News Stories

Events: 08 May 2023

Celebrating 20 years of the McCarthy Bursary and the launch of the Fundraising Campaign

Celebrating 20 years of the McCarthy Bursary and the launch of the Fundraising Campaign

In partnership with The Bar of Ireland, King’s Inns is hosting an event to celebrate 20 years of the McCarthy Bursary and its impact in promoting diversity and inclusion at the Bar on Thursday, May 18, from 6 pm to 7.30 pm. 

The celebratory event will also mark the launch of the McCarthy Bursary Fundraising Campaign.

Open to all members of King’s Inns, the event will be hosted in the King’s Inns Dining Hall (Constitution Hill, Dublin 7).

You will hear about

  • The McCarthy family’s aspiration to broaden the accessibility base and break down barriers to entry at the Bar.
  • King’s Inns continuous support through 20 years of partnership with the McCarthy Bursary.
  • How to donate and help promote diversity and inclusion at the Bar.

Contribute to its future

King’s Inns and the McCarthy family are asking members, friends and the wider alumni community of King’s Inns, to contribute to the legacy of the McCarthy Bursary and guarantee its future.

From as little as €50.00, your donation will make it possible to carry on this unique memorial and to promote King’s Inns continuing commitment to equal access and social justice.

Donate Online Here >

Learn more about the Fundraising Campaign and what McCarthy Scholars receive here >

Register to attend

If you would like to attend this celebratory event, RSVP to undertreasurer@kingsinns.ie by 5 pm on Monday, May 15.

About the McCarthy Bursary 

The Niall and Barbara McCarthy Bursary was established by the McCarthy family and King’s Inns in memory of the late Mr. Justice McCarthy and his wife, Barbara, who died in a road traffic accident in 1992.

In 2002, on the tenth anniversary of the death of their parents, the adult McCarthy children created the McCarthy Bursary, making a generous contribution with further support provided by McCarthy friends, members of the Judiciary, the Bar, and friends of King’s Inns.

McCarthy

PICTURE OF THE LATE MR. JUSTICE MCCARTHY WITH HIS WIFE BARBARA WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE SUPREME COURT IN 1982

At the time of the launch of the Bursary, the Irish Times recalled the description of Niall McCarthy in the newspaper’s obituary as “a man whose concern for the oppressed constituted a golden thread through his rightly acclaimed judgments”. And it was said that “his special distinction was in presenting the law not as cold abstracted logic, but an instrument with real human consequences.” His wife, Barbara, was equally rich in intellect and passion for life. The couple were a dedicated team who enriched the lives of those around them.

King’s Inns and the McCarthy family have been committed to reflecting this idea in the award of the Bursary by selecting a recipient that has experienced some kind of challenge or disadvantage in their life and who would be able to use their insights and experiences in their practice as a barrister.

Learn more about the McCarthy Bursary here >