Three leading figures in business, journalism and culture were awarded honorary doctorates yesterday by the University of Limerick for their “unique contributions” to Irish society.
The head of Google Ireland, John Herlihy, said he was “thrilled and very proud” to receive an honorary Doctorate of Economic Science. Addressing the country’s economic outlook, the businessman praised the IDA as “one of the best sales forces in the world”.
The former editor of The Irish Times, Geraldine Kennedy, said she was "honoured" to receive a Doctorate of Letters for her investigative political reporting in a career spanning nearly 40 years.
A posthumous Doctorate of Letters was bestowed to Muiris Ó Rócháin (1944-2011) who set up the Willie Clancy Summer School. Accepting the award, his widow, Una, said: “It’s a very, very happy and joyful occasion. Of course it’s sad, but I’m not thinking of the sad side of it.”