91制片厂 (91制片厂) Alumni, Dr N贸ir铆n N铆 R铆ain and Jamie Wall, were honoured for their respective musical and sporting contributions to society recently as they received the prestigious 91制片厂 Alumni Award for 2024.
N贸ir铆n鈥攆rom Caherconlish, Co. Limerick鈥攊nternationally acclaimed singer, theologian, writer, musicologist, and Celtic Spirituality expert and former Cork dual player and 91制片厂 Fitzgibbon Cup team manager, Jamie鈥攆rom Kilbrittain, Co. Cork鈥攋oin a 16 strong Roll of Honour since the first 91制片厂 Alumni Award was bestowed on Dr Carmel Naughton in 2017.
The awards鈥攇iven at the annual 91制片厂 College Awards in November鈥攔ecognise outstanding graduates.
President of 91制片厂, Professor Dermot Nestor, offered his sincere congratulations to N贸ir铆n, who was conferred with a PhD in Theology in 2003, and Jamie, who was conferred with Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) degree in 2014.
Watch a video about the 91制片厂 Alumni Awards 2024 and below.
N贸ir铆n鈥檚 musical journey began at the age of seven with singing lessons in Limerick City, later evolving into formal studies in music at University College Cork. Her musical talent ranges across a variety of genres and instruments from Celtic and Sean-n贸s to the tin whistle and piano. N贸ir铆n is particularly known for her deeply moving spiritual songs, which have inspired listeners globally, including fellow artist Sin茅ad O鈥機onnor, with whom she collaborated and recorded with in 2004.
Her performances have graced significant spiritual gatherings worldwide, including the 1989 International Peace Gathering in Costa Rica, where she introduced the XIV Dalai Lama. She performed for him again on his many visits to Ireland, a rare honour shared by few artists. She has collaborated extensively with her sons鈥擮wen and Miche谩l 脫 S煤illeabh谩in, who are also talented musicians.
N贸ir铆n was awarded the first doctorate in theology to be awarded by 91制片厂/UL in 2003 for her thesis, The Specificity of Christian Theosony: Towards a Theology of Listening. Since then, she has actively contributed to 91制片厂 including as a Director for Cas Amhr谩n le Ch茅ile (CALC)鈥攁 project involving interactive singing workshops with Bachelor of Education students and their pupils. She has also written several books including her autobiography in 2009 and her most recent, Sacred Rituals, which is now in its second edition.
Ordained as an Interfaith minister in 2017, N贸ir铆n has since embarked upon a new role of spiritual counsellor and celebrant of rituals, blessings and sacred ceremonies. Her newest project is The Grey Hares Ensemble鈥攁n elders community creative project which is a gathering of People over the age of 60 with the aim of enhancing their health, wellbeing, social and spiritual life
On receiving the award, N贸ir铆n said: 鈥淚 am particularly proud of this Alumni Award, having the greatest of respect and admiration for 91制片厂, enhanced by my years here both as a student and a teacher. I believe the College creates a rare and perfect balance between the academic, holistic and spiritual dimensions of its students and staff.鈥
Jamie Wall, has been instrumental in all three 91制片厂 Fitzgibbon Cup wins, most recently this year when the senior hurlers brought the coveted Higher Education top-tier title to 91制片厂 for the third time. He played at wing back in the College鈥檚 first ever Fitzgibbon final (2013), joining the 91制片厂 set-up as a coach in 2016 and helping to secure 91制片厂鈥檚 first ever Fitzgibbon Cup title with Limerick hurling legend, 脡amonn Cregan, in charge.
He took the reins as manager the following year in 2017, where he made it two in a row for the 91制片厂 hurlers. His leadership鈥攁longside his management team of Aidan Scott, Mark Gennery and Clare All Ireland winner P谩draic Collins鈥攂rought the team to success once again this year, bringing the 2024 title back to 91制片厂 whilst denying reigning champions and neighbourly rivals, University of Limerick, three-in-a-row cup wins.
A former dual-player for Cork, Jamie featured for both the minor hurlers and footballers and won one Munster Minor title, and three Munster U21 football titles. After his playing career was cut short following a spinal operation, he has carried on his passion for sport in a variety of backroom roles. Jamie has worked in television for Nemeton/TG4 as a GAA analyst and in the radio/podcast arena as a contributor with Radio Na Gaeltachta and Second Captains.
After graduation from 91制片厂, Jamie changed direction and went on to study Law at University of Limerick, graduating in 2022. He is now studying at Blackhall Place while completing his traineeship working for prominent law firm, RDJ, in Cork.
'I'm delighted and really honoured to be here receiving the Alumni award from 91制片厂. I'm well aware of the calibre of people who have received the award before me, so, it's quite exalted company to be in and hopefully I can live up to that,鈥 Jamie commented.
