Kilkea Scholarship Webpage

The Kilkea Castle Scholarship

Shannon College of Hotel Management & Kilkea Castle Partnership

The Kilkea Castle Scholarship supports students commencing their undergraduate studies at Shannon College of Hotel Management, University of Galway.

Open to both domestic and international students, the scholarship recognises academic potential and a commitment to excellence in hospitality education. It also provides financial support to students who would benefit from additional assistance as they begin their studies.

Through this partnership, Kilkea Castle and Shannon College are working together to support future talent and strengthen pathways into the hospitality industry.

About Kilkea Castle

Kilkea Castle is one of Ireland’s oldest inhabited castles, with a history dating back to 1180. Located in County Kildare, the estate spans 180 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, offering a unique blend of heritage and modern luxury.

Today, Kilkea Castle operates as a 140-bedroom resort featuring a spa, an 18-hole championship golf course, and a high-quality culinary experience. It is recognised as a leading hospitality destination, known for delivering exceptional guest experiences and developing talent within the industry.

Through its partnership with Shannon College of Hotel Management, Kilkea Castle is supporting the next generation of hospitality professionals by investing in students at the beginning of their academic and career journey.

Scholarship Details

Four students have been awarded the Kilkea Castle Scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year, each valued at $2,000.

The scholarship is open to both domestic and international students entering their undergraduate studies at Shannon College of Hotel Management. It is awarded in Year 1 and is designed to recognise academic achievement while also supporting students with demonstrated financial need.

The scholarship will be offered again for the September 2026 intake, with applications expected to open in August

Eligibility Criteria

The Kilkea Castle Scholarships are awarded across four categories:

Domestic / EU / EEA – Financial Need

Applicants must:

Be a registered student at Shannon College of Hotel Management
Be in receipt of support through the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) (Special Rate or Bands 1–4), or be registered as a HEAR, Mature, FETAC or Access student

Domestic / EU / EEA – Merit-Based

Applicants must:

Be a registered student at Shannon College of Hotel Management
Demonstrate academic excellence in their Leaving Certificate results (or equivalent), together with their interview for Shannon College of Hotel Management

International / Non-EU – Financial Need

Applicants must:

Be a registered student at Shannon College of Hotel Management
Submit an online application where you must present proof of your financial need
Be in receipt of an education loan in your home country to support your international studies

International / Non-EU – Merit-Based

Applicants must:

Be a registered student at Shannon College of Hotel Management
Submit an online application form outlining your motivation for applying, your qualifications, and how you plan to develop connections with SCHM
High achieving non-EU applicants will be assessed according to their academic excellence

How to Apply

Applications for the Kilkea Castle Scholarship will open in August for the 2026 intake.

Applicants will be required to complete the relevant scholarship application form and submit all required information as part of the application process.

Further details, including application links and deadlines, will be made available when applications open.

Applications will open in August

Eoin Farnan - Winner Kilkea Castle Scholarship 2025

"Receiving the Kilkea Castle Scholarship has been an absolute honour and one of the proudest achievements of my life. I am incredibly grateful to be associated with Kilkea Castle and to be one of four students selected to represent Shannon College through this prestigious scholarship.

This academic recognition has further motivated me to excel in my studies through determination, dedication, and hard work. I am committed to upholding the values and standards of excellence that this scholarship represents throughout my academic and professional journey."

Lexn Dane - Winner Kilkea Castle Scholarship 2025

"Coming to Ireland, I had many expectations for myself and, receiving a scholarship was the least of my expectations. I come from a country where finance is the hardest to control, and coming here made it a lot harder for my family, considering I have a brother in his 7th grade and a newborn baby sister. I have been working part-time to help with my own expenses for college, and it has been so hectic, but worth it.

Shannon has taught me a lot more than how to be a manager. The college has taught me how not to fear asking for help, and to accept it when it comes. It also taught me how to be grateful and content with what I have, but to still reach for a better goal for myself.

Though I never really wanted to come to Ireland, I thank my family for bringing me here. I’m thankful for the opportunities that came my way and the blessings that were vested for me. That’s how I realised that I’m destined to be here."

Gani Purnawan - Winner Kilkea Castle Scholarship 2025

"I am truly grateful and honoured to receive the Kilkea Castle Scholarship for the 2025/2026 academic year at Shannon College of Hotel Management. This opportunity means so much to me, and I feel very thankful for the trust and support that have been given to me. Coming from a background where this kind of opportunity is truly life-changing, this scholarship not only supports me financially but also gives me the confidence to continue pursuing my goals in the hospitality industry.

I hope to use this opportunity to achieve my goals and contribute positively to the college community and my future career in hospitality."

Lola McMahon - Winner Kilkea Castle Scholarship 2025

"Winning the Kilkea Castle Scholarship has been a gamechanger for my education. By significantly easing the financial burden of my college expenses, it has empowered me to pursue my goals with confidence. I am extremely grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship. Thank you to the selection committee for your generosity and for making this chapter of my life so much more manageable."

Terms & Conditions of The Kilkea Castle Scholarship

The Scholarship will be awarded to a student in Year 1 at Shannon College of Hotel Management (SCHM).
The scholarship award will be applied towards tuition fees at University of Galway or issued as a stipend if the student is already in receipt of other financial aid.
The University’s selection process is final. Detailed feedback is not available in the case of an unsuccessful application.
If multiple applications are of the same standard, preference will be given to applicants demonstrating greater financial need.
Students will not be entitled to receive this scholarship in conjunction with any other bursary, scholarship or award of similar description.
Students must qualify for and be in receipt of financial support through SUSI at Special Rate or Bands 1–4 (for domestic need-based award).
Any offer of a Scholarship is dependent upon information being truthful and accurate and upon the applicant fulfilling all of the conditions of the Scholarship. The right to withdraw an offer is maintained in the event of any error or omission whatsoever in the information provided by or on behalf of the Applicant. The Applicant will be given 14 days' notice in writing that the offer is being withdrawn.
Scholarships will only be awarded to Applicants who have been formally offered a place in SCHM.
Each Scholarship is for the named person on the application only.
The Scholar must commence his or her programme of study during the academic year of 2026/27. The Scholar must successfully complete their programme of study within the standard timeframe. The duration of the Scholarship will be clearly stated upon confirmation of award and will not be extendable to cover any deferred or repeated year. Authorised postponements will be considered only in exceptional circumstances, and for a valid reason. In the event that no reasons are provided, it will remain within the discretion of University of Galway to withdraw the Scholarship.
The Scholar will be expected to attend a Scholarship Awards Ceremony to be formally presented with the award.
The scholarship is available to you on the basis that you are willing to participate in the Student Ambassador programme for not more than 1-2 hours per week during the period of study, if necessary.
The Scholar is required to take part in the promotion of this scholarship and may be asked for a photograph and personal statement for use in promotional material and impact reporting. The Scholar's contact details (email address, phone number and postal address) will be retained by University of Galway for the purpose of administering the Scholarship only.
If a scholarship holder withdraws from the programme for which s/he has registered or fails to continue throughout the year to meet the attendance and other requirements for the programme, including examination entry, s/he may be required to repay to the University the whole or part of the bursary in which case the University shall, in consultation with and subject to the agreement of the Donor, determine an alternative application for the refunded funds, consistent with the wishes of the Donor and informed by its original purpose.
The Scholar will agree to allow the Institution to share certain data (name, course, student ID number, institution, etc.) with other parties within the Institution as required with the Scholar's express permission.
All scholarship recipients must adhere to the University of Galway Student Code of Conduct.
University of Galway, in consultation with the supporter, reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions on notice to the scholars where necessary.