A 90-year old Irish immigrant originally from the remote Blasket islands has announced a 1,000 euro bursary for Irish language students.

Micheal O'Cearna said the new bursary is aimed at highlighting the importance of education and stimulating interest in the heritage of the Blasket islands.

The bursary will be awarded to one Leaving Certificate student every year, based on their examination results and an interview.

The successful student must achieve a minimum B1 grade in Irish, must sit the Leaving Certificate in Irish and must also be in receipt of an Irish language grant.

Prospective students should also have an interest in the Blasket Islands, and their chosen university course should have some connection to the Blaskets, including areas such as the arts, Irish language, history and related subjects.

Micheal O'Cearna left the Great Blasket Island in 1937 and emigrated to the US in 1948. Today he lives in Springfield, Massachusetts, where many fellow Blasket natives also settled.