October 2013 Autumn Conferrings at NUI Galway

Six Honorary Masters Degrees will also be presented

Almost 4,000 students will graduate from NUI Galway during the Autumn Conferring Ceremonies which take place from 19-25 October. NUI Galway will also confer six Honorary Masters Degrees during the ceremonies on Lorna Siggins, Michael Murphy, Bernard Kirk, Liam Mac Con Iomaire, Micheál Ó Conghaile and Thomas Roche.

Lorna Siggins - Masters of Arts honoris causa:  Lorna is The Irish Times Western and Marine Correspondent since 1998. Born in Scotland to Sligo parents, Lorna was educated in Glasgow, Kildare and Dublin, where she studied Arts at TCD. After teaching in the Middle East for a year Lorna took up journalism, beginning as a freelancer and in 1988 she joined The Irish Times where she spent ten years based in their Dublin newsroom. In 1993, she spent seven weeks with Dawson Stelfox, the first Irishman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and his team in the Himalayas. She is also a published author on Everest, the volunteer sea rescue services, former President Mary Robinson and the Corrib Gas controversy in Mayo.

Michael Murphy - Masters of Arts honoris causa: Born in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Michael is a UCD graduate. After a long career as a newscaster with RTÉ, he left to pursue his interest in psychoanalysis. He now combines his practice as a psychoanalyst, lectures in the subject at St Vincent's Hospital and UCD, while maintaining a broadcasting career with RTÉ. His 2009 memoir detailing his battle with prostate cancer also addressed child abuse and sexuality. The memoir received critical acclaim, was followed by a collection of poetry and a second memoir is due for publication. 

Bernard Kirk - Masters of Science honoris causa: Director of the Galway Education Centre.  Born in Cork, he taught in Claregalway primary school for 13 years.  He is co-founder of Robotics Ireland, the All Ireland Primary Schools Debating Competition and Space Camps Ireland.  He chairs the Galway Music Residency. His committee memberships include NUI Galway's University's Research Ethics Committee, National Education Committee and TCD's Science Gallery.

Liam Mac Con Iomaire - Masters of Arts honoris causa: Born in Casla, he trained as a primary school teacher before joining RTÉ as part of the Nuacht desk. He worked as a journalist, newsreader and sub-editor. He moved to UCD as Director of the Modern Irish Languge Laboratory. Liam is a long-time collaborator of Tim Robinson and has translated a number of Robinson’s works along with other author’s works. He also founded Sean Nós Cois Life. Widely published, his scholarship in journalism, communications and the Irish language are renowned.

Micheál Ó Conghaile - Masters of Arts honoris causa: Micheál is a creative writer, social historian and cultural innovator in the fields of literary and music publishing. He founded Irish-language publishing company Cló Iar-Chonnachta in 1985. As well as his own creative literary work, he has translated plays The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Lonesome West and the Irish-language film Kings; and edited a short story anthology for teenagers. His awards include the Butler Literary Award of the Irish American Cultural Institute and a Hennessy Literary Award. He was writer-in-residence at Queen's University, Belfast and at the University of Ulster between 1999 and 2002. His works have been translated into Romanian, Croatian, Albanian, German and English.

Thomas Roche - Masters of Engineering honoris causa: Inventor, industrialist, entrepreneur, farmer and community activist who has invented machinery for electricity and telecom industry across the world, Thomas is originally from East Galway. He invented the internationally renowned ‘Pole Erector’ which while attached to a JCB can erect a thirty foot pole for electricity and telephone supplies, which has been exported internationally. Thomas established his own manufacturing company, Roche Manufacturing Ltd., and designed a range of industry and agriculture products under the brand name ‘Roco’. Throughout the years Thomas has received many awards from the IDA, the Irish Trade Board and Enterprise Ireland amongst others.

Commenting on the conferring of this year's graduands, Dr Jim Browne, President of NUI Galway, said: “NUI Galway is fortunate to be associated with many outstanding honorary graduates throughout its history. This week we are proud to honour Lorna Siggins, Michael Murphy, Bernard Kirk, Liam Mac Con Iomaire, Micheál Ó Conghaile and Thomas Roche. Each of these individuals has made an outstanding and distinctive contribution to the diverse fields of journalism, broadcasting, education, literature and engineering innovation.  NUI Galway is very pleased to be in a position to recognise their exceptional talents and achievements.”

The annual Autumn Conferring Ceremonies will begin with the Adult and Continuing Education ceremonies, where awards will be conferred on over 950 students who completed their certificate, diploma and degree courses at many locations across the country.

-ENDS-

Bronnadh an Fhómhair in OÉ Gaillimh

Bronnfar Sé Chéim Mháistreachta Oinigh chomh maith

Bainfidh beagnach 4,000 mac léinn céim amach in OÉ Gaillimh sna Searmanais Bronnta Céime a bheidh ar bun idir an 19-25 Deireadh Fómhair. Bronnfaidh OÉ Gaillimh Céim Mháistreachta Oinigh ar an seisear seo a leanas: Lorna Siggins, Michael Murphy, Bernard Kirk, Liam Mac Con Iomaire, Micheál Ó Conghaile agus Thomas Roche.

Lorna Siggins - Céim Mháistreachta Oinigh sna Dána honoris causa:  Tá Lorna ina Comhfhreagraí ag an Irish Times ar chúrsaí mara agus an Iarthair ó 1998. Rugadh san Albain í ach b’as Sligeach a muintir. Fuair sí a cuid oideachais i nGlaschú, i gCill Dara agus i mBaile Átha Cliath áit a ndearna sí staidéar ar na Dána i gColáiste na Tríonóide. Chaith Lorna bliain ag múineadh sa Mheánoirthear sular thug sí aghaidh ar shaol na hiriseoireachta. Thosaigh sí amach mar shaoririseoir agus ansin i 1988 thosaigh sí ag obair leis an Irish Times áit ar chaith sí deich mbliana sa seomra nuachta i mBaile Átha Cliath. I 1993, chaith sí seacht seachtaine le Dawson Stelfox, an chéad Éireannach a bhain barr Sliabh Everest amach, agus a fhoireann sna Himiléithe. Tá saothar foilsithe aici ar Everest, na seirbhísí deonacha tarrthála farraige, iar-Uachtarán Máire Mhic Róibín agus conspóid Ghás na Coiribe i Maigh Eo.

Michael Murphy - Céim Mháistreachta Oinigh sna Dána honoris causa: Rugadh Michael i gCaisleán an Bharraigh, Co. Mhaigh Eo agus bhain sé céim amach in UCD.  Chaith sé blianta fada mar léitheoir nuachta le RTÉ agus ina dhiaidh sin dhírigh sé ar an tsíocanailís. Tá sé ag obair anois mar shíocanailísí, bíonn sé ag léachtóireacht ar an ábhar in Ospidéal Naomh Uinseann agus UCD, agus bíonn sé fós ag plé leis an gcraoltóireacht in RTÉ. D’fhoilsigh sé a chuimhní cinn in 2009. Rinne sé cur síos iontu ar an ailse phróstataigh a bhí air agus labhair sé faoi mhí-úsáid leanaí agus gnéasacht. Fuair na cuimhní cinn ardmholadh ó na léirmheastóirí. D’fhoilsigh sé ansin bailiúchán filíochta agus tá cuimhní cinn eile le foilsiú aige anois. 

Bernard Kirk - Máistreacht Oinigh san Eolaíocht honoris causa: Stiúrthóir ar Ionad Oideachais na Gaillimhe.  Rugadh i gCorcaigh é agus mhúin sé i mbunscoil Bhaile Chláir ar feadh 13 bliana.  Tá sé ar dhuine de bhunaitheoirí Robotics Ireland, Comórtas Díospóireachta Bhunscoileanna Uile Éireann agus Campaí Spáis na hÉireann.  Tá sé ina chathaoirleach ar Cheol Cónaitheach na Gaillimhe.  Tá sé ar choistí éagsúla cosúil le Coiste Eitic Taighde OÉ Gaillimh, An Coiste Oideachais Náisiúnta agus Gailearaí Eolaíochta Choláiste na Tríonóide.

Liam Mac Con Iomaire - Céim Mháistreachta Oinigh sna Dána honoris causa: Rugadh Liam i gCasla, agus fuair sé a chuid oiliúna mar bhunmhúinteoir sular thosaigh sé ag obair le RTÉ i seomra na Nuachta. Bhí sé ina iriseoir, ina léitheoir nuachta agus ina fho-eagarthóir. Chuaigh sé as sin ansin go UCD ag obair mar Stiúrthóir ar Theanglann na Nua-Ghaeilge. Tá Liam ag comhoibriú le fada an lá le Tim Robinson agus is iomaí saothar le Robinson agus le húdair eile atá aistrithe aige agus is é a bhunaigh Sean Nós Cois Life. Is iomaí saothar le Mac Con Iomaire atá foilsithe, agus tá cáil i bhfad agus i gcéin ar a shaothar iriseoireachta, cumarsáide agus Gaeilge.

Micheál Ó Conghaile - Céim Mháistreachta Oinigh sna Dána honoris causa: Is scríbhneoir cruthaitheach, staraí sóisialta agus nuálaí cultúir é Micheál i réimse na foilsitheoireachta liteartha agus ceoil. Bhunaigh sé an chuideachta foilsitheoireachta Ghaeilge, Cló Iar-Chonnachta, i 1985.. Chomh maith lena shaothar cruthaitheach liteartha féin, tá na drámaí The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Lonesome West agus an scannán Gaeilge Kings aistrithe aige; agus tá cnuasach gearrscéalta curtha in eagar aige do dhéagóirí. I measc na ngradam atá bainte amach aige tá Gradam Liteartha Butler ón Irish American Cultural Institute agus Gradam Liteartha Hennessy. Bhí sé ina scríbhneoir cónaithe ag Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste agus ag Ollscoil Uladh ó 1999 go dtí 2002. Tá a shaothar aistrithe go Rómáinis, Cróitis, Albáinis, Gearmáinis agus Béarla.

Thomas Roche - Céim Mháistreachta Oinigh san Innealtóireacht honoris causa:Is as Oirthear na Gaillimhe do Thomas ó dhúchas. Is aireagóir, tionsclóir, fiontraí, feirmeoir agus gníomhaí pobail é a bhfuil meaisínre cruthaithe aige do thionscal an leictreachais agus na teileachumarsáide ar fud an domhain. Is é a chéad cheap an tArdaitheoir Cuaillí a bhfuil cáil idirnáisiúnta air. Bíonn an fearas seo ceangailte le JCB chun cuaille tríocha troigh a ardú do sholáthar leictreachais agus teileafóin. Tá sé á easpórtáil go hidirnáisiúnta. Bhunaigh Thomas a chuideachta déantúsaíochta féin, Roche Manufacturing Ltd., agus dhear sé réimse táirgí tionscail agus talmhaíochta faoin ainm branda ‘Roco’. Is iomaí gradam atá bainte amach ag Thomas leis na blianta ón Údarás Forbartha Tionscail (IDA), ón mBord Tráchtála agus ó Fhiontraíocht Éireann agus eile.

Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an Dr James J. Browne faoi chéimithe na bliana seo: “Tá an t-ádh ar OÉ Gaillimh a bheith bainteach leis an oiread sin céimithe oinigh den scoth ó bunaíodh an Ollscoil. An tseachtain seo, táimid bródúil céim oinigh a bhronnadh ar Lorna Siggins, Michael Murphy, Bernard Kirk, Liam Mac Con Iomaire, Micheál Ó Conghaile agus Thomas Roche. Tá a c(h)ion féin déanta ag gach céimí oinigh daoibh seo i réimsí éagsúla na hiriseoireachta, na craoltóireachta, an oideachais, na litríochta agus na nuálaíochta innealtóireachta. Is cúis áthais dúinn anseo in OÉ Gaillimh an deis a bheith againn aitheantas a thabhairt don tallann agus don tsárobair atá déanta ag na daoine seo.”

Cuirfear tús le Searmanais bhliantúla Bhronnadh Céimeanna an Fhómhair leis na searmanais Oideachais Aosaigh agus Leanúnaigh, áit a mbronnfar dámhachtainí ar níos mó ná 950 mac léinn a chríochnaigh a gcúrsaí teastais, dioplóma agus céime in ionaid éagsúla ar fud na tíre.

-CRÍOCH-