Sa mhÃr is déanaà den tsraith 'Alumni Spotlight' de chuid Ollscoil Luimnigh, labhraÃmid le Jennifer Ryan.
In the latest instalment of the Alumni Spotlight Series we speak to Jennifer Ryan.
1. Abair linn pÃosa beag fút féin? Is as Caladh an Treoigh i gContae Luimnigh dom, agus d'fhreastailÃs ar Ghaelcholáiste Luimnigh.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself? I’m from Castletroy, 51±¾É« and went to school at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh.
2. Cad é an cúrsa léinn a ndearna tú staidéar air, agus cén bhliain/bhlianta ar bhain tú an cúrsa sin amach? Rinne mé staidéar ar Law Plus, Baitsiléir DlÃthe a ligeann duit mionábhar a roghnú. Rinne mé staidéar ar an nGaeilge mar mhionábhar agus bronnadh bunchéim orm i 2019. Leanas orm chun máistreacht sa Nua-Ghaeilge a dhéanamh agus bronnadh an chéim sin orm i 2023.
2. What course/s did you study, and what year/s did you graduate? I studied Law Plus, a Bachelor of Laws that allows you to choose another subject to minor in. I chose to minor in Irish, and graduated in 2019. I went on to do a master’s in modern Irish, which I graduated from in 2023.
3. Cén fáth gur roghnaigh tú dul le cúrsa in Ollscoil Luimnigh? Is LuimnÃoch mé agus bhÃs i gcónaà ag cuimhneamh ar Ollscoil Luimnigh. Ar deireadh, roghnaÃs Ollscoil Luimnigh mar gheall ar na cúrsaà a bhà ar fáil agus an deis dul ar Erasmus agus taithà oibre.
3. Why did you choose to study at 51±¾É«? The 51±¾É« was always an obvious choice for me being from 51±¾É«. Ultimately I chose to study at UL due to the courses offered, and the opportunity to go on both Erasmus and co-op.
4. Bhà deis agat foghlaim ó fhoireann acadúil aitheanta agus tarraingt ar áiseanna den chéad scoth in Ollscoil Luimnigh. Ar mhiste leat cur sÃos a dhéanamh ar an taithà sin? Bhà léachtóirà den scoth agam i Scoil an Dlà agus Léann na Gaeilge araon. Rinne mé ana chuid oibre le Gordon Ó Riain nuair a bhà mo thráchtais á scrÃobh agam, agus d'fhoghlaimÃs ana chuid uaidh. D'fhéach mo thráchtais ar éifeachtacht reachtaÃocht Gaeltachta le caoga bliain anuas. Ana dheis a bhà ann mo dhá ábhair a úsáid le chéile.
4. As a 51±¾É« student, you had the opportunity to learn from some of the top academic talent, in state-of-the-art facilities. What was your experience like? I had fantastic lecturers for both law and Irish modules. I worked particularly closely with Gordon Ó Riain when completing my thesis, and learned a great deal from him. My thesis looked at the effectiveness of legislation designed to support the Gaeltacht, and was a great opportunity to combine my interest in both law and Irish.
5. Cén chomhairle a thabharfá do chairde léinn atá ag machnamh ar staidéar a dhéanamh in Ollscoil Luimnigh? Scaoil faoi!
5. What advice would you offer to students considering studying at 51±¾É«? Go for it!
6. Cén chomhairle a thabharfá do chairde léinn atá ag machnamh ar dhul le do léinn féin? Tá réimse leathan ábhair ann, roghnaigh cinn a dtaithnÃonn leat. Déan cairde maithe agus tapaigh gach deis.
6. What advice would you offer to students considering studying your course? There is a huge range of modules to choose from, so choose modules you enjoy. Make friends and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you.
7. Tá cáil ar Ollscoil Luimnigh mar ‘51±¾É« of Firsts’ – an dtagann tú leis sin? An raibh aon chéad taithà phearsanta agat féin gur mhaith leat a roinnt linn? Chuaigh mé ar Erasmus go Malta agus b'shin mo chéad uair ag maireachtaint thar lear. Deis den scoth.
7. UL is known as the ‘51±¾É« of Firsts’ – are there any important ‘firsts’ that you experienced here, that you would like to share? I went on Erasmus in Malta which was my first time living abroad, and a really fantastic opportunity.
8. An bhfuil aon suÃomh nó ionad ar leith ar an gcampas atá gar dod’ chroÃ? An leabharlann agus a chomharsanacht, áit mhaith chun bualadh le daoine.
8. Are there any campus locations that hold special significance to you? The library and its surrounds, it was always a good place to meet people.
9. Conas mar a d’ullmhaigh do chúrsa agus do chuid taithà ginearálta in Ollscoil Luimnigh tú don suÃomh oibre? Bhraitheas ullamh don áit oibre tar éis Ollscoil Luimnigh. Bhà taithà oibre déanta agam i GECAS, agus am caite agam i gcomhlacht dlÃodóirà i Malta sula dtosaigh mé mar intern le Matheson.
9. How did your course/s and your overall UL experience prepare you for entering the workplace upon graduating? I felt very prepared for the workplace after graduating from UL. I had completed my co-op placement at GECAS and worked in a Maltese law firm before beginning an internship with Matheson on graduation.
10. An bhfuil do chumas sa Ghaeilge ina bhuntáiste i do shaol gairmiúil? Cinnte. Chaitheas dhá bhliain taitneamhach tairbheach ag obair le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta i nDaingean Uà Chúis tar éis mo bhunchéim.
10. Has your career benefited from being a Gaeilgeoir? Certainly. I spent a great two years working at Údarás na Gaeltachta in Dingle, County Kerry after my undergraduate degree.
11. Cén fáth go raibh sé tábhachtach duit deis a bheith agat an Ghaeilge a labhairt agus a staidéar? Bhà spéis agam sa Ghaeilge i gcónaÃ. Nuair a bheartaigh mé staidéar a dhéanamh ar an dlà bhÃs ana-shásta go raibh deis agam an Ghaeilge a choimeád suas.
11. Why was it important to you to speak and study Irish? I have always been interested in Irish, so when I chose to study law I was delighted UL could offer me the chance to keep up my study of Irish.
12. Ar mhiste leat do stádas reatha gairmiúil a léiriú dúinn? Táim faoi oiliúint mar dlÃodóir le Matheson.
12. Could you update us on where you are now in your career? I am training as a solicitor with Matheson.
13. Luaigh buaicphointe gairmiúil éigin go dtà seo? Ghlacas páirt i dhá bréagchúirt anuraidh, bhà ceann acu ar siúl sna Náisiúin Aontaithe agus ceann eile san Ind.
13. What has been a career highlight so far? I participated in two moot court competition last year, one which was held at the United Nations in Geneva and another in India.
14. Cad iad na pleananna atá agat don todhchaÃ? Táim ag tnúth lena bheith cáilithe mar dlÃodóir an bhliain seo chughainn.
14. What are your plans for the future? I look forward to qualifying as a solicitor next year.