The Senate of the National University of Ireland is to confer honorary degrees on soon-to-be Cardinal Dr Desmond Connell, the current Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland; the chancellor of the University of Limerick, Dr Miriam Hederman O'Brien; Professor Gerald McKenna, vice-chancellor of the University of Ulster; and John Wilson, former Tanaiste, minister, teacher and university lecturer.

The degrees will be awarded at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on Tuesday, March 20th, by the NUI's chancellor, Dr Garret Fitzgerald.