President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, visited the Atlantic Technological University’s (ATU) Wellpark Road campus in Galway City on Friday.
During the visit, the President viewed a showcase of work from final year students in Product Design, Fine Art (Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture and Digital Media), Interior Design, Film & Documentary, Textiles & Fashion Design, Communications & Media, Graphic Design & illustration, and Animation & Game Design.
Following a fashion showcase, the President toured the exhibition of student work from the range of disciplines across the Department of Creative Arts & Media.
The exhibition included some award-winning projects from the ATU students and reflects the increasing quality and the impact of the graduates of ATU’s School of Creative Industries across the West and North-West region
In an address to graduating students, President Connolly celebrated the creative talents,
“Years of preparation, experimentation, and hard work are distilled into a finished product, even if it still feels unfinished to you as artists.
“In choosing Creative Arts and Media, you have shown the courage to take a path less travelled, embracing the complexities of life and expressing them through a special language that builds bridges of understanding.”
“We need critical thinkers now more than ever—individuals unafraid to challenge dominant narratives around issues like war, homelessness, and climate change—and this journey has produced graduates who are confident, insightful, and capable of shifting how we see the world.”
In her address during the visit of the President of Ireland, Dr Orla Flynn, President of Atlantic Technological University (ATU) said,“Your presence sends a powerful signal that our young creative talent is valued at the highest level.”
“At its heart, a university is a community of people—researchers, teachers, learners, and makers—and at ATU, the technological dimension reflects how we apply knowledge to solve real-world challenges.”
“The work across our campuses demonstrates just how uniquely positioned our creative practitioners are to shape the future, and today we see the creators of tomorrow’s society, work, and culture—guided by values of inclusion, tolerance, and sustainability as they take on the challenges ahead.”
The visit concluded with a formal gathering on the ATU campus at Wellpark Road, where students, their families, and ATU staff attended an address marking the occasion.
Dr Paddy Tobin, Dean of the Faculty of Design, Education and Social Sciences, addressed attendees, “We are delighted to have President Connolly join us for this celebration of our student’s creative prowess.”
“This is not President Connolly’s first time here and we know President Connolly cares deeply about the work of our students & graduates and the impact they have in our communities and our region.”
“We are very proud of our students & graduates and are privileged that they choose to learn and to develop their talents with us.”
Celine Curtin, Head of Department of Creative Arts and Media, also added, “Today is a wonderful day for the students as we celebrate their creativity and curiosity showcased through their work. We would like to sincerely thank President Connolly for being with us today.”
The visit concluded with a formal address, marking the occasion and acknowledging the work of students and staff across the university.
