THE University of Limerick has conferred honorary doctorates on six exceptional people from the worlds of humanitarianism, business, the arts and the public sector.
Josephine Feehily, chairperson of the Police Authority, first female chairperson of the Revenue Commissioners, chair of the World Customs Organisation and chair of the OECD Forum for Tax Administration was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Economic Science.
Michael Flatley, dancer, choreographer, and musician, internationally known for Irish dance shows Riverdance, Warlords, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.
Ali Hewson, activist and humanitarian and recipient of the Princess Grace Humanitarian Award, was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.
Peter Malone, former chairman of the National Roads Authority, Aviva, CBRE Gunne Property Group and the Business Tourism Forum and former Chancellor of the University of Limerick was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Economic Science.
Adi Roche, founder of the Chernobyl Children’s Project International, was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.
Professor John Cleland Watson Wylie, professor of law and primary draftsman of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009, was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
UL President Professor Don Barry said the conferring ceremony was a very special event for people at the university.
“It is the day when we get the opportunity to honour those who have inspired, who have led with courage and passion and who have made great contributions in their fields of endeavour.
“We have bestowed upon these outstanding individuals the University of Limerick’s highest honour and invite them to take their place in the history of this institution,” he said.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.