Mary Immaculate College (MIC) and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) are delighted to announce Limerick musician and harpist Aoife Connolly as the recipient of the 2026 Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship.
A first-year Bachelor of Education (B Ed) student at MIC, Aoife is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, specialising in harp, concertina and fiddle. She has won multiple All-Ireland titles, including the U-18 All-Ireland Harp title at Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann in 2024. She was also one of eight finalists in the 2025 Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada Competition for harp, broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Now in its fourth year, the scholarship was established in memory of MIC graduate Ashling Murphy, a talented traditional musician and primary school teacher whose life was tragically cut short in January 2022. Jointly awarded by MIC and the INTO, it recognises first-year Bachelor of Education students who demonstrate exceptional ability in traditional Irish music, honouring Ashling’s shared passion for music and teaching.
Professor Dermot Nestor, President of MIC, said:
“Mary Immaculate College and the INTO warmly congratulate Aoife Connolly on being awarded the 2026 Ashling Murphy Scholarship. The scholarship honours the memory of Ashling Murphy, a graduate of MIC, primary teacher and gifted traditional musician, and each year supports a traditional musician beginning the Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) at MIC. As a highly accomplished traditional harper who has just begun her studies with us, Aoife is a very deserving recipient, and we look forward to formally presenting her with the scholarship at the College Awards Night on 23 March 2027.”
Speaking about receiving the scholarship, Aoife said:
“One of my aspirations as a future teacher is to use music in education to help build every child’s confidence, whether academically, socially or musically, regardless of their abilities or background. I’m very honoured to receive this scholarship, and I look forward to continuing Ashling’s legacy through my teaching and my love of music.”
Brendan Horan, President of the INTO, said:
“The INTO is once again proud to support the Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship in partnership with MIC. The scholarship honours Ashling’s passion for teaching and traditional music while reflecting her commitment to encouraging and celebrating emerging talent, both within the classroom and beyond.”
Aoife has performed extensively as a soloist and an ensemble musician, including at the National Concert Hall, on TG4’s Fleadh TV and at Knappogue Castle and Bunratty Castle, where she regularly performs harp and fiddle. In 2024, she also received the prestigious Mícheál Ó hEidhin Gold Medal after achieving distinctions in her Grade 8 traditional music examinations in harp and concertina.
Having begun teaching music lessons while still in secondary school, Aoife hopes to combine her passion for traditional music with her future career as a primary school teacher, using music to build children’s confidence, encourage creativity and foster a love of learning.
