The University of Limerick has bestowed its highest honour on four of its outstanding graduates at the annual Alumni Awards Gala Dinner.
Hosted annually by the UL Alumni organisation, the annual event celebrates the outstanding achievements of graduates. The event took place at Castletroy Park Hotel on November 9 and was the 14th staging of the awards. The 2019 recipients are:
Tipperary woman Maeve Lewis, Executive Director of One in Four, the Irish Charity Supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, who was honoured for her contribution to society; Laois businessman Mark Sheeran, Managing Director of Irish manufacturing firm CJS, who was honoured for his contribution to Business; Eleven times All-Ireland medallist, Cork Footballer Brid Stack, who was honoured for her contribution to Sport; and former Chief Technology Officer and VP at Analog Devices, Limerick man Peter Real, who died earlier this year and was honoured posthumously for his contribution to Science and Technology.
Speaking at the Awards presentation, UL President Dr Des Fitzgerald, said: “The Alumni Awards programme is designed to recognise graduates who have made an outstanding contribution in particular fields and we have added four more amazing people to an extraordinary cohort of 43 recipients since its establishment in 2006. As UL alumni, Maeve, Peter, Mark and Brid have excelled in their careers. With each achievement, their careers have progressed to new heights and elevated UL and the alumni by association. This year’s award recipients represent all that is good about our alumni and are sources of inspiration for our current and future students.”
With Bank of Ireland as Main Sponsor, the Awards took place at Limerick’s Castletroy Park Hotel, with UL alumna Ruth Scott, Radio and TV Presenter as Event MC.
Over 220 guests from the University, business and wider community attended this black-tie dinner which was also supported by Analog Devices Ireland, Cantor Fitzgerald, GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), Ronan Daly Jermyn (RDJ) Solicitors and Stryker Ireland.
Since its inception in 2006, only forty-seven from a global alumni community of 100,000 have now received this prestigious honour. Previous recipients include rugby legend Tony Ward, composer Patrick Cassidy, leading academic Professor Brigid Laffan and former Riverdance star Jean Butler.