Carlow College staff and students declare: "Whose college? Our college."

Students and staff at Carlow College staged a protest at the college today to highlight the ongoing uncertainty surrounding its future.

Stef Hanlon, who is a lecturer in Social, Political and Community Studies at Carlow College, called on Higher Education Minister James Lawless (FF) and Carlow-based Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor (FF), to directly address students and staff and to clarify what lies ahead.

Jay Kenny, who is a Third Year Arts & Humanities student at Carlow College, spoke to KCLR News following this afternoon’s protest and underlined the college’s personal and social significance to both him and successive generations of students.

The protest, which was organised by the Carlow College Staff Action Group, calling for greater transparency regarding the decisions that led to the college’s scheduled closure in 2028 and subsequent handover to South East Technological University (SETU).

This followed SETU’s decision, following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, not to fully release the Mazars consultants’ report that informed the decision to close Carlow College.

This afternoon’s protest was addressed by Carlow College lecturers Steph Hanlon, Dr John McHugh and Dr Regina Donlon, along with students Jay Kenny and Dermot Commins.

Funded by the News Reporting Scheme with thanks to Coimisiún na Meán.

Tweet Pin On Air Now On Air Now The Home Run 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Vinny Bradley Recent News Miriam Boush co-opted onto Carlow County Council by Dermot Keyes 02/11/2026

KCLR is Kilkenny and Carlow’s favourite local radio station, with the very best of local up-to-the-minute news and sport with great music and entertainment seven days a week.

Kilkenny 96.0FM Kilkenny South 96.0FM Johnstown / Urlingford 96.6FM Kilkenny Main 94.6FM Graiguenamanagh

Broadcast Centre, Leggettsrath Business Park, Carlow Road, Kilkenny R95 YTD5

Copyright © 2026 CK Broadcasting / KCLR · Reg #355699 Leggettsrath Business Park, Carlow Road, Kilkenny R95 YTD5