Walsh Whiskey awards Brewing & Distilling bursary to SETU student
Pictured: John Griffin, Walsh Whiskey; Dr John Byrne, SETU; Dr Blaise Ni Pharsis, SETU; Dr Sinead Morris, SETU; John Brennan (SETU winning student); Bernard Walsh, Walsh Whiskey; Dr David Phelan, SETU; and Dr David Ryan, SETU.
John Brennan, a second year student from South East Technological University (SETU) was awarded the Walsh Whiskey sixth annual bursary of €1,000 at the university’s campus in Carlow.
Brennan is an undergraduate student of SETU Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Brewing and Distilling. The prize was awarded by Walsh Whiskey, producers of Writers’ Tears and The Irishman premium whiskeys, to the student with the highest grades in the first year of the bachelor’s course, the first course of its kind in Ireland.
Launched in 2017, the degree in brewing and distilling was developed by SETU following significant research and consultation with industry, representative organisations, national bodies, and government.
Dr Sinead Morris, programme director, SETU, said: “The collaboration between SETU and Walsh Whiskey has been pivotal to the success of our brewing and distilling honours degree programme which has been designed with industry relevance in mind. Since the programme’s inception, Walsh Whiskey has been a steadfast partner playing a crucial role in the course’s development and maintaining an enduring commitment to our students and graduates. Walsh Whiskey’s continued support, exemplified by its annual bursary, highlights the immense value of the strong university-industry relationship that exists between our institutions.”
Bernard Walsh, co-founder and managing director, Walsh Whiskey, said: “From there being just a handful of distilleries in Ireland a decade ago, there are now over 50 nationwide. In addition, we at Walsh Whiskey are planning a major new distillery in Dunleckney, county Carlow, so SETU graduates have great career prospects both locally and right across Ireland.”
