DkIT celebrates 11th graduation for community-based Pathways Programme

The Pathways Programme is delivered on an outreach basis in both the Barbican Centre, Drogheda and Dundalk Gaol. The community aspect provides students with a chance to build their confidence and get a feeling of what college would be like in a safe and non-intimidating space.

In DkIT, the programme is championed by Dr. Sheila Flanagan, Dr. Patricia Moriarty, Professor Colette Henry and Johdi Quinn, and supported by lecturers Brenda Maxwell, Kevin McParland and Paula Mullen. The programme is run in conjunction with Louth Local Development and invaluably supported by Christina King, Tara Stacey, Jennifer Lally, Ciaran Reed, Maeve Harkin and Frank O’Brien.

The graduation proceedings kicked off with welcomes from Johdi Quinn, Lecturer & DkIT Coordinator of the Pathways & Headstart Programmes along with Christina King, Youth and Education Coordinator for Louth Local Development (LLD). The attendees were then addressed by representatives from DkIT and LLD who have been instrumental in the success of this programme.

Speaking at the ceremony, Johdi said: 

“Thank you to our Pathways 2026 graduates who have given yourselves so wholeheartedly to this courageous journey and have come back week after week with open minds and open hearts. For your one liners that have shown me you get it, your questions that show me you think critically, your honesty, your kindness to each other and your humour - Thank you. For your resilience and courage, your humanity, your spirit, our laughs during the classes and the fact that you have kept coming back – thank you. I feel privileged to have met and walked alongside each and every one of you. You have taught me so much.”

Christina added: 

“The Pathways programme is about more than education, it’s about rebuilding confidence, creating opportunity, and reminding people of their own potential. This year’s graduates have shown incredible courage and commitment, stepping back into learning with openness and determination. I remember one participant at the very beginning quietly telling me they weren’t sure if education was for them anymore, yet week by week I watched them grow in confidence, finding their voice and supporting others along the way. Moments like that capture the true impact of Pathways. It has been a privilege to witness these journeys, and graduation marks not an end, but the beginning of new possibilities for each and every one of them.”

One of the most powerful parts of the ceremony was hearing from the participants themselves, who shared the impact Pathways has had on them over the 14-week period. 

One participant said that the programme found her at the right time- 

“I was at a bit of a crossroads and Pathways helped me to press the reset button. I was so afraid of failure, but the experience has been amazing.”

Another shared how he had dropped out of third level education at a young age and how an accident had given him the push to go back to the classroom. Despite doubting himself initially, the programme was the perfect way to ease back in to education and he has applied to commence a degree programme in September. 

Kirsty Rose Dolan from Dundalk shared how the programme was a way to ‘bridge the gap from impossible to accessible.’ The 30-year-old mum of three had left school as a teenager and despite sitting her leaving certificate, never felt like education was for her. The loss of her sister, who had always encouraged her to go back to education gave her a push to apply for the Pathways programme. 

“I started Pathways for my kids, to make them proud, but I ended up staying for me. I fell in love with learning again and knowing that everyone here believed in me kept me going back.”  

She commended the Pathways team for their ability to identify each individual’s skills and make them feel worthy. Driven by her experience, Kirsty Rose is hopeful to get a place on the DkIT Access Programme and has a goal of studying Youth work, with a long-term goal of a career in the Youth Justice system. 

The follow-on programme from Pathways is the Headstart course, which is aimed at those with an interest in pursuing Higher Education and comprises of a 10- week exploration of study skills, including; academic writing, presentation skills, group work, time management, learning to learn, career guidance and assignment feedback. The next programme will commence in September 2026. For further information, contact Christina King- [email protected]

Graduates from Pathways and Headstart programmes have gone on to pursue DkIT degrees in programmes such as Social Care, Community Youth Work, Arts, Audio & Music Production, Creative Media, Hospitality Management, International Tourism, General Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Early Childhood Studies and Accountancy and Finance.