Engage in Education

L.C.B.E.I. trading as Engage in Education was
established in 1991 by Pat O’Connor with an 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

Project Leaders

John Roche

John Roche

Project Director

Mary McSweeney

Mary McSweeney

Project Manager

Aoife O'Brien

Aoife O'Brien

Project Worker

Our loyal and generous sponsors

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

  • Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science.
  • J.P. McManus Charitable Foundation
  • Limerick City and County Council – Office of Regeneration
  • PriceWaterhouseCoopers
  • Rethink Ireland
  • The Irish Youth Foundation
  • University of Limerick
  • Limerick Enterprise Development Park
  • Bon Secours
  • Technical University Shannon (TUS)
  • Mary Immaculate College (MIC)
  • LCETB (Reach fund)

Board of Directors

  • Geraldine Clohessy Chairperson

  • Noel Earlie Former Principal CBS Sexton Street, Vice Chairperson

  • David Conway Accountant, Treasurer

  • Éimear O’Flynn Group Corporate Affairs, CRH

  • Prof. Patricia Mannix McNamara Head of School of Education, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick

  • Linda Barry Academic Administration & Student Affairs Manager, T.U.S

  • Nuala Rennisson Enterprise Officer , Limerick City Development Project

  • Gerry O’Doherty Rotary International

  • Mary Brereton Path Programme Manager, Mary Immaculate College

  • Anthony James Fitzgerald School Principal, Le Cheile Primary School

  • Nancy Ekhator Student Representative

  • Chloe Cropper Student Representative

Documentation

Our detailed strategic plan available for download:

400+
undergraduates
supported

Our Stories