The Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal celebrated its annual Student Achievement Awards on Thursday, 3rd April 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny.
With the red carpet rolled out and the venue styled to impress, over 200 students and staff gathered for an unforgettable evening of recognition and celebration.
This year marked a major milestone for the Clubs & Societies Programme, which now boasts an impressive 56 registered groups. Opening the evening’s proceedings, Don Donoghue, Students’ Union General Manager, commended the growth and diversity of student involvement:
“This expansion reflects a vibrant campus community, with students deeply engaged in an exciting range of events and initiatives, both on and off campus.”
ATU President, Dr. Orla Flynn, highlighted the lifelong value of extracurricular engagement:
“Participation in clubs and societies enriches the student experience, creating lasting memories and friendships, here you have found your tribe.”
Joint winners of the Best Society event at the at the ATU Clubs & Societies Scholarship Awards night held in the Radisson Hotel Letterkenny were the Law & Debate Societies pictured along with Front row (l-r) Rory McMorrow – (Student Services Manager ATU Donegal, Dr. Michele Glacken, (Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Students, ATU),Paul Hannigan (Head of College ATU Donegal), Dr Orla Flynn (President ATU), Kevin Sweeney President SU ATU Donegal, Middle row Don Donoghue (General Manager · ATU Students’ Union Donegal), Henry McGarvey, (VP Campus Infrastructure & IT ATU), Ann Marie Kelly, Academic Affairs Officer at ATU), Dr Vicky O’Rourke ( Senior Lecturer for Research Development at the Faculty of Business, ATU Donegal), Dr. Billy Bennett, (VP Registrar and Academic Affairs ATU)Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography.
The Debate Society who were winners of the Best New Society at the ATU Clubs & Societies Scholarship Awards night held in the Radisson Hotel Letterkenny Front row (l-r) Rory McMorrow – (Student Services Manager ATU Donegal, Dr. Michele Glacken, (Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Students, ATU),Paul Hannigan (Head of College ATU Donegal), Dr Orla Flynn (President ATU), Kevin Sweeney President SU ATU Donegal. Back row (l-r) Michael Margey (head of Business Faculty ATU), Henry McGarvey, (VP Campus Infrastructure & IT ATU),, Don Donoghue (General Manager · ATU Students’ Union Donegal) Ann Marie Kelly, Academic Affairs Officer at ATU), Dr Vicky O’Rourke ( Senior Lecturer for Research Development at the Faculty of Business, ATU Donegal), Dr. Billy Bennett, (VP Registrar and Academic Affairs ATU)Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography.
Oisin Thompson ATU Donegal Male Sports Star of the year and Female Sports Star – Keri Loughrey ATU Donegal female Sports Star of the year pictured at the Clubs & Societies Awards night held in the Radisson Hotel Letterkenny. Included in the photo are Dr. Michele Glacken, (Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Students, ATU), Paul Hannigan (Head of College ATU Donegal), Dr Orla Flynn (President ATU) ,Kevin Sweeney President SU ATU Donegal, Back row (l-r) Michael Margey (head of Business Faculty ATU), Don Donoghue (General Manager · ATU Students’ Union Donegal), Rory McMorrow – (Student Services Manager ATU Donegal), Henry McGarvey, (VP Campus Infrastructure & IT ATU), Ann Marie Kelly, Academic Affairs Officer at ATU), Dr Vicky O’Rourke ( Senior Lecturer for Research Development at the Faculty of Business, ATU Donegal), Dr. Billy Bennett, (VP Registrar and Academic Affairs ATU). Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
Dr. Flynn had the honour of presenting several key awards on the night, including:
- Most Outstanding Society Member
- Most Improved Society
- Leadership Award
- Best Society
- Civic, Charity & Community Engagement Award
A special highlight of the night was the presentation of Clubs & Societies Scholarships to eight exceptional student leaders. These awards, valued at €1,000 each, are designed to recognise and support students who demonstrate leadership, commitment, and contribution to student life. The scholarships were presented by Paul Hannigan, Head of College, ATU Donegal, who praised the ongoing impact of societies across campus.
“Our clubs and societies are integral to shaping the student experience. Their contribution reflects the rich cultural tapestry of ATU, which now draws students from across the globe.”
Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Students, Dr. Michele Glacken, reflected on the year in sport, noting that:
“ATU Donegal now fields 15 competitive sports teams—a number we are committed to growing in the coming years as part of our broader effort to enhance student life.”
ATU Donegal Clubs & Societies Scholarship recipients pictured at Clubs & Societies Awards night held in the Radisson Hotel Letterkenny. Front row (l-r) Murali Krishnan Jayagopi (Indian Students Society), Pilar Castillo Ramirez (Dance Fitness Society), Paul Hannigan (Head of College ATU Donegal), Dr Orla Flynn (President ATU), Dr. Michele Glacken, (Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Students, ATU), Aisling Doherty ( Law Society). Back row (l-r) Michael Margey (head of Business Faculty ATU), Ekaterina Savustyan ( International Society), Paul Hannigan (Volleyball Society), Rachael Kenny (Mature Students Society), Fatima Razaq (Islamic Society), Dr. Billy Bennett, (VP Registrar and Academic Affairs ATU) , Henry McGarvey, (VP Campus Infrastructure & IT ATU). Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
The Agriculture Science Society who won the Award for Civic,Charity & Community engagement at the ATU Donegal Clubs & Societies Scholarship recipients pictured at Clubs & Societies Awards night held in the Radisson Hotel Letterkenny. Included in the photo are front row Don Donoghue (General Manager · ATU Students’ Union Donegal), Paul Hannigan (Head of College ATU Donegal), Dr Orla Flynn (President ATU), Dr. Michele Glacken, (Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Students, ATU), Rory McMorrow – (Student Services Manager ATU Donegal), Back row Michael Margey (Head of Business Faculty ATU), Dr Vicky O’Rourke ( Senior Lecturer for Research Development at the Faculty of Business, ATU Donegal), Dr. Billy Bennett, (VP Registrar and Academic Affairs ATU), Henry McGarvey, )VP Campus Infrastructure & IT ATU), Ann Marie Kelly
(Academic Affairs Officer at ATU). Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography)
The ATU Volleyball team who were the best society winners the ATU Clubs & Societies Awards night held in the Radisson Hotel. Included in the photo are Front row (l-r) Rory McMorrow – (Student Services Manager ATU Donegal, Dr. Michele Glacken, (Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Students, ATU),Paul Hannigan (Head of College ATU Donegal), Dr Orla Flynn (President ATU), Kevin Sweeney President SU ATU Donegal. Back row (l-r) Michael Margey (head of Business Faculty ATU), Henry McGarvey, (VP Campus Infrastructure & IT ATU), Don Donoghue (General Manager · ATU Students’ Union Donegal) Ann Marie Kelly, Academic Affairs Officer at ATU), Dr Vicky O’Rourke ( Senior Lecturer for Research Development at the Faculty of Business, ATU Donegal), Dr. Billy Bennett, (VP Registrar and Academic Affairs .Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography.
The Islamic Society who were the most Improved society winners the ATU Clubs & Societies Awards night held in the Radisson Hotel. Included in the photo are Front row (l-r) Rory McMorrow – (Student Services Manager ATU Donegal, Dr. Michele Glacken, (Vice President for Teaching, Learning and Students, ATU),Paul Hannigan (Head of College ATU Donegal), Dr Orla Flynn (President ATU), Kevin Sweeney President SU ATU Donegal. Back row (l-r) Michael Margey (head of Business Faculty ATU), Henry McGarvey, (VP Campus Infrastructure & IT ATU), Don Donoghue (General Manager · ATU Students’ Union Donegal) Ann Marie Kelly, Academic Affairs Officer at ATU), Dr Vicky O’Rourke ( Senior Lecturer for Research Development at the Faculty of Business, ATU Donegal), Dr. Billy Bennett, (VP Registrar and Academic Affairs .Photo by Gerard McHugh
Award Winners 2025
Clubs & Societies Awards
- Best Society Poster – Debate Society
- Best Society Event – Debate & Law Societies – Donald Trump Debate
- Civic, Charity & Community Engagement Award – Ag Science Society
- Leadership Award – Murali Krishnan Jayagopi, Indian Students Society
- Most Outstanding Society Member – Aisling Doherty, Law Society
- Most Improved Society – Islamic Society
- Best Society – Volleyball Society
Clubs & Societies Scholarship Recipients
- Rachael Kenny – Mature Students Society
- Murali Krishnan Jayagopi – Indian Students Society
- Paul Hannigan – Volleyball Society
- Ekaterina Savustyan – International Society
- Athul Sukumaran – Indian Students Society
- Pilar Castillo Ramirez – Dance Fitness Society
- Fatima Razaq – Islamic Society
- Aisling Doherty – Law Society
Sports Awards
- Female Sports Star – Keri Loughrey
- Male Sports Star – Oisin Thompson
- Sports Team of the Year – ATU Donegal Women’s Soccer Team
The evening closed with dessert and dancing, with students celebrating not only their achievements, but the vibrant community they have built together.
Tags: