Among six outstanding individuals from the worlds of business, philanthropy, justice, music and the arts announced as the 2007 recipients of honorary doctorates by National University of Ireland, Galway will be Ireland's best-selling solo artist Enya.

Enya, who originally comes from the Donegal Gaeltacht of Gaoth Dobhair, a former member of the family group Clannad, now ranks alongside the most successful female artists in the world. Her musical compositions have won her many accolades. Four-time Grammy award winner, Enya and her production/writing team were nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar for their work on The Lord of the Rings. Enya has won six World Music Awards and the coveted American Golden Plate Award.

Also being honoured is businessman and philanthropist Bill Walsh, a long-time supporter and director of The American Ireland Fund and recipient of its Distinguished Leadership Award in 1997.

International business leader and chair of Reuters, Niall Fitzgerald KBE, will receive an honorary doctorate alongside Chief Justice Pius Langa, the first African Chief Justice of South Africa.

The world of the arts will be represented by honorary graduands Nicholas Carolan, who established the Irish Traditional Music Archive and Dr Jane O Leary, composer, musician, founding member of Aosdána and founder and current chair of Music for Galway.

Commenting on the announcement of this year's graduands, Dr. Iognáid ó Muircheartaigh, President of NUI Galway said, "While this University has had many outstanding honorary graduates in its history, those being honoured this year form a particularly distinguished group. Their contributions in many spheres – business, the arts, music, philanthropy, justice – have been outstanding, and NUI Galway is very pleased to be in a position to recognise these exceptional individuals."

Recipients of this year's honorary degrees will be conferred during a special ceremony at the University on Friday, 29 June 2007. The honorary conferring will take place in the presence of the Chancellor of the National University of Ireland and former Taoiseach, Dr. Garret Fitzgerald