Nursing students at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) will soon gain new clinical learning experiences in community-based older persons care settings, thanks to a partnership with Céile Care.
The collaboration will allow students on the BSc (Hons) in General Nursing and BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing programmes to undertake clinical placements in two Céile Care nursing homes—one in Marymount in Lucan and one in Curragh Lawn, Curragh, Co. Kildare —with further expansion planned across the Céile Care network. Clearbrook Nursing Home in Finglas is the third Ceile Care facility to partner with TUS and will sign an MOU in the coming weeks.
Through this partnership, students will gain first-hand insight into the daily lives, needs, and supports of older people living in long-term care communities. The experience will enhance their learning and capabilities to deliver compassionate, person-centred, and evidence-based nursing care in both residential and community settings.
Memorandums of Understanding were signed at the Athlone campus by Frances O’Connell, Vice President for Student Education and Experience, TUS, andConor Mc Nulty, representing Marymount Care Centre and by Val Ryan representing Curragh Lawn Nursing home, both Nursing homes under the umbrella of Céile Care.
This initiative builds on a series of recent TUS developments expanding community-focused learning. Earlier this year, TUS introduced clinical placements in GP surgeries, giving students exposure to primary-care pathways. Students also engage in specialist renal-care placements: in June 2025, TUS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Fresenius Medical Care, Kilkenny, enabling students to gain experience in dialysis services and renal management within a dedicated kidney-unit environment. Most recently, TUS formalised a partnership with Sacred Heart School, Mullingar, enabling students to learn in an inclusive educational setting supporting children with additional and complex needs.
The partnership with Céile Care marks another significant step in strengthening TUS’s engagement with healthcare providers embedded in local communities, supporting the development of well-rounded, adaptable healthcare professionals.
Céile Care, Ireland’s largest collective of family owned, family-run nursing homes, promotes collaboration, shared learning, and sustainability across the independent nursing home sector. Members work together on governance, quality improvement, workforce development, and innovation—ensuring that family owned, family-run homes continue to play a vital role in Ireland’s long-term care landscape.
Frances O’Connell, Vice President for Student Education and Experience at TUS, welcomed the development:
“This partnership strengthens our commitment to practical, community-based education. By learning in family-run nursing homes, our students gain invaluable insight into the lived experiences of older people, develop the adaptability required in modern healthcare, and deepen their understanding of person-centred, inclusive care.”
A spokesperson for Céile Care Margaret Wafer added:
“We are delighted to partner with TUS in supporting the next generation of nurses. Family-run nursing homes are rooted in community values; welcoming students into these settings provides them with real-world experience while contributing to a sustainable, skilled future workforce for Ireland’s long-term care sector.”
Anne Cooney, Clinical Allocations Manager, Department of Nursing and Healthcare, TUS, stated:
“This development enriches our students’ exposure to elder care in supportive, person-centred environments. It builds on the strong community-based learning pathways we have created across primary care, disability services, and residential care.”
This initiative aligns with the new Standards of Nurse Education developed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI, 2025), which emphasise flexible, community-engaged, and person-centred education.
