as high school principals, teachers, coaches and/or community leaders. Download the Character Reference Form here, have the referee complete the form and return to you to include with your submission package.
- Prepare a one full page essay on the following topic: "What makes you a suitable candidate to be awarded the Mulcahy Scholarship?" and scan as part of your submission package.
- A scanned copy of a valid passport for international travel
- A scanned copy of a Covid vaccination card
- The 2024 Mulcahy Scholarship is currently open, and all applications must be received no later than 5:00pm on Friday, January 19, 2024.
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Students must submit their completed application form and all requested documents via e-mail to:
Mulcahy Scholarship Board of Directors,
c/o Ms. Linda Croston
Email: mulcahyscholarship@aislingcenter.org
Selection Process
- Scholarship recipients will be chosen by the Mulcahy Scholarship Committee, who will review, and score all submitted applications.
- Applicants that progress to the interview stage, will be required to participate in an in-person interview before the Scholarship Committee on the evening of February 1, 2024. If applicants are unable to attend the interview, then they will not progress to interview phase.
- Scholarship recipients will be notified no later than Friday, February 23, 2024.
- Scholarship award amounts are at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee and will be paid directly to the educational institution in the student's name.
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2018