14/10/2026
Kevin Mulgrew Training and Employment Bursary Launched to Create New Opportunities
The recent launch of the Kevin Mulgrew Training and Employment Bursary marks an important step in continuing to support the Republican ex-prisoner community and their families to access enhanced training opportunities and develop the skills required to secure long-term, sustainable employment.
The bursary has provided fifteen recipients with the opportunity to undertake skills-based training designed to improve their employment prospects, enhance their confidence and open pathways towards meaningful careers.
By investing in accredited training and professional development, the initiative aims to address some of the barriers political ex-prisoners and their family members can face when seeking to enter or return to the workforce.
Through his work as Chair of Coiste na nIarchimí and with Fáilte Abhaile in Dundalk, Kevin campaigned tirelessly on behalf of Republican ex-prisoners and their families. He demonstrated a deep commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for a community that has often been denied full equality and rights.
For decades, he stood at the forefront of the campaign to challenge the systemic inequality and discrimination faced by Republican ex-prisoners and their families. In the face of political hostility, social exclusion, and institutional barriers, Kevin never wavered. His voice was clear, his principles unshakeable, and his commitment total.
Kevin was a firm believer in the power of education, training, and personal development. As a political ex-prisoner whose own circumstances denied him the opportunity to fulfill his own potential, Kevin understood that the denial of equality was not just a political issue, but a deeply personal one. He channelled that experience into a constructive, lifelong mission to support and empower the republican community. He found profound fulfilment in ensuring others would not face the same injustices he did, transforming his own missed opportunities into a roadmap for others' success.
The vision for establishing the bursary was clearly reflected in Kevin’s tireless advocacy; he empowered Republican ex-prisoners and their families to access the resources needed to reach their full potential, achieve better life outcomes, and foster greater social inclusion. By acting as a champion for change, his dedication served as a vital link, connecting the Republican community to a brighter, more inclusive future.
It is an honour for Tar Anall, Tar Isteach and Coiste na nIarchimí to launch this Employment Training Bursary in Kevin’s name, carrying forward his vision and honouring the powerful, enduring legacy he left behind.
