Alumni Awards

Alumni Award for Arts, Literature and Celtic Studies
Deirdre Sullivan BA 2005, MA 2006
Award-Winning Author

Deirdre Sullivan is a highly acclaimed novelist, known for her distinctive writing that blends elements of folklore, feminism, and the gothic. Her work has earned her multiple children's book awards, solidifying her place as one of Ireland’s most important contemporary writers. Some of her most notable books include Tangleweed and Brine and Savage Her Reply, both of which have been translated into several languages, expanding her reach to a global audience.

Sullivan’s writing explores deep themes of identity, power, and the role of women in society, often through the lens of mythology and folklore. Her stories are rich in atmosphere and character, with a focus on strong, complex female protagonists who challenge societal expectations and engage with their own personal struggles. Sullivan’s work is widely praised for its lyrical prose and its ability to blend dark, magical elements with real-world issues, creating a unique and captivating reading experience.

Deirdre Sullivan’s novels often draw on her deep knowledge of Irish culture, history, and mythology, weaving these elements into modern narratives. Her work has captivated a wide range of readers, from young adults to adults, with its powerful exploration of human emotions and experiences. Through her richly detailed worlds and complex characters, Sullivan addresses timeless themes such as personal transformation, the reclaiming of power, and the complexities of womanhood. Her writing not only entertains but also invites readers to reflect on the broader social and cultural contexts in which her stories unfold, making her a significant voice in contemporary literature.

Alumni Award for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Elizabeth Whalen MB BCh BAO 1992
Director of Public Health for the State of New York

Elizabeth Whalen served as the Commissioner of Health for Albany County, New York, where she made significant contributions to the public health sector, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During her tenure, Elizabeth received multiple prestigious awards for her exceptional leadership in managing vaccination clinics and coordinating the county’s overall public health strategy. Her strategic planning and effective implementation of public health measures played a crucial role in providing care, education, and information for residents of New York’s Capital Albany amidst one of the most challenging public health crises in modern history. Her ability to mobilise resources, engage with the community, and adapt to evolving health guidelines helped save countless lives and reduce the spread of the virus.

In her current role as Director of Public Health for the State of New York, Elizabeth continues to impact public health on a larger scale, overseeing state-level health initiatives, policy development, and health crisis management. As well as her medical degree, also Elizabeth holds a master's degree in public health and is medical board certified in public health, preventive and lifestyle medicine, which has been instrumental in shaping her holistic approach to public health and well-being.

Known for her dedication to improving healthcare outcomes, Elizabeth is also an advocate for preventive care, health education, and the promotion of healthier lifestyles across diverse populations. Her extensive experience and commitment to public health continue to make her a valuable asset to New York State and the broader health community.

Alumni Award for Business and Commerce
Anne O'Riordan HDipBS 1989
Non-Executive Director Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Former Group Director of Digital at Jardine Matheson Limited

Anne O'Riordan is the former Group Director of Digital for Jardine Matheson Limited, a $40bn Asian conglomerate headquartered in Hong Kong. She held this position from 2019 to 2024, where she was responsible for overseeing and developing the Group’s digital and innovation strategy. Anne served as a director for several companies within the group, including Dairy Farm Management Services, Hongkong Land Limited, and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

Before joining Jardine Matheson, Anne was a Senior Managing Director at Accenture for 29 years, where she led global teams in the US, Europe, and Asia, helping businesses transform their models to meet evolving market demands. She was the global lead for Accenture’s Life Sciences practice and served on various leadership boards, including Accenture’s Global Leadership Council.

Currently Anne is an independent non-executive director on the board of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, where she contributes her expertise in digital strategies to advance the company’s portfolio in sleep medicine and haematology/oncology. She also serves on the board of Livi Digital Bank and is passionate about healthcare and technology.

Anne is actively involved in supporting gender equality through organizations such as the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Hong Kong, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, The Women’s Foundation, and the 30% Club, which advocates for gender balance in corporate leadership. She has co-authored the book Healthcare Disrupted and was named to the global Top 50 Healthcare Influencers list in 2018.

As a member of the External Advisory Board at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, Anne offers independent guidance to support the school’s mission. She is also a dedicated ambassador for the University of Galway in Hong Kong, where she has hosted numerous alumni and student events.

Alumni Award for Engineering, Science and Technology
Fiona Grant BSc 1996, MSc 1997, PhD 2005
Head of International Programmes at the Marine Institute

Alumni Award for Law, Public Policy and Society
Geoffrey Shannon BComm 1989, LLB 1992, LLM 1996
Circuit Court Judge
Special Rapporteur on Child Protection (2007-2020)

His Honour Judge Dr Geoffrey Shannon SC is the leading authority in Child Law and Family Law in Ireland and was appointed to the Circuit Court in March 2023.

Judge Shannon was the first person appointed to the role of Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for the Irish government and was reappointed by successive governments to that role from 2006 to July 2019.  He was also chairman of the Adoption Authority of Ireland (and its predecessor the Adoption Board) from 2007 to 2020. 

Judge Shannon has made very significant contributions to child protection in Ireland and throughout the European Union. He has carried out several major inquiries and reviews in the family and child law area on behalf of government and international bodies, most notably the Independent Child Deaths Review which examined the deaths of 196 children who died in state care or known to child protection services between 2000 and 2010.

In May 2017, an audit authored by Dr Shannon on the exercise by An Garda Síochána (the Irish police force) of its emergency child protection powers was published.  It is the largest worldwide audit of the exercise by a police force of its emergency child protection powers.

His Honour Judge Shannon is the Irish Expert Member on the Commission on European Family Law. He has also played a key role in judicial training on international family and child law.

A prolific legal scholar, he has written or co-authored 30 books, 36 articles in refereed journals, and 42 articles in professional magazines on child and family law.

His Honour Judge Shannon is the recipient of several awards for his work. These include the 2005 JCI Outstanding Person of the Year Award, the 2006 Canon Maurice Handy Award and the 2013 and 2023 Irish Law Award.  On 23 June 2017, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, then President of the Irish High Court, presented His Honour Judge Shannon with the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association Award for outstanding contribution to legal scholarship for his entire work to date.

Gradam Alumni don Ghaeilge
Rónán Ó Domhnaill BA 1997
Media Development Commisioner, Coimisiún na Meán
An Coimisinéir Teanga (2014-2023)

Rónán Ó Domhnaill is from Ceathrú Rua in the Connemara Gaeltacht. He was appointed as Language Commissioner in 2014. He is currently the Commissioner for Media Development with the new regulatory body, the Media Commission, since 2023. Prior to this, Rónán spent 16 years as a journalist and political correspondent with RTÉ, providing reports for TG4 News and RTÉ News. He occasionally presented the programme ‘The Week in Politics’ on RTÉ 1 (television).

As the Commissioner for Media Development, Rónán directs educational and training initiatives related to the functions of the Commission, in collaboration with relevant partners in the education and media sectors. In his role with the Media Commission, Rónán Ó Domhnaill is responsible for implementing specific recommendations from the Commission's Report on the Future of Media.

As Language Commissioner, he advocated for strengthening language legislation in Ireland and expressed to the government, political parties, Oireachtas committees, and various other stakeholders the need for strong legislation. The amended Official Languages Act, passed in December 2021, ensures a significant increase in language rights for the public and places comprehensive obligations on public bodies regarding the provision of state services in Irish.

Rónán Ó Domhnaill is the chairperson of the Irish Ombudsman Forum, the Irish representative on the Executive Board of the International Ombudsman Association, and a former chair of the International Association of Language Commissioners. In addition to his BA from University of Galway, Rónán holds an MA in Leadership & Strategy from the Institute of Public Administration.

Alumni Award for Contribution to Sport
Kevin Dinneen BA 1985, LLB 1989
Chair of Third Level Rugby and the IRFU Appeals Board 2020-2024
Chair of National Professional Game Board IRFU 2024-

Kevin Dinneen is a former rugby player and influential coach who has made a significant impact on Irish rugby. His career spanned over 15 years as a senior player, during which he played for several clubs including Old Crescent, UCG, Lansdowne, Bective, and Galwegians. He captained Galwegians during the 1994/95 season and went on to coach the club from 2001 to 2004, leading them to notable successes. 
 
His contributions to Connacht Rugby are particularly noteworthy. From 2005 to 2010, Kevin was a part of the Connacht Rugby coaching team and served as the coach of the successful Connacht U20's. During his time with Connacht, he played a key role in developing young talent and fostering a strong rugby culture in the region. He was also a key member of the Connacht Professional Game Board from 2010 to 2019 and has been part of the National Professional Game Board since then.
 
Outside of rugby, he served as an Officer in the Irish Defence Forces for 25 years, achieving the rank of Commandant before retiring in 2005. He has practised as a barrister since then.
 
Currently, Kevin holds the position of Chair of National Professional Games Board. His expertise in both rugby and law makes him ideally suited to these positions. Kevin continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of rugby at the national and collegiate levels.

Alumni Award for Emerging Leader
Dr Ríona Ní Ghriallais Diop sa Ghaeilge 2007, BE 2008, PhD 2012
Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of ProVerum

Dr. Ríona Ní Ghriallais is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of ProVerum, an Irish medical device company founded in 2016 with Dr. Conor Harkin. ProVerum has raised significant funding to support its clinical program and bring its innovative ProVee device to market in the U.S. The ProVee device offers a groundbreaking solution for patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition that causes prostate enlargement and urinary issues. The novel treatment is designed to provide a safer, less invasive alternative to traditional BPH treatment options, with fewer side effects and quicker recovery times.

A native of Indreabhán in County Galway, Ríona graduated with a Degree in Biomedical Engineering in 2008 and completed her PhD in 2012, laying the foundation for her work in medical technology. Ríona is also a strong advocate for women in STEM, actively encouraging young women to pursue careers in engineering and innovation.

Ríona has always wanted to create something new that could help others:

She said: “I’ve always wanted to do something purposeful and creative – engineering and medical device development are a perfect match for that! Working in the medical device industry gives an opportunity of making a real and positive impact to global health care.”

Under Ríona’s leadership, ProVerum has made significant strides toward commercialisation, receiving support from organisations like EIT Health and securing substantial investment.

Ríona’s work at ProVerum aims to revolutionise BPH treatment and offer a more effective and accessible option for millions of men. Her contributions to medical technology and her leadership in driving ProVerum forward have positioned her as a key figure in the global healthcare industry, improving patient outcomes worldwide.