{"id":11456,"date":"2026-08-19T13:31:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T12:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.ucd.ie\/magazine\/?post_type=events&p=11456"},"modified":"2026-08-26T12:07:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T11:07:07","slug":"awards-2026","status":"publish","type":"events","link":"https:\/\/alumni.ucd.ie\/magazine\/events\/awards-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In October 2025, the University College Dublin community came together for a special evening of celebration at the UCD Alumni Awards. Under the expert stewardship of broadcaster Pat Kenny, the annual awards honoured nine remarkable graduates who exemplify leadership, excellence and impact across a diverse range of disciplines. Their groundbreaking work spans the arts, equine health, social advocacy, the beauty industry, sports, architecture, artificial intelligence, law, and global humanitarianism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nine alumni awardees were Dr Emily O’Reilly, author, former journalist, broadcaster and Ireland’s first female Ombudsman (Arts and Humanities); Aimee Connolly, Irish entrepreneur (Business); Niall McLaughlin, award-winning architect (Engineering and Architecture); Dr Peter J. Timoney (Health and Agricultural Sciences); Sarah Keane, CEO Swim Ireland (Law); Dr Shourjya Sanyal, physicist turned innovation strategist (Research, Innovation and Impact); Dr \u00dana McCarthy-Fakhry, STEM education specialist (Science); Paul O’Brien, human rights advocate (Social Sciences); and Louise Quinn, retired international footballer (Sport).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our awardees’ stories serve as inspiration for the next generation of UCD students and faculty<\/sup>. The event also highlighted the enduring strength of the UCD network<\/sup>. By staying connected, sharing their journeys, and mentoring those who follow, this year’s awardees prove that a UCD education is not just a degree; it creates a lifelong community<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Beauty<\/a>
Beauty entrepreneur Aimee Connolly celebrates her UCD Alumni Award.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"UCD<\/a>
UCD Alumni Award for 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"UCD<\/a>
UCD Musical Society performers, Elijah Lopez, Chloe Burke, Yvette McDonnell and Robert Hogan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"UCD<\/a>
UCD Alumni Awardees 2025: Sarah Keane, Dr Shourjya Sanyal, Louise Quinn, Aimee Connelly, UCD President, Prof. Orla Feely, Holly Ryan (representing Emily O\u2019Reilly), Dr Peter J. Timoney, Dr \u00dana McCarthy-Fakhry, Niall McLaughlin and UCD Deputy President, Prof. Colin Scott.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Tom<\/a>
Tom O’Connor, ex-Chair UCD Foundation, Triona McCormack, VP Strategy and External Engagement, and Marie O’Connor, ex-Chair UCD Governing Authority.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Student<\/a>
Student performers Sorcha Quigley and Jack Costello of the UCD Traditional Music Practices Group.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Prof.<\/a>
Prof. Michael Keane, Principal, UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, Dr Peter J. Timoney, UCD Alumni Awardee in Health and Agricultural Sciences, and Prof. Rory Breathnach, Dean, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Prof.<\/a>
Prof. Imelda Maher and Sarah Keane, UCD Alumni Awardee in Law.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Paul<\/a>
Paul O’Brien, UCD Alumni Awardee in Social Sciences, with Prof. Niamh Moore-Cherry, Principal, UCD College of Social Sciences and Law.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Louise<\/a>
Louise Quinn, UCD Alumni Awardee in Sport.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Liam<\/a>
Liam Cronin, Director of Innovation, NovaUCD; Nitheen Kaperi Sanyal; Dr Shourjya Sanyal, UCD Alumni Awardee in Research, Innovation and Impact; Prof. Kate Robson Brown, UCD VP Research, Innovation and Impact; Dipti Pandya, Director, UCD Research; and Prof. Orla Feely, President of UCD.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jordan<\/a>
Jordan Campbell, CEO of UCD Foundation, at the Alumni Awards.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Holly<\/a>
Holly Ryan (daughter of Alumni Awardee Emily O\u2019Reilly) and Prof. Regina U\u00ed Chollat\u00e1in, Principal, UCD College of Arts and Humanities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Ciara<\/a>
Ciara O’Connor, UCD Rugby Club Manager; Suzanne Bailey, Sports Development Manager at UCD; and Dominic O’Keeffe, Director of Student Services & Facilities at UCD.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In October 2025, the University College Dublin community came together for a special evening of celebration at the UCD Alumni Awards. Under the expert stewardship of broadcaster Pat Kenny, the annual awards honoured nine remarkable graduates who exemplify leadership, excellence and impact across a diverse range of disciplines. Their groundbreaking work spans the arts, equine…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":12179,"template":"","event_categories":[247],"class_list":["post-11456","events","type-events","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","event_categories-247"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAwards - 2026 Alumni Relations - UCD Connections<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/alumni.ucd.ie\/magazine\/events\/awards-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Awards - 2026 Alumni Relations - UCD Connections\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In October 2025, the University College Dublin community came together for a special evening of celebration at the UCD Alumni Awards. 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