Alumni Achievement Awards 2006

Outstanding achievers in the fields of business, international diplomacy, oral health and public service were honoured by UCC at the 2006 Alumni Achievement Awards Ceremony on Friday, 1 December 2006 at UCC.The Awards were sponsored by Henry Ford & Son, Limited.The 2006 UCC Alumni Programme has been re-organised to reflect the new academic structure of the University into four constituent Colleges.The Awards Programme endowed one graduate from each of the four Colleges with an Alumnus Achievement Award.

The 2006 UCC Alumni Achievement Award recipients pictured above are l/r UCC President Gerard T. Wrixon, Michael Cawley (College of Business & Law Award), Dan Mulhall (College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences), Dr Jean van Sinderen-Law, Director of Development, UCC, Deirdre Clune (College of Science, Engineering & Food Sciences), Peter Cooney (College of Medicine & Health) and Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Henry Ford & Son, Limited (Award Sponsors).

College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences Award - Dan Mulhall

Dan Mulhall (BA’75, HDE’78, MA’79) received the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences Award as one of Ireland’s most renowned international diplomats.  Dan has held many senior postings with the Department of Foreign Affairs since 1978 in New Delhi, Vienna and Brussels.  He was appointed Irish Consul General to Edinburgh, Scotland in 1998 and Ambassador to Malaysia Thailand, Laos and Vietnam in 2001.  Dan acquitted himself outstandingly in leading the Irish government’s emergency response efforts in the aftermath of the Tsunami Disaster that struck the Indian Ocean in December 2004.

College of Business & Law - Michael Cawley

Michael Cawley (BComm ’75) received the College of Business and Law Award for his outstanding business acumen.  Michael has held many senior positions in leading Irish companies.  He was appointed Managing Director of Athlone Extrusions in1986, Finance Director of Gowan Group in1993 and Chief Financial Officer and Commercial Director of Ryanair in 1997.  He became Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of Ryanair in 2004 where he is responsible for all commercial activities of the airline.

College of Science, Engineering & Food Science - Cllr. Deirdre Clune

Cllr Deirdre Clune (BE Civil’80, Dip ’90) received the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science Award and is recognised for her excellent public service.  Deirdre has been a member of Cork City Council since 1999 and has played an active role in local government, culminating in her election as Lord Mayor of Cork in 2005 when the City was European Capital of Culture.  She served as First Citizen of Cork with tremendous style, enthusiasm and energy.  Deirdre is an honorary fellow of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland.

College of Medicine & Health - Dr Peter Cooney

Dr Peter Cooney (BDS ‘77) received the College of Medicine and Health Award as a leading international expert in oral health.  Peter is Chief Dental Officer for Canada whose function is improve the oral health status of Canada’s 32 million plus citizens.  Peter is cross-appointed as Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto.  He is Chair of the International Chief Dental Officers Public Health Section of the World Dental Federation and is former President of the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry.