UL graduate ‘paying it forward’ with Philadelphia Marathon charity run

A University of Limerick graduate will hold the Treaty County close to her heart as runs the Philadelphia Marathon in aid of children attending University Hospital Limerick.

Cliona McNamara, currently completing her MBA at Fairfield University in Connecticut, will don her race number on 22 November to raise funds for the Children’s Ark at UHL – a Department of Education school that caters to the educational needs of children and young people during their hospital stay.

Originally from Scariff in County Clare, Cliona – a graduate of International Business from UL and the recipient of the 2025 Conlisk Scholarship – explained how witnessing the work that the Ark does for children and their families first-hand inspired her to take on the challenge.

“What struck me most is how the Ark brings school to children during their hospital stay, so being unwell doesn’t mean falling behind. Education has opened every door for me, from UL to Fairfield, so I wanted to support a place that helps children keep learning when they need it most,” said Cliona.

“The marathon is a big personal challenge, but it feels like a small thing next to what those children and families face. Knowing who I’m running for will definitely carry me through the tough miles!”

The achievement will cap what has been a “really special” year for Cliona, who moved to the US just days after graduating from UL in August 2025 to undertake an MBA with a concentration in Analytics. Due to graduate in December, she reflected on her experience at Fairfield – a campus and town that now “feels like a second home”.

“Coming over on my own was daunting, but I was lucky to move into a house with a great group of American girls who’ve become close friends of mine. They made me feel at home straight away,” said Cliona.

“The course has been a good mix of the technical and the practical… A lot of the work is project-based with real companies, so you’re putting what you learn into practice straight away. Coming from International Business at UL, I had a good grounding in the business side, but analytics was new to me, and I’ve really enjoyed learning it.”

Highlights of Cliona’s stateside adventure include a summer internship with MS Transverse Insurance Group in New York City along with being named among Fairfield Dolan’s 30 Under 30 – a prestigious honour that recognises business students for achievement across societal impact, academics and professional development. 

Cliona was “genuinely shocked” to receive the honour: “For me, it isn’t really an individual award. It reflects the people who got me here: my family and friends, whose work ethic I’ve always tried to live up to; my lecturers at UL and Fairfield; and the Conlisk Scholarship, which made this whole chapter possible.

“The ceremony in April was a lovely evening, and it was a chance to stop and appreciate how far I’d come since arriving. It also motivates me to keep paying it forward through service and leadership, because so many people have done that for me.”

While she may have graduated from her alma mater more than a year ago, UL has continued to play an important role in Cliona’s day-to-day life, from the knowledge learned and values nurtured to the Conlisk community connection.

“The biggest lesson UL taught me is to say yes to opportunities, even when they push me out of my comfort zone. Choosing Arizona for Erasmus, staying in the USA for my co-op, applying for the Conlisk Scholarship with no real expectations: each time I took a chance, it opened a door I never could have imagined. That mindset is what brought me to Fairfield, and it’s something I’ll keep with me wherever I go next,” said Cliona.

“My work as a note-taker with the Disability Services Office was another big part of my time there. It reminded me how important it is to give back and to make education accessible to everyone, and that’s a big part of why the Children’s Ark means so much to me now.

“More than anything, though, it’s the people at UL who have stayed with me. I was lucky to have lecturers like Jean McCarthy and Yvonne Costin, who encouraged me, pushed me and always made time to help. Their belief in me gave me the confidence to aim higher than I might have on my own. I’m also still in touch with Gavin Connell in UL Careers, who has been a huge support from my co-op search right through to my applications now. It means a lot to know that even 3,000 miles away, there are people at UL who are still in my corner.

“Twelve months on, I’m still leaning on the UL network, whether that’s catching up with fellow Conlisk scholars in Connecticut, getting advice from alumni about jobs, or just meeting another Limerick graduate and instantly having something in common.”

While “Ireland will always be home”, for now, Cliona plans to remain in the US and pursue further exciting opportunities. As well as exploring marketing roles that will marry her business background with her analytics skills, Cliona is in the process of setting up her own career guidance business.

Looking to the future, Cliona added: “UL gave me independence, confidence and a community, and I know those will stay with me long after I’ve left Fairfield too.”