What Our Students Say

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  Darragh Murtagh

  After graduating from Athboy C.S. in 2020, I did Agricultural Science at U.C.D. I come from a farm and have always had a huge interest in agriculture, so I wanted to pursue a career in this field. I could choose from 6 different specialties, so I chose Animal and Crop Production, which looks at all types of animal husbandry from Ruminants (cows and sheep) to monogastrics (pigs and poultry) as well as all crops from grass, to cereal crops, root crops and maize. I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of the course and it really helped to build my knowledge from the ground up and opened my eyes to different agricultural systems. In the PWE (Professional Work Experience) part of the course, I got the opportunity to travel to England to work on a large beef and sheep farm for six weeks at the peak of lambing and calving season, which helped me gain some practical insights into what I had learned in college. I also got the chance to work on a 900-dairy-cow and arable farm in Denmark, spending three months doing everything from milking to harvesting grain. This was a completely different system compared to Ireland, and I learned so much. After returning from Denmark, I completed my fourth year. I then went on to complete a one-year graduate programme with Alltech, a global animal nutrition company, where I was trained in Ruminant Nutrition. I was placed in Dubai for 3 months, where I was working on diets for over 3,500 cows. After the graduate programme, I got a full-time role with Alltech covering nutrition in Northern Ireland, where I further enhanced my nutrition skills. Recently, I joined McNamara Feeds as a Sales Representative and a Ruminant Nutritionist, assessing cattle milk production and body condition, doing up diets and advising farmers on how to maximise production on their farm to ensure profitability.

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  Marie Makiela

  Hello, my name is Marie Makiela, and I graduated from Athboy C.S. in 2025. I am currently studying General Nursing in TUS Athlone. Some of my modules include sociology and health, anatomy and pharmacology, and evidence-based practice. The modules in my course change each semester. My course is balanced between practical work and academic theory. We do practical work in the simulation labs in college and out on clinical placement, where we are exposed to clinical settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. I personally really enjoy the practical learning aspect of nursing as I learn by doing. The exposure to a clinical environment assists in connecting and applying the theoretical knowledge in labs to reality. One of the things I enjoy about nursing is the ability to make a positive change in people's lives. Working with patients and healthcare staff has shown me the impact nurses have every day. There are many sectors in nursing, such as paediatrics (children's nursing), theatre nursing (in the operating room) and emergency department nursing. As of now, I am undecided on which sector I wish to specialise in, but In the future I wish to work as a registered nurse. In General Nursing, we are exposed to many different sectors throughout our training and placements. I would definitely consider a post-graduate course to further develop my knowledge. Secondary school prepared me well for college by helping me develop study habits, teamwork skills and communication skills. The support and encouragement from my teachers helped me build confidence in my ability to take on a course like nursing. Looking back, I feel that secondary school gave me a strong foundation for college.

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  Fiona Boylan

  My name is Fiona Boylan, and I am currently entering my second year of Primary Education at DCU (St. Pats). After finishing my time in Athboy C.S, I knew I wanted a career that was impactful, and so far, my experience in St. Pats has been everything I hoped for and more. The Bachelor of Education is an intense but incredibly rewarding degree. My modules cover a massive range of subjects - it’s not just about what to teach, but how children learn. On any given day, I could be in a lecture for learning the best methods to teach Irish, Maths, Geography, Religion, etc., or the Psychology of how children develop and the Philosophy behind modern education. The social side of college has been great, too. I’ve gone from the familiar halls of school to a community where I’ve made friends and enjoyed a great social life. Making the most of the college experience while keeping up with my studies has made my first year truly unforgettable. At the moment, my primary goal is to get into the classroom as a primary school teacher. I have a growing interest in potentially working within a Special School setting, as I find that area of education fulfilling. One thing is for certain: I plan to use my degree to teach abroad for a few years. The opportunities with my degree are endless. During my final year in school, I had the privilege of being one of two School Captains. That experience was foundational for me. It allowed me to build fantastic relationships with both my teachers and my peers, and it taught me the communication skills I use every day in my degree. The help and encouragement from my teachers to stay on top of my work was exactly what I needed. That work ethic has been my biggest asset in the third level, and it has helped me navigate the transition from secondary school into college life. I’m excited to continue my journey and hopefully inspire students in the same way my teachers inspired me!

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  Zachary MacPherson

  My name is Zachary MacPherson. I graduated from Athboy Community School in 2015 and began studying Mathematics and Mathematical Physics in Maynooth University later that year. My modules included Pure Maths, Applied Maths and Mathematical Physics. While I found the subjects interesting, I realised during second year that the course structure didn’t fully suit me or align with what I wanted long term, so I made the decision to defer my studies and instead completed a Diploma in Professional Musicianship and Songwriting with BIMM Institute Dublin in 2018. At the same time in 2018, I started working with Bus Éireann as a Network Analyst. This role became a key turning point for me. I worked in a team responsible for national operations and took every opportunity to get involved in different aspects of the job. I contributed to process improvements, including rewriting procedures that improved efficiency and reduced compliance risks, and became involved in project management work around bus stop infrastructure, legislation and delivery. In 2021, I progressed into a management role within Travel Information, working under an agreement with the National Transport Authority. In this role, I became responsible for the provision and maintenance of publicly funded bus stops across the Republic of Ireland. I helped grow the team from 5 to 20 people and managed multi-million Euro work programmes at a national level. Alongside my career, I continued my education through work and completed Level 7 and Level 8 qualifications in Sustainable Resource Management, as well as Lean Six Sigma, in 2024, both in the University of Limerick. I am now planning to pursue a Master’s degree through work, likely in Project Management or Sustainable Transport, to continue developing my skills and open up future opportunities. Secondary school in Athboy C.S. prepared me by giving me a strong foundation in problem-solving and adaptability. More importantly, it showed me that it’s okay not to have everything figured out straight away. My path wasn’t linear, but by staying open to opportunities and getting involved, I found a direction that suited me.

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