A former DEIS school pupil who achieved her dream of becoming a barrister is hoping other students follow her path.
Rebecca Hanratty, from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, was inspired to become a barrister after being gifted Mary Robinson’s biography as a teenager. She followed in her role model’s footsteps and studied Law and French at Trinity College Dublin.
She qualified as a barrister after being awarded the Denham Fellowship, which provides financial support and mentorship to people from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ms Hanratty has been supporting the Bar of Ireland’s ‘Look Into Law’ programme for Transition Year students, which she herself attended nine years ago.
The programme brings together pupils from 100 schools, including 27 DEIS schools, to provide them with an insight into what a career in law is like.
On International Women’s Day, watch our video to find out why Ms Hanratty believes a career at the Bar is “possible for everyone”.
