2020 - 2029
Honorary Citation by Professor Pádraig Cantillon-Murphy for Michael O'Flynn
A Uachtaráin, a chéimithe, a chuairteoirí, a dhaoine uaisle, agus a chairde go léir, is mór an onóir dom, agus tá an-áthas orm, a bheith tofa chun cúpla focal a rá faoi shaol agus éachtaí Mhicíl Ó Floinn ar an ócáid áthasach seo.
President, graduates, visitors, and friends, it is a privilege and an honour to be invited to provide today’s citation for the Honorary Doctorate in Economic Science upon one of Ireland’s most distinguished business leaders, Michael O’Flynn.
Michael was born and raised in Kilcrea, close to the historic Franciscan friary in Ovens, the fifth of nine children born to Sheila and Seán O’Flynn who raised their children on the family farm. Family was pivotal to Michael’s early formation and today Michael is joined by his own family; his wife Joan, his children Michelle, Shane, Kate and Elaine, his daughter-in-law Clodagh; his sons-in-law Brian, Mark and Niall; and his nine grandchildren; James, Seán, Anna, Cormac, Michael, Maebh, Patrick, Grace and Sophie. Michael’s primary education was in Farran National School before joining his brothers at Saint Finbarr’s College, Farranferris winning a Cork Colleges medal in 1971 and completing his leaving certificate in 1974 and later obtaining a National Certificate in Science (Applied Chemistry) from Cork Regional Technical College, now the Munster Technological University. Michael was a major contributor to Éire Óg’s golden age in hurling, winning the Cork Junior County Championship in 1977, and the Cork Intermediate County Championship in 1979 and again in 1985. He also played senior hurling with Muskerry. He was instrumental in the redevelopment of Éire Óg’s facilities in Ovens; a contribution acknowledged with a lifetime membership of childhood club. More recently, he has played a major role in his capacity as a board member of Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium.
Sporting accomplishments notwithstanding, it has been in the fields of business rather than sport where Michael’s impact has been most profound. O’Flynn Group stemmed from humble beginnings in 1977, with Michael and his brother John working on one-off projects. Their first housing scheme was Apsley Court in Ovens which they began in 1978. Today, the O’Flynn Group has grown into a leading international property development company, with significant involvement across Ireland and the UK. Under Michael’s leadership, the O’Flynn Group has been responsible for landmark developments, including the Elysian Tower, Ireland’s tallest building when it opened in 2008, the transformative redevelopment of Ballincollig Town Centre, the Point Village student campus in Dublin and many more besides. The projects of O’Flynn Group have not only defined skylines but have also provided homes, commercial spaces, and infrastructure critical to Ireland’s continued economic growth. Over almost five decades, the organisation has directly and indirectly provided employment for tens of thousands, fostering economic development and empowering businesses across Cork and beyond who became vital contributors to the national construction sector. Michael’s business success has been recognised by multiple industry bodies, including the Ballincollig Business Association Hall of Fame award in 2015, the Business Person of the Year Award from the Cork Business Association in 2019, and a lifetime achievement award at the National Property Awards in 2025.
Beyond his business acumen, Michael O’Flynn has been an outspoken advocate for housing reform, planning policy, and infrastructure challenges. He has served on the government’s recent Housing Commission, was a founding member of Property Industry Ireland, and is a former chairman of the Cork branch of the Construction Industry Federation. He has warned of the dire consequences in failing a generation of young Irish people in their pursuit of a family home. Speaking to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government & Heritage in October 2024, Michael stated that “our housing targets have been too low for a number of years and because of this, our zoning, infrastructure delivery and planning system are all out of sequence, basically, our housing system is broken.”
In addition to his contributions to the property sector, Michael has been deeply involved in philanthropy and community development. His commitment to education is reflected in his unwavering support for UCC, where he chaired the President’s Advisory Board for seven years, served twelve years on the board of the UCC Foundation and in 2022, he spearheaded the magnificent restoration of our beloved Honan Chapel, preserving a key part of our university’s and indeed our country’s cultural and religious heritage. Michael’s faith and friendship with his former teacher, Bishop John Buckley led to the creation of the Farranferris Foundation in 2010, where Michael worked closely with the diocese to repurpose his alma mater at Farranferris to become a flourishing education campus. He also currently chairs the diocesan property advisory group. Michael’s often quiet contributions were recognised in his elevation to the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great in 2015 for his notable accomplishments on behalf of the Church and of society.
The responsibility of his position, and a willingness to give back is something that Michael has embraced, particularly in recent years, giving freely of his time to many causes and concerns close to his heart. He served for fifteen years on the board of the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation at Crumlin Children’s Hospital as well as various roles in Cork Friends of Crumlin. He chaired the HSE Non-Executive Advisory Board for six years in relation to the reconfiguration of acute hospital services in Cork and Kerry. Michael worked closely with Roy Keane in organising the Liam Miller Testimonial Match at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, uniting Ireland’s soccer and GAA communities for a cause greater than sport itself. He, again, gave freely of his time and expertise in the redevelopment of the clubhouses at Cork Golf Club, and at Waterville Golf Club, which is now a premier destination for international visitors.
We must also acknowledge that Michael’s journey has not been without challenges, most notably during the years following the economic crisis of 2008 when the future of the family business appeared to be precarious. However, Michael’s tenacity and perseverance prevailed against seemingly insurmountable odds and in recognising his achievements today, we acknowledge his immensely positive contributions, not simply in cement and steel, but in giving and goodness to our society, to our economy, and to communities in Cork and beyond.
Praehonorabilis Cancellarie, totaque universitas! Praesento vobis hunc meum filium, quam scio tam moribus quam doctrina habilem et idoneum esse qui admittatur, honoris causa, ad Gradus Doctoratus in utroque Oeconomia, tam Civili quam Canonico, idque tibi fide mea testor ac spondeo totique Academiae.