LOR for Ireland: Sample, Guidelines, and Requirements at Top Universities

Highlights -

Format - The Format of LOR for Ireland should have an introduction about how the recommender knows you, and their assessment of you as a person. The LOR should not be more than one page and within 300 words.
Key components - Some key points that should be included in the LOR are academic achievements, teamwork and leadership skills, intellectual abilities, etc.
Requirements - Most universities require two academic LORs, except those with a master's program. They need one academic and one professional LOR.
Structure- LORs for Ireland are usually in the form of questionnaires, and you need to submit a hard copy of the LOR in Ireland, unlike other countries.

LOR for Ireland is used by the admission committee as a tool to verify the claims you have made, regarding your achievements and other information to assess your candidature. An LOR for Ireland is a statement written by your academic professor or supervisor about you, your contribution to the college, your achievements, and how you will be an asset to the university you are applying. LOR for Ireland template is distinct in its format yet personal tone. If you wish to write a LOR for Irish Universities, you should focus on interpersonal skills and academic achievements. In contrast to other countries, where LORs can be more formal and less narrative in nature, the best LOR examples include a more detailed personal context and offer a structured portrayal of the candidate. LOR for Ireland from professor is needed if you are applying for a bachelor's or a master's program in a university.

Most of the universities in Ireland require an academic letter of recommendation. However, universities with management and research-based courses may ask for professional LORs from your employer. There are two types of LOR required in Ireland - academic and professional. The LORs for Ireland Universities differ from other countries. But How to start a LOR?

Academic LORs are usually in the form of a questionnaire. The teacher or professor is sent a questionnaire to assess your skills and personality. Most universities require two LORs.
You need to submit hard copies of LORs in Ireland, which is not the case for other countries like the UK, USA, or Australia.
The letter of recommendation Ireland must contain two of these things: the referee’s connection with you and his/her assessment of you as a person. Remember that the LOR must not be more than 200–300 words long.
In the introduction, the referee should mention their connection with you. The body should be of 2 to 3 paragraphs. A brief introduction about the recommender, their designation, and the nature of the work is also required.

LOR for Ireland template must contain some of the points that will make you stand out from the crowd -

Academic prowess
Intellectual ability
Research skills
Written or oral communication skills
Teamwork/leadership
Ability to organize workload/time management
Originality/innovativeness

Table of Content

Format of an LOR
Requirements
Dos and Don'ts While Writing
Sample Professional LOR
Sample Academic LOR

Format of an LOR

Universities in Ireland generally send a link to the portal to the recommender’s email address. The recommender has to fill in the LOR content directly onto the portal or fill out the questionnaire. You can be asked to send LORs in hard copies or in PDFs for universities that do not accept LORs through the links. In that case, the LORs should be printed on the official letterhead of the recommender’s institution, along with the recommender’s original signature and the institution’s seal and stamp. The format of the LOR is discussed below -

Introduction - Briefly introduce yourself. Mention your relationship with the student and how long have you known them. Also, mention the program they are applying for.
Academic strengths - You have to highlight the student’s academic achievements and qualities relevant to the program. Use specific examples from coursework, projects, or research experiences.
Qualities and skills - Discuss the students’ personal qualities and professional skills that would benefit them in the program and their future careers.
Conclusion - Summarize the key points and strongly emphasize why the student is a great candidate for the program.

LOR for Ireland: Requirements at Top Irish Universities

The Letter of recommendation guidelines and requirements at top universities in Ireland are tabulated below:

University Name	LOR for UG	LOR for PG	LOR for MBA
Trinity College Dublin	2 Academic LORs	2 Academic LORs	2 Academic LORs
University College Dublin	2 Academic LORs	1 Academic & 1 Professional LOR (Recommended)	2 Professional LORs
University College Cork	2 Academic LORs	1 Academic LOR (Recommended)	2 Academic LORs
National University of Ireland	1 Academic LOR	2 Academic LORs	1 Academic & 1 Professional LOR (Recommended)
University of Limerick	Not Required	1 Academic & 1 Professional LOR (Recommended)	2 Professional LORs
Technological University Dublin	2 Academic LORs	2 Academic LORs	1 Professional LOR
Maynooth University	Not Required	2 Academic LORs	2 Academic LORs

Dos and Don'ts While Writing a Letter of Recommendation

Below is a table of some of the things you must follow and some you should strictly avoid while writing an Ireland reference letter-

Do’s	Don't's
Choose faculty members who know your personal characteristics, professionalism, achievements, and academic potential	Do not use someone as a reference without their permission and consent.
Ask your professor 4–6 weeks before the application deadlines so that they have enough time.	Do not get upset if your professor declines to write an LOR for you.
You must provide them with correct and details information about the program you are applying for. Make sure to tell them about the specific LOR requirements.	Do not provide them with vague information, as this may lead to providing wrong information in your LOR.
One week before the application deadline, do send your referees an email, reminding them to send the LOR if they have not done so.	Do not forget to say thank you to each of your recommenders once they have sent the LORs to the universities.

Tips to write an LOR for Ireland Universities

Research the specific program and align the LOR content to match their vision and requirements. For instance, a technology program may value innovation and problem-solving skills, while a humanities course, might prioritize critical thinking and creativity.
Use specific examples where the student demonstrated exceptional skills or qualities. For example, mention a project where the student showcased outstanding research skills or leadership abilities.
LOR samples for masters in Ireland ask you to combine academic and professional insights. If you're a teacher, discuss academic achievements and if you're an employer, focus on work ethic and professional skills.
Use data and numbers to quantify achievements, wherever necessary. For example, "led a team of 10 in a successful project" or "improved efficiency by 20% through innovative strategies."
Lastly, ensure that the LOR is grammatically correct and plagiarism-free.

Sample Professional LOR for Ireland

To whomsoever, it may concern, I am immensely pleased to write this Letter of Recommendation for Atul Bhardwaj, who worked in my team as an Executive Assistant - Sales from May 2020 through Jan 2023. During this tenure, Atul came across as a highly sincere, dedicated, and thorough professional with impeccable knowledge of sales and marketing concepts and a drive to achieve targets. Atul joined my team in 2020 and was responsible for meeting the monthly sales targets for the company. Watching him work zealously and enthusiastically and take the initiative in delivering projects beyond expectation was a delight. This was Atul's second job, and his application of the knowledge and skills gained in his first work experience could be seen in his endeavors. What struck me most about Atul's personality, in general, was his readiness to assume responsibility and any challenge that came by. The global lockdown phase in 2020 severely impacted sales worldwide, and our organization sadly took the hit. However, Atul could be seen working hard to meet client targets and satisfy their expectations beyond demand. He indeed demonstrated that he is a valuable asset to not only the Sales team of our company but also the organization in general. I understand that his keen interest and passion in the field of sales have driven him to take a break in his career and go back to pursuing advanced sales and marketing studies to fine-tune his skills further. To pursue his dream and take the next step toward the pinnacle of success, Atul has applied for an MBA in Sales & Marketing from your esteemed institution. He wishes to know more and learn greater skills in the domain, which can be used to his and the company's advantage. I can personally vouch for Atul and assure you of his consistent and continual performance throughout the year. His dedication and commitment to goals are what helps him stand out from the crowd. I am confident that Atul would be a valuable asset to any organization or institution he becomes a part of. As a person, he has an extremely pleasing and positive personality that enumerates confidence. Moreover, another highly commendable trait that Atul possesses is his constant yearning for knowledge and learning, which helps him to keep upgrading his skills and abilities with time. Skill upgrade is a vital and almost indispensable requisite in today's professional world. Therefore, I am pleased that Atul is prepared to handle work challenges in the sales and marketing domain by knowing exactly when and how to upgrade his knowledge base to perform and deliver better than the best. On that note, I humbly request you to kindly consider Atul's application for an MBA in Sales & Marketing. He has a hoard of knowledge and relevant skills required for sales professionals. His passion for marketing and promotions is genuinely enviable, and I am extremely confident that with the right attitude and degree under his collar, Atul will surely make a name for himself in the years to come. If you wish to seek any more professional details regarding Atul's professional mannerisms and personality traits, please do not hesitate to contact me at the following address or number. I would be happy to offer any assistance in the matter. Yours truly, Rakesh Sharma VP-Sales and Marketing Axis Technologies, Inc. Email:wwwww@axis.co.in Tel: +91 xxxxx xxxxx

Sample Academic LOR for Ireland

I, Pradeep Mathur, Head of the Department of Biochemistry at St. Xavier’s College, Bangalore, take extreme pleasure in writing this Letter of Recommendation for Shalini Bhalla, a brilliant Undergraduate student of Biochemistry at our university. I have had the pleasure of teaching Shalini for 4 years as part of her course at the college, during which I have known her to be a highly motivated and sincere student. Shalini can be easily described as an all-rounder - academically and personally. A top scorer every year, she goes the extra mile to help her fellow students learn and achieve their academic goals, which speaks a lot about her altruistic personality. This particularly came to my notice in the First Year of the UG course when I saw Shalini devoting her time and efforts after college hours to help a fellow student who was particularly weak in one of the semester subjects. Seeing her keen interest in helping others, I recommended her name to the university for the tutoring council, which comprises hard-working and brilliant students who are asked to share their knowledge and learning with their peers in an attempt to grow and excel together. Shalini also showed a keen interest in extracurricular activities, mainly Fine Arts. During her course tenure, she has regularly participated in several arts and painting competitions at the university and inter-college levels. She has always displayed exemplary performance in each of them. She was approached by one of the Art Societies in Bangalore to conduct her Exhibition of Arts at the H.A.L Fine Arts Society in Bangalore in 2022, which was a commendable success. In addition to her academic and non-scholastic qualities, Shalini also displays some remarkable traits in her persona - leadership, teamwork, creativity, and adaptability to any person or situation. Furthermore, Shalini is extremely agreeable and conscientious. I would only be delighted to recommend her for the next step of career growth she wishes to pursue - a Master's in Biochemistry at your esteemed university. I have no doubts in affirming that Shalini would continue to exhibit the same values and skills during her Master's, which she brought to the table during her Bachelor's at our university. I wish her all the best in all her endeavors, with the hope and confidence that she will be a valuable asset to every institution and organization that she becomes a part of in the future. Yours truly, Pradeep Mathur Hod, Biochemistry St. Xavier’s College, Bangalore, India Tel: +91 xxxxx xxxxx professional Email ID

Writing an LOR is simple if you follow the tips and tricks mentioned above. LOR is an essential part of your application in Ireland, and having an impactful LOR from your professor or employer can increase your chances of being selected for your desired program.

FAQs

Ques. What is a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) and why is it required for Irish universities?

Ans. A LOR is a document written by a teacher, counselor, or other individuals who can attest to an applicant's academic abilities and personal qualities. Irish universities often require LORs to gain insight into the applicant's suitability for their programs.

Ques. How many LORs do I need to apply to universities in Ireland?

Ans. The number of LORs required can vary between universities and programs. Typically, one to three letters are requested. It's important to review each university's specific requirements.

Ques. Who should I ask to write my LOR?

Ans. Ideally, LORs should be written by individuals who know you well and can provide meaningful insights into your academic abilities, character, and potential for success in higher education. This could include teachers, professors, employers, or mentors.

Ques. Do LORs need to be written on official letterhead?

Ans. While it's not always required, having the LOR written on official letterhead can add credibility to the document. It's best to check with each university to see if they have specific formatting preferences.

Ques. Can I see the contents of my LOR before it is submitted?

Ans. Generally, LORs are confidential documents, and you may not have access to their contents. However, you can discuss with the person writing your LOR about the strengths and experiences you would like them to highlight.

Ques. Is there a preferred format or template for LORs?

Ans. While there's no universal format, LORs should typically include an introduction of the writer, their relationship with the applicant, specific examples of the applicant's abilities and achievements, and a conclusion summarizing their recommendation.

Ques. Should LORs be submitted electronically or by mail?

Ans. Most universities in Ireland prefer electronic submissions through their online application portals. However, it's essential to check each university's instructions to ensure compliance with their submission requirements.

Ques. Is there a deadline for submitting LORs?

Ans. Yes, each university will specify deadlines for submitting application materials, including LORs. It's crucial to adhere to these deadlines to ensure your application is considered.

Ques. Can I submit additional LORs beyond the required number?

Ans. Some universities may allow additional LORs, but it's essential to review their guidelines carefully. Submitting more LORs than requested could potentially overwhelm admissions committees.

Ques. Should LORs be tailored to each university I apply to?

Ans. While the core content of your LORs will likely remain consistent, it's a good idea for the writer to personalize each letter to some extent, highlighting why you are a strong fit for the specific program or university.

Ques. What language should LORs be written in?

Ans. LORs for universities in Ireland should typically be written in English, as it is the primary language of instruction. If the writer is not proficient in English, the LOR may need to be translated by a certified translator.

Ques. Do universities in Ireland require LORs for all programs?

Ans. Not all programs may require LORs, but many do, especially at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It's essential to review the specific requirements of each program you are applying to.