'An inspiration to generations': Mary Robinson honoured with inaugural UCC award

The former president of Ireland Mary Robinson has been honoured with the inaugural Seán MacBride award from the UCC philosophical society.

The award recognises individuals who have demonstrated the courage to challenge convention, confront injustice and make a lasting contribution to public life and public discourse.

Ms Robinson, the first woman to serve as president of Ireland and a former United Nations high commissioner for human rights, was selected as the inaugural recipient of the award in recognition of her contribution to Irish public life, along with her decades of advocacy for human rights, gender equality and climate justice.

The accolade honours the legacy of Seán MacBride, the Irish lawyer, politician and Nobel peace prize laureate.

Paul Scanlan, chairperson of UCC philosophical society, said that Mary Robinson “epitomises the principles of independent thought and an unflinching pursuit of progress that the Seán MacBride award for independent thought seeks to promote.

“She has been an inspiration to generations of men and women worldwide over many years.”