Coláiste na hOllscoile, Corcaigh University College, Cork News Release

29 September 2000

Honorary Masters at University College, Cork

 

Mr. Patrick J Smiddy

38 years after he left primary school aged 14 years of age, Patrick J Smiddy officially returned to formal education today (Friday 29 September 2000) at University College, Cork to receive one of two prestigious honorary masters degrees which were conferred at the university's final Autumn 2000 graduation ceremony.

In his citation to the honorary graduates for their outstanding contributions to Irish society, UCC President Prof Gerard Wrixon said:

"UCC was pleased and privileged to award Patrick Smiddy, Cork-based conservation ranger and naturalist with an MSc Honoris Causa, an honorary Master of Science degree. We salute Patrick Smiddy's pioneering spirit, his valuable research work in the natural sciences and for making Natural History live on so effectively".<

While working as a cabinet-maker until 1980 Smiddy was trained and awarded a permit to ring birds by the British Trust for Ornithology. Early interests in bird- ringing skills led him into identifying rare birds and documenting their occurrence. By 1982 Smiddy secured his first scientific publication which led to national recognition when he was appointed National Secretary of the Irish Rare Birds Panel.

His meticulous field skills and recording have not been exclusive to birds as he has published works on plants, whales, bats, bank voles and badgers. In total, his scientific publication portfolio currently runs to over 130 published articles, many of those undertaken with Zoology staff at the NUI, Galway, The Natural History Museum of Ireland and at UCC where he is an honorary member and valued researcher in the Faculty of Science.

Smiddy was honoured by the Royal Irish Academy when he was appointed to its Praeger Committee. He's a life member of the British Ornithologists Union and the British Trust for Ornithology.

"In the development and implementation of an effective conservation strategy in the late 20th and 21st centuries in Ireland, the role of amateur naturalists like Patrick Smiddy has been crucial, though often unrecognised", stated Prof Wrixon who added:

"While the names of Ussher, Warren, Barrington, Praeger and Hutchinson dominate in the documentation of the nation's natural history, none were professional, university-educated biologists. Continuing in this remarkable tradition of amateur naturalists contributing to our Natural Heritage is Patrick J Smiddy who has combined the role of the traditional natural historian with that of the modern quantitative ecologist".

 

Mr. Harold Johnson

The University also awarded an MA Honoris Causa, an honorary Master of Arts degree to accountant Harold Johnson, former chairperson of the Cork Opera House and long-standing patron of the arts in Ireland.

Almost thirty-five years to the day since Eamonn de Valera officially opened the new Opera House in Cork in October 1965, UCC publicly recognised how Harold Johnson successfully spear-headed the campaign to rebuild the Cork Opera House after it was destroyed by fire on 12 December 1955.

Awarding the degree to Johnson, President Wrixon said:

"As Cork grows and develops, attracts and spawns new commerce and industry the existence of vibrant artistic institutions such as the Opera House, art galleries and indeed, the University, all have vital roles o play in the determining the quality of life of our people.

If Cork is to become a real alternative node of development to Dublin the spectrum of local artistic infrastructure in which the Opera House occupies so prominent a place, will be crucial in ensuring an interesting and balanced quality of life for our growing population. For your vital role in helping to secure this bounty for us this University is proud to award you an honorary Master of Arts Degree".

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