Olivia Kellaghan – BEd (Hons) in Early Education and Care

Name: Olivia Kellaghan

School: Loreto College, Mullingar

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choose your course 

I am a very active and bubbly person. I live on a farm and enjoy taking care of the sheep. Since I was small, I always wanted to become a primary school teacher. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the points in the Leaving Cert to do primary school teaching so Early Childhood Care and Education was the back door I chose. I enjoy spending time with children as well, so I thought this would be a sensible course to do.

Why did you choose ATU Sligo? 

I chose ATU Sligo because I knew friends that were there. Also, Sligo is much cheaper in regards to accommodation and transport than Dublin. I didn’t see the need to go to Dublin to do the same course and pay an outrageous amount for accommodation. 

What advice would you give someone thinking about choosing ATU Sligo? 

Don’t worry about your friends going to Dublin or Galway. It’s too expensive and you get the same experience or better in ATU Sligo. Also, joining clubs it’s a very good way to make friends.

Do you like Sligo as a student town? e.g. things to do, food, nightlife, clubs and societies, accommodation etc. 

Sligo is an amazing place for a student. There is good and cheap nightlife. Accommodation is plentiful so you don’t need to stress about a place beside the college. There is so much to do in Sligo. You can get the bus out to Strandhill or Rosses Point which is a nice spot to go with your friends. You can book a slot in at the astroturf if there was a group of ye who wanted to play soccer.

What specifically about your course do you particularly enjoy? 

I made a lot of friends in my course and they are all friendly. I enjoy the practical modules in my course for example ‘Outdoor Play’. 

What would you say to a student thinking about studying your course? 

Do it if you have an interest in working with children. There are so many job opportunities from this course.  It is also a very interesting course and all the lecturers are helpful and will get to know you.

Tell us about your sporting career/success so far? 

Within the last two years my club won the junior county final in 2018 and this year we reached the senior semi-final which is a big achievement for my club. With Westmeath Camogie, this was our first year to play in the All Ireland senior championship which is a huge achievement for Westmeath camogie.

What is the best thing about sports and sports facilities at ATU Sligo? 

When I came to Sligo first I don’t think there was a camogie team but in our first year, we reached the championship semi-final and won the league final. Camogie in ATU Sligo is getting better and there is a bigger demand for it. The facilities in ATU Sligo are great.

How has the sports scholarship benefited you? What are the advantages of it? 

The scholarship has benefited me very much. The money pays for my transport home to training sessions during the week. I enjoy how I get free access to the gym which is great it makes me go to the gym regularly when I was living in Sligo.

Find out more about Au919 Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Education and Care

Find out more about ATU Sligo Sports Scholarships