University of Galway has conferred its 2025 honorary degrees, celebrating distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions across the arts, literature, music, law, and public life.The awards were formally presented at a special ceremony on-campus today, November 27th, 2025. Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: "Our honorary degrees recognise individuals whose achievements reflect the values and aspirations of our University community. This year’s recipients represent excellence across creative, cultural, academic and civic life and we are honoured to welcome them into our University community." The six recipients include: Brian Bourke – Doctor of Arts (honoris causa)Award-winning painter and visual artist. Anna Heussaff – Doctor of Literature (honoris causa)Award-winning novelist and translator writing as Gaeilge for adults and teens, recognised for her literary achievements and advocacy in cultural and climate issues. Kathleen Loughnane – Doctor of Music (honoris causa)Renowned harpist, teacher and founder of Dordán, acclaimed for her role in preserving and promoting Ireland’s harp tradition. Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha – Doctor of Laws (honoris causa)Former Advocacy Manager and Deputy General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, who worked tirelessly for the promotion of Irish as a community language. Pádraig Ó Céidigh – Doctor of Economic Science (honoris causa)Entrepreneur, business leader, and former Senator, accountant, solicitor, and teacher who scaled companies, shaped public policy including Aer Arann. Micheál Ó Cuaig – Doctor of Music (honoris causa)Poet, singer, and founder of Féile Joe Éinniú, who has nurtured and performed the sean-nós tradition, mentoring generations and helping drive its revival. Three nominees, Margo Harkin, Olwen Fouéré and Kerby A. Miller declined degrees due to the University’s participation in an EU Horizon Europe research project involving an Israeli university. Professor Burn continued: "We respect the decision of other nominees to not participate today. Discussion and debate are the cornerstones of University life, and we are committed to finding a way forward with our community.”     Ends

Bhronn Ollscoil na Gaillimhe céimeanna oinigh 2025, agus ceiliúradh déanta ar dhaoine mór le rá as an gcion suntasach atá déanta acu sna healaíona, sa litríocht, sa cheol, sa dlí agus sa saol poiblí. Bronnadh na gradaim go foirmiúil ag searmanas speisialta ar an gcampas inniu, an 27 Samhain 2025. Dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh David Burn: "Tugann ár gcéimeanna oinigh aitheantas do dhaoine a léiríonn a gcuid éachtaí luachanna agus mianta phobal na hOllscoile. Léiríonn céimithe oinigh na bliana seo sármhaitheas cruthaitheach, cultúrtha, acadúil agus sibhialta agus is mór an onóir dúinn fáilte a chur rompu isteach i bpobal na hOllscoile." Áirítear ar an seisear ar bronnadh céim oinigh orthu: Brian Bourke – Dochtúir sna Dána (honoris causa)Péintéir agus ealaíontóir amhairc a bhfuil gradaim go leor buaite aige. Anna Heussaff – Dochtúir le Litríocht (honoris causa)Úrscéalaí agus aistritheoir a bhfuil gradaim go leor buaite aici a scríobhann i nGaeilge do dhaoine fásta agus do dhéagóirí, agus atá aitheanta as a cuid éachtaí liteartha agus a cuid abhcóideachta maidir le saincheisteanna cultúrtha agus aeráide. Kathleen Loughnane – Dochtúir le Ceol (honoris causa)Cláirseoir, múinteoir agus bunaitheoir Dordán, a bhfuil cáil uirthi as a ról i gcaomhnú agus i gcur chun cinn thraidisiún cláirsí na hÉireann. Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha – Dochtúir le Dlíthe (honoris causa)Iar-Bhainisteoir Abhcóideachta agus Leas-Ard-Rúnaí Chonradh na Gaeilge, a d'oibrigh gan stad gan staonadh chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn mar theanga phobail. Pádraig Ó Céidigh – Dochtúir le hEolaíocht Eacnamaíoch (honoris causa)Fiontraí, ceannaire gnó, iarSheanadóir, cuntasóir, aturnae, agus múinteoir a rinne cuideachtaí a mhéadú, lena n-áirítear Aer Arann, agus a mhúnlaigh beartas poiblí. Micheál Ó Cuaig – Dochtúir le Ceol (honoris causa)File, amhránaí, agus bunaitheoir Fhéile Joe Éinniú, a chothaigh agus a léirigh traidisiún an tsean-nóis, a rinne meantóireacht ar gach aoisghrúpa agus a chuidigh le hathbheochan an tsean-nóis.  Dhiúltaigh triúr ainmnithe, Margo Harkin, Olwen Fouéré agus Kerby A. Miller, glacadh leis na céimeanna mar gheall ar rannpháirtíocht na hOllscoile i dtionscadal taighde de chuid chlár an Aontais Eorpaigh, Fís Eorpach, a bhfuil ollscoil Iosraelach páirteach ann.  Bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Ollamh Burn chomh maith: "Tá meas againn ar chinneadh na n-ainmnithe eile a shocraigh gan páirt a ghlacadh in ócáid an lae inniu. Is é an cur agus cúiteamh bunchloch shaol na hOllscoile, agus táimid tiomanta bealach chun cinn a aimsiú in éineacht lenár bpobal.” Críoch

A special programme for empathy education developed at University of Galway is to be expanded into Transition Year (TY) in secondary schools nationwide.Activating Social Empathy is a practical classroom resource designed to help teachers promote empathy skills and understanding among young people in the Senior Cycle.The programme was developed by researchers at the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at University of Galway, along with colleagues in the University’s School of Education, working closely with a Youth Advisory Panel from Foróige. It is endorsed by the National Council for Curriculum Assessment.Actor Cillian Murphy is a patron of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at University of Galway and a supporter of the empathy education initiatives.  Described as a new micro-module, the new TY course complements the existing Junior Cycle Activating Social Empathy resource which was announced in 2020. It offers age-appropriate lessons and activities that challenge TY students to explore empathy in more complex social contexts.            Dr Charlotte Silke, lead researcher with UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, University of Galway, said: “The core aim is to support young people in becoming more attuned to the feelings and perspectives of others, and more confident in expressing empathy across a variety of real-world contexts.”  The Activating Social Empathy schools programme is supported by the Irish American Partnership and Lifes2good Foundation, Cillian Murphy and partners of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, Foróige and Penn State. The TY micro-module, is informed by theory and practice in the area of social and emotional learning and the resources are underpinned by research evidence relating to the development and expression of empathy during adolescence.It is designed to strengthen students’ empathy skills through 10 interactive lessons, using scenarios and video and other learning methodologies supplemented by comprehensive sample materials. The programme encompasses three interconnected components: Cognitive Empathy (i.e., awareness or understanding of others’ perspectives); Emotional Empathy (i.e., feeling with, or for, another person), and Empathic Action (i.e., translating understanding and feelings into supportive, helpful actions). Students also learn about strategies to address empathy barriers and engage in empathic actions across diverse contexts.            Professor John Canavan, UNESCO Chair, Children, Youth and Civic Engagement and Director of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, University of Galway, said: “For young people growing up in a world marked by rising social polarisation, environmental crises and mental health issues, socio-emotional and behavioural skills are increasingly valued as part of education policies designed to address broad dimensions of learning. Empathy is a process of understanding others' perspectives, feeling for others and taking supportive action."The Activating Social Empathy Manual is available as a free resource to all schools in Ireland and can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/33rfvmus  Ends