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UCC awards Honorary Masters to Sheila Connolly
University College Cork (UCC) has awarded an Honorary Masters of Arts to Sheila Connolly, the trailblazing Chief Executive of Cork Alliance Centre, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to social justice, rehabilitation and supporting people to rebuild their lives after imprisonment.
For more than 22 years, Sheila has been the driving force behind Cork Alliance Centre, transforming it into one of Cork's leading organisations supporting people leaving prison. Under her leadership, the Centre has provided vital services to people seeking a fresh start, including resettlement support, addiction recovery, education, employment opportunities and mental health supports.
Sheila's commitment to supporting some of society's most marginalised people was shaped by her earlier career as a humanitarian aid worker with Concern Worldwide in East Africa, where she witnessed the devastating consequences of conflict, genocide and trauma.
Professor John O’Halloran stated, “A passionate advocate for social inclusion and second chances, Sheila has pioneered innovative approaches to rehabilitation, championing the importance of helping people move away from offending and build fulfilling lives within their communities. Her work has also helped amplify the voices and lived experiences of people affected by imprisonment, ensuring they are heard in discussions about criminal justice policy and reform.”
"I am deeply honoured to receive this Honorary Master's from UCC. While this recognition has been awarded to me, it reflects the courage, resilience and determination of the many people who have been part of the Cork Alliance journey over the years. My greatest privilege has been witnessing people discover that a difficult chapter is not their whole story and then being trusted to support them as they write the next one” stated Sheila.
Through her longstanding collaboration with UCC, Sheila has supported academic research, student placements and initiatives connecting lived experience with evidence-based approaches to rehabilitation and reintegration.
Her remarkable contribution to Cork and beyond has earned widespread recognition, including being named Cork Person of the Month in May 2024.
UCC's honorary masters recognises Sheila's exceptional leadership, unwavering compassion and lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for people to overcome adversity, rebuild their lives and participate fully in society.