2024
Actor and presenter Siobhán McSweeney honoured at UCC Alumni Awards
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- Journey from science to the arts celebrated as Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney is honoured by alma mater.
- Other recipients of UCC alumni awards include the Provost of Trinity College Dublin Dr Linda Doyle.
Award-winning actor and presenter Siobhán McSweeney (BSc Biological, 2001) was among those who were honoured at the University College Cork (UCC) Alumni Achievement Awards on Thursday, 14 November. Siobhán graduated from UCC in 2001 with a Bachelor in Biological Science.
Siobhán is best known for playing Sister Michael in Channel 4’s hit comedy series Derry Girls, for which she won the 2023 BAFTA TV Award for Best Female Comedy Performance.
Alongside Siobhán, eight other inspirational alumni received Alumni Achievement Awards - one of the highest accolades awarded by UCC.
“I can truly say that I've always been proud of my connection with UCC. The people I met have ended up being some of the most important people in my life. They have become my employers, my collaborators, my colleagues, and my inspiration,” said Siobhán.
The other Alumni Achievement Awardees include:
- Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland;
- Trinity College Dublin Provost Dr Linda Doyle;
- Michael Guinee, Founder and CEO of Ei Electronics;
- UCC Rugby Football Club volunteers Dr Len Harty and Dr Noel O’Mahony;
- Dr Naomi Masheti, Programme Director of the Cork Migrant Centre;
- Businessman and strategic advisor to the university David Merriman;
- Sustainability and climate expert Ruairí O’Mahony
President of UCC Professor John O’Halloran, commending those receiving awards, said: “I am delighted to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our awardees. Each awardee brings immense pride to the university, embodying our values and demonstrating our global impact.”
The UCC Alumni Achievement Awards are an annual celebration of UCC’s alumni. Since 1998, the university has honoured a total of 125 graduates. Notable past winners include 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