Presidential first on Sherkin Island

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese will make history next Monday when she becomes the first president to visit an island off the southwest coast.

President McAleese will be guest of honour at the conferring of awards for the Dublin Institute of Technology’s (DIT) BA in Visual Art Graduation.

The event will take place on April 19 at the Sherkin Island Community Hall.

Susan Harrington, exhibitions co-ordinator for West Cork Arts Centre, said: “The support of President McAleese is hugely significant to this third-level arts education programme and marks a major step forward in recognising the significance of this arts and cultural resource for the West Cork region.”

Sherkin Island Development Society, the Dublin Institute of Technology and West Cork Arts Centre have announced that seven final year students from the BA in Visual Art Programme will receive their degrees.

The event will also be attended by Bríd Grant, director and dean of the College of Arts and Tourism, DIT.

The graduating students are Lorraine Bacchus, Monica Boyle, Rebecca Keyser, Veronika O’Driscoll, Catherine Ryan, Peggy Townend and Alison Trim.

A musical celebration of the graduation event takes place on April 18 when the Conservatory of Music, DIT will join the students and the community for a traditional music session in the Jolly Roger at 4pm. This will be followed by a recital by acclaimed classical guitarist, John Feeley in the Islanders Rest at 9ppm. Both these events are free.