THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.

Read more about the RIA
  • Home

Presidential Distinguished Service Award Winners

05 December 2019

Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Ian Gibson two of our Honorary Members are to receive the 2019 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad today from President Higgins.

The Presidential Distinguished Service Award was established by the Government following the 2011 Global Irish Economic Forum as a means to recognise the contribution and achievements of members of the Irish diaspora, and the first awards were made in 2012. A total of 189 nominations were considered and the level and breadth of the achievements was outstanding. This year's recipients are

Arts, Culture and Sport
Ian Gibson Hon. MRIA (Spain)
Charlotte Moore and Ciaran O’Reilly (US)

Business and Education
Paul Drechsler (Britain)
Michael Kenneally and Rhona Richman Kenneally (Canada)

Charitable Works
Fr. Patrick Clarke (Brazil)
Bernard Lynch (Britain)

Irish Community Support
Jackie Donohoe (US)

Peace, Reconciliation and Development
Sally O’Neill Sanchez (deceased - Honduras)

Science and Technology
Jocelyn Bell Burnell Hon. MRIA (Britain)
William Howlett (Tanzania)

 

 

Membership

Stay up to date with the Royal Irish Academy newsletter

Sign up now

You might also like...

Annual Review 2022
16 March 2023

The 2022 Annual Review of the Royal Irish Academy is available now to view online and download.

Membership
Celebration for 2020 and 2021 elected Members
20 December 2022

We were delighted to welcome our 2020 and 2021 elected Members to the RIA on Friday, 16 December for a celebratory day, acknowledging their achievements, as they had missed out on an in-person Admittance Day during the...

Membership