Jeremy Irons admits to nerves before UCC conferring as 'education was a bit of a battle'

David Puttnam, Jeremy Irons, Adi Roche, and Dominic Casey who were awarded with honorary degrees by University College Cork on Wednesday evening. Picture Daragh McSweeney/Provision

Hollywood star Jeremy Irons has spoken of his pride at being awarded an honorary doctorate from University College Cork after admitting that he struggled in education for many years.

Irons was joined at ceremony in the university on Wednesday evening by Chernobyl Children International CEO Adi Roche, film producer David Puttnam, and Ireland’s lightweight national rowing coach Dominic Casey. All four were recognised for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.

One of few actors to have earned an Academy Award for film, an Emmy Award for television, and a Tony Award for theatre, Jeremy Irons said tonight's experience in the Aula Maxima was an equally thrilling achievement, but at the same time a far more relaxed affair.

“When I got the Oscar it was like being given the most wonderful birthday present. I did Saturday Night Live the night before and then flew in for the awards. The experience was extraordinary but I didn’t have the peace of the Aula Maxima.” 

He also spoke about how much he had been looking forward to the conferring, though the star admitted to being somewhat nervous beforehand.

I always get nervous when I’m in academic places because school for me was always a bit of a battle. There is a sort of ghost in that.

And he told the Irish Examiner how much he had been looking forward to the event. “The happiness driving away from the airport yesterday was the most wonderful feeling. I felt absolute joy to be home.”

Addressing guests at the event, Irons spoke of the need for a deeper understanding of the arts in secondary education. he said:

While Ireland has a reputation for having one of the best educational systems in the world I worry slightly that arts and humanities in secondary school education are not valued as they should be. 

“They are thought of as something that only girls do because their influence is hard to measure. 

"The arts in education should not be seen as preparation for students to work in the arts but rather a piggy back to help them develop into working adults who are rounded by humanities into people who will enter the workforce with confidence and the ability to speak their mind clearly, show their individual talents, and be supported by that bank of knowledge and the understanding of our spectacular culture.” 

He also called for a stronger focus on what he termed the "human connection" in education to benefit the lives of young people.

“A support for students is needed as they set out into the hurly burly of a modern society which seems more and more dependent on greed and personal gain. 

"Children need to learn to listen, to know how to lose themselves in something other. They need to learn how to co-operate with others and face away from the screen to properly communicate, to learn to look into the minds of others and listen to what they are trying to say. Empathy is a learned talent.” 

Meanwhile, David Puttnam said he was glad to share the honour with his close friend, “Jeremy".  

“I was thinking it would be great if we were included in the same ceremony,” he told the Irish Examiner. “We have come to be good friends. He tolerates me and I like him very much.” 

He said the awards ceremony was a relaxed affair when compared to the Oscars.

“This is a different environment, albeit not nearly as terrifying.” 

Long-serving coach of Skibbereen Rowing Club and Ireland's high-performance lightweight rowing team, Dominic Casey was also honoured. He has mentored several high-achieving athletes, including Olympic rowing duo Paul and Gary O'Donovan.

Founder and CEO of Chernobyl Children International Adi Roche was praised for her leadership in delivering medical and humanitarian aid to the people of Belarus, Ukraine, and Western Russia in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.