Westmeath native graduates at age 86

A Westmeath native is Maynooth University’s oldest graduate of the Class of 2023, and at 86 years one of the oldest ever graduates.

Phil Devitt was awarded a BA in Community Studies at the summer conferring ceremonies at the Kildare university.

Originally from Clonmirrell, Lisclogher, close to the Westmeath border with Meath and Athboy, the co-founder of the successful Newlands Gardening Centre in Dublin pursued a Return to Learning course at Maynooth University some years ago, and later opted for a degree course, committing to four years of study.

Having travelled and worked with her husband of 56 years, Phil said her motivation to apply to university for the first time after he died six years ago. “After Mike passed away in July 2017, my life took a different path. I was living alone, and decided to go to Maynooth to meet new friends and get out of my comfort zone,” she said.

“From my studies, I met great lecturers and made wonderful friends. I did classes at night and the other students were great and walked me to and from my car on dark evenings. They were extremely kind and I enjoyed every moment.”

Her studies kept her mind occupied and focused, particularly during Covid, she added. “If there’s a little message to anyone, it’s that every day you can learn something, and age is only a number,” she said.

Maynooth University president, Professor Eeva Leinonen, paid tribute to Phil, and congratulated all graduates conferred.

“She is a true inspiration in showing us the way forward by embracing the challenges and rewards of lifelong learning and education,” Prof Leinonen said.

Attending the conferring ceremony were Phil’s daughters Marie Kennedy and Denise Evans, son Tomás and other family members including grandchildren.

Describing her mother as kind to everyone, Marie described her example as an inspiration, spurring her grandson’s return to university to study engineering as a mature student.

“She didn’t have an opportunity to go to college when she was a young person and she was adamant that her children would,” Marie said.

Her family members are no strangers to university life, as Phil’s niece, Dr Jackie Nugent is a biology lecturer at Maynooth University and was also encouraging of her aunt’s studies.

Dr Derek Barter, coordinator of Continuing Education Programmes at Maynooth University, said: “Phil exemplifies the real meaning of Lifelong Learning. She’s been an inspiration to all of us lucky enough to have taught her and is one of the reasons Adult Education is so valuable and rewarding.”