Cork Alliance Centre CEO Sheila Connolly honoured by UCC for two decades of advocacy

The CEO of the Cork Alliance Centre, Sheila Connolly, has been honoured by University College Cork (UCC) with an honorary master of arts, in recognition of her contribution to social justice, rehabilitation, and for supporting people to rebuild their lives after imprisonment.

For more than 22 years, Ms Connolly has been the driving force behind the Cork Alliance Centre, providing services to people who are seeking a fresh start, including resettlement support, addiction recovery, education, employment opportunities, and mental-health care.

Her career was shaped by her earlier work with Concern Worldwide, in East Africa, where she witnessed the devastating consequences of conflict, genocide, and trauma.

Ms Connolly said she was “deeply honoured” to receive this honorary masters from UCC, and dedicated the award to the many people she has worked with over the past two decades.

“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,” said Ms Connolly.

“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.”

UCC professor John O’Halloran said Ms Connolly is 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,” said Mr O’Halloran.

“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.”

Aside from this recent accolade, Ms Connolly’s contributions to Cork and beyond have earned her widespread recognition, including being named Cork Person of the Month in May 2024.