Sean Murphy from Cavan town and Karin Mackey from Southeast Tipperary have been chosen as the recipients of the Niamh Burke Memorial Bursary for 2023.

The Niamh Burke Memorial Bursary was established in memory of a former Arthur Cox partner who played a significant role in the Irish wind energy sector and is administered by Wind Energy Ireland. Over a 20-year career, Niamh advised on some of Ireland’s largest energy, infrastructure and construction projects. The bursary was established in 2020 to honour her memory and contribution to the development of renewable energy and offers up to €10,000 each year to individuals wishing to study or carry out research in the fields of renewable energy and climate action.

The two successful applicants for the 2023 bursary Sean Murphy and Karin Mackey impressed the judges with their commitment to tackling climate change and their passion for their chosen fields of Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance and Environmental and Natural Resources in Law respectively.

Alex McLean, Partner at Arthur Cox, said: “Congratulations to Sean and Karin on being awarded the Niamh Burke Renewable Energy Bursary. We are really pleased to continue our support of the bursary along with Niamh’s family, which pays tribute to her contribution to the development of the Irish wind sector.  We are committed to playing our role in building a more climate-resilient society and so are delighted to be able to support the next generation of Irish talent who will assist in delivering the energy transition.”

Dave Linehan, Head of Research at Wind Energy Ireland, said:
“The growing swell of interest in green careers in renewables and wind energy means there is huge interest each year in this bursary. Supporting education in this area is vital. We need to encourage and enable the climate champions of the future to reach a zero-carbon Ireland.”

Describing her academic plans Karin Mackey said: ” The proceeds of this bursary will fund my studies in UCC in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. Following on from this, my hopes are to contribute the legal expertise I will have gained to make my own impact in the ever-continuing fight against climate change. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been selected to receive this bursary in honour of Niamh Burke.”

Karin will study for her masters in Environmental and Natural Resources in Law at UCC while also working as a legal secretary.

Sean Murphy hopes to pursue his studies for an MSc in Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance at UCD.

Sean Murphy said: “I am both delighted and honoured to receive this award in memory of Niamh Burke. The bursary will go towards the study of Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance at UCD’s Smurfit Business School. This programme will give me an understanding of how renewable energy projects are financed and how sustainability and ESG factors (Environmental, Social, and Governance) are becoming ever more important in investment decisions.”