L.C.B.E.I. trading as Engage in Education was
established in 1991 by Pat O’Connor with initial
grants from Charles Feeney and Atlantic resources. A
registered charitable company was formed in the same
year with a voluntary team of dedicated Directors.

I don’t know if I can ever truly put into words how grateful I am to have been a part of the Engage programme. It gives students hope for their futures where they may otherwise have had none.

Claire O’Connor, 2016 Graduate, English and New Media, University of Limerick
Being part of Engage offers an extra dynamic to the third-level experience that simply cannot be found on campus, in which there is a real and honest acknowledgement of shared challenges and practical solutions in the company of people with similar backgrounds and understanding.

Cindy Fogarty, Art & Design, School of Art & Design, Limerick Institute of Technology
Engage is the difference between me securing a career or working in an unskilled job. They provided the financial support and the study support I needed to succeed in college. For those in disadvantaged areas, Engage are the greatest support for securing a career.

Jamie Shinners, BSc in Accounting, University College Cork
Without the help of the team at Engage, I don’t know if my first year at college would have gone as smoothly as it did. People who are not in or have never been to college fail to understand the struggles we face, but thankfully Engage have helped me very much. I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Lauren Cosgrave, Bachelor of Arts Degree, Mary Immaculate College
The term ‘disadvantaged’ does us a disservice. As a kid, it puts a bad idea in your head, that you can’t do the same things as other kids or that you’re not as valued. Even though you may have access to more resources because of various initiatives for ‘disadvantaged’ kids, the label is saying you’re not naturally able for more.

Fiona McDonnell, Bachelor Drama and Theatre Studies, Trinity College Dublin

Our loyal and generous sponsors

Funding has been provided over the intervening years for a range of initiatives by the following sponsors:

Department of Education & Skills
J.P. McManus Charitable Foundation
The Butler Trust
Limerick City and County Council – Office of Regeneration
PriceWaterhouseCoopers

University of Limerick
Analog Devices
A.I.B. Better Ireland Awards
Limerick Enterprise Development Park
Kemp Technologies Ltd.

Board of Directors

Karina Ryan NISE PATH 1,Program Manager, Mary Immaculate College
Eimear O'Flynn Group Corporate Affairs, C.R.H.
Prof. Patricia Mannix McNamara Head of School of Education, University of Limerick
Linda Barry Academic Administration & Student Affairs Manager – Limerick Institute of Technology
Gerry O’Doherty Rotary International
Geraldine Clohessy Chairperson, Volunteer Community Development Work, Moyross, Our Lady Queen of Peace – Roxboro, Limerick Community Development Project Vice-Chairperson
Mary O’Sullivan Guidance Counsellor, Thomond Community College
Noel Earlie Former Principal CBS Sexton Street, Vice-Chairperson
Nuala Rennisson Enterprise Support Worker Limerick Community Development Project
Sean Heffernan Student Representative
Rachel Mescall-Fitzpatrick Alumni Representative
David Conway Accountant