Outstanding Alumni Honoured

Ornithologist and wildlife sound-recordist Seán Ronayne was among those honoured at UCC’s Alumni Achievement Awards. 

Seán graduated from UCC in 2009 with a Bachelor in Zoology and later returned to complete master’s degrees in Marine Biology and Ecological Assessment.

Seán is best known for his project to record the vocalisations of all of Ireland’s approximately 200 bird species, resulting in an extensive archive of wildlife soundscapes. This work informed the multi-award-winning documentary Birdsong. His debut book, Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging, won Dubray Biography of the Year at the Irish Book Awards and was long listed for the 2025 Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing.

“Immersing myself in the sounds of nature is the most beautiful thing I could ever do. To be recognised with an Alumni Achievement Award for turning my passion into my life's work makes it even more special. I'm grateful for the role my time at UCC played in that journey” said Seán.

Alongside Seán, seven other inspirational alumni were honoured with an Alumni Achievement Award - one of the highest accolades given by UCC:

• Dr Saranna Fanning, Assistant Professor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital;
• Renowned Irish rally driver Billy Coleman;
• Ruth Cotter, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Inc’s Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer;
• Organist and Carillonneur Chevalier Adrian Gebruers;
• Sharon Cunningham, CEO and co-founder of Shorla Oncology;
• Consultant in geriatric and stroke medicine Professor Rónán Collins;
• Sarah O’Keeffe, Group Vice President and Senior Vice President of Product Research and Development at Eli Lilly and Company.

The Alumni Achievement Awards are an annual celebration of UCC’s alumni. Since 1998, the university has honoured a total of 133 graduates. Notable past winners include Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney, Olympic gold medallist rowers Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, author Doireann Ní Ghríofa, RTÉ broadcaster Marty Morrissey, psychologist Maureen Gaffney, and Michelin-starred chef Ross Lewis.

Graduate of the Year and Peel Memorial Award 

Congratulations to Ella Barrett, our University College Cork Graduate of the Year, recognised for outstanding academic achievement and exceptional involvement in student life. Kindly sponsored by Deloitte.

Well done to Ava O'Donnell and Cian O’Reilly, recipients of the historic Peel Memorial Award, established in the mid‑19^th century by Sir Robert Peel to honour top graduates who excel academically and enrich university life.