Hundreds of students walked out of lectures at University College Cork just after 11am in protest at the cost of living and accommodation crises.
The demonstrations took place at various locations throughout the campus to avoid interfering with graduation ceremonies, which were taking place at the college at the same time.
Students said they were protesting over cost-of-living increases, over the difficulties in securing accommodation and over the costs of attending college.
Among those taking part in the demonstration at UCC was Orlaith O'Byrne-Cassidy, a first year student in Theatre and Performative Practice.
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She said students like her are paying some of the highest rates in Europe for their education and "this isn't fair, this isn't right and it needs to be fixed".
They are being told, she said, they have free education, yet they have to pay €3,000 a year in Student Contribution Fees and "absurd" rates for accommodation.
She said that she pays €1,000 a month for her accommodation and does not expect it to be easier to find cheaper accommodation next year, because prices have sky-rocketed.
"They say that our education is free but yet we have to pay for our text books, pay our contribution fees, we have to pay for laptops, accommodation," Ms O'Byrne-Cassidy said.
"We have to pay so much money and they have the audacity to say that it is free?
"This is not free education".
Spaniard Alex Fueretes, who is also a first year Arts student, says it is outrageous that he has to struggle so much to study here "in a country that he loves".
He could not find reasonably priced accommodation and says he is now spending €1,000 a month.
He added that he cannot work as he does not have a social security number.
Mr Fueretes said that he pays €3,000 in fees and was told that "this is a privilege, while my international peers have to pay double or triple and I don't even get back the grand that the Government gives me".
For Sinead Roche, Communications and Engagement Officer with UCC's Students' Union, Budget 2023 had nothing for students describing the once-off €1,000 reduction as nothing more than "a plaster, a bandaid".
What needs to happen, she said, is funding from the State for university students.
"Students are sleeping in cars, students are trying to sleep in the library," Ms Roche said.
"Again and again, we are seeing students struggling with accommodation, with the cost of living over and over again."
She added that this is not a new issue.
"It has been three years in a row that the Budget hasn't even mentioned student accommodation, that is insane," she said.
"That is why we are here. That is why all these students have come out here today to protest against it. They are sick of it.
"They had to walk out of their lectures at 11.11 this morning to make their voices heard."
Reporting: Paschal Sheehy and Jennie O'Sullivan
