Courses
New annual bursary established in memory of nursing leader Patrick McGinty (1938–2022) for ATU Mayo students
The family of the late Patrick McGinty has announced the establishment of a new annual bursary for undergraduate nursing students at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Mayo, to be awarded each year for the next 10 years. This initiative honours Patrick’s lifelong commitment to the nursing profession and his deeply held belief in the transformative power of education.
Born in County Mayo in 1938, Patrick McGinty was a proud Mayo man whose early access to education was limited. Seeking opportunity abroad, he moved to England to study Intellectual Disability Nursing and General Nursing. This education opened doors to professional pathways previously unavailable to him and laid the foundation for a distinguished and impactful career.
Patrick progressed through the nursing ranks to become Divisional Nursing Officer for a 460-bed general hospital in Birmingham, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to patient care. Returning to Ireland with his family, he continued to contribute to the sector through a senior management role with the Brothers of Charity Services. His service with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, reflected his enduring commitment to ethics, professional standards, inclusion, and integrity in nursing.
Colleagues remember Patrick as a “tough but fair” leader who consistently treated everyone with dignity and respect. His values are now embedded in this new bursary, which aims to honour his legacy by supporting the next generation of nurses in his home county.
The Patrick McGinty Undergraduate Nursing Bursary will support students enrolled in undergraduate nursing programmes at ATU Mayo. Nursing students face extensive academic and clinical demands, often accompanied by significant financial pressures. This bursary will help students reduce financial stress to better focus on academic and clinical performance.
The late Patrick McGinty’s wife Mrs Bridie McGinty (centre) with daughters, Colette McGinty and
Dr Geraldine McGinty at the launch of the new annual bursary award for nursing at ATU Mayo.
In easing these pressures, the bursary will empower ATU Mayo students to succeed in their studies and enter the nursing profession equipped with confidence, competence, and compassion.
Dr Justin Kerr, Head of the School of Nursing and Healthcare at ATU, and Vice President for ATU Mayo expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating:
“We are honoured that the McGinty family has chosen Atlantic Technological University, and in particular our nursing students at ATU Mayo, as the beneficiaries of this generous bursary. Patrick McGinty’s life exemplified the transformative impact of education and the profound value of professional integrity. This bursary will make a meaningful difference to our students, supporting them to become the nurses who will care for our communities in the years ahead. We are sincerely grateful for this lasting and thoughtful contribution in Patrick’s memory.”
Through this 10-year commitment, the McGinty family hopes to inspire and support aspiring nurses just as education once opened new horizons for Patrick. His legacy of service, leadership, and unwavering belief in the potential of nursing will continue to influence future generations through this meaningful bursary.
Photo caption: Dr Justin Kerr (Vice President ATU Mayo Campus), Deirdre Sheridan (ATU), Rev Daniel Caldwell (ATU Lead Chaplain), Dr Christina Larkin (ATU, Head of Department of Nursing, Health Science & Integrated Care), Chrissie McGuiness ATU Students Union Vice President), Dr Michelle Glacken (ATU Registrar & VP Students)
Aidan Haughey
Communications Manager
Tel: +353 87 961 8355
