March NUI Galway Announce 2019 Alumni Award Winners

20 years of celebrating graduates across the globe

 NUI Galway has announced the winners of the 2019 Alumni Awards to be presented at the 20th annual Alumni Awards Gala Banquet on Saturday, 13 April, 2019.

The NUI Galway Alumni Awards recognise individual excellence and achievements among the University’s more than 100,000 graduates worldwide. Now in its twentieth year, the Awards programme boasts an impressive roll call of more than 100 outstanding NUI Galway alumni who have gone on to make an impact in their chosen field, and in so doing honour their alma mater.  Among the distinguished honorees are President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, broadcasters, Seán O’Rourke and Gráinne Seoige, business leaders, Tara McCarthy (Bord Bia), Adrian Jones (Goldman Sachs) and Aedhmar Hynes (Text 100), figures from public life such as Pat Rabbitte, Eamon Gilmore (Tánaiste) and Máire Whelan (Attorney General), and sports figures such as rugby international, Ciarán FitzGerald and Olive Loughnane (Olympic medallist).

This year’s awardees highlight the global impact of NUI Galway and its alumni as the University celebrates 20 years of these annual awards. 
The winners of the seven alumni awards to be presented at Gala 2019:

• Alumni Award for Arts, Literature and Celtic Studies – Sponsored by Deloitte

Journalist & RTÉ London correspondent, Fiona Mitchell – BA 1993

• Alumni Award for Business and Commerce - Sponsored by Bank of Ireland

Aviation entrepreneur, Dómhnal Slattery - BComm 1988

• Alumni Award for Law, Public Policy and Government - Sponsored by Ronan Daly Jermyn

Senior counsel and jurist, Grainne McMorrow - BA 1980, LLB 1983 

• Alumni Award for Engineering, Science and Technology - Sponsored by Merc Partners

Cancer scientist, Dr John Lyons - BSc 1979

• Alumni Award for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences - Sponsored by Medtronic

Surgeon and clinical educator, Dr Ronan Waldron - MB BCh BAO 1976, MMedSc 1984

• Gradam Alumni don Gaeilge - Urraithe ag OÉ Gaillimh

Journalist and broadcaster, Póilín Ní Chiaráin - BA 1965

• Alumni Award for Contribution to Sport - Sponsored by Bank of Ireland

Sports medicine pioneer, Dr Mick Molloy - MB BCh BAO 1968

Speaking on the announcement of the Award recipients, President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “It is the mission of universities to make the world a better place through our teaching, research and impact. Our Alumni Awards programme recognises alumni who make a positive difference in the world and who are leaders in their chosen fields. Through their endeavours our mission is made manifest. I’m particularly pleased this year that we can honour a diverse group of alumni who have made a positive impact in the world – and for the world - both nationally and internationally. I congratulate each awardee and I look forward to welcoming them back to their alma mater for the Gala Banquet in April.”

For ticket and booking information contact Alumni Relations on 091 494310 or email alumni@nuigalway.ie. Online bookings at www.guf.ie.

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