UCC honours leading figures with doctorates

SIX leading figures in education, sport, the arts and business were conferred with honorary degrees at University College Cork (UCC) yesterday.

One of the country’s leading poets, Patrick Galvin, 79, was conferred with a Doctorate of Literature. He is the author of seven collections of poetry, and his memoirs, Song for a Raggy Boy, formed the basis for the critically acclaimed film.

Former rugby international Tom Kiernan, 66, was made a Doctor of Laws.

Professor Joe Lee, Glucksman Professor of Irish Studies at New York University and part-time Professor of History at UCC, received a Doctorate of Literature.

Brian McCarthy, the founder and chairman of FEXCO — the Killorglin- based global payments company — was made a Doctor of Laws.

Sculptor and Aosdána member Vivienne Roche was also made a Doctor of Laws.