Limerick university honours its ‘outstanding graduates’

MARY Immaculate College (MIC) Alumni, Dr Nóirín Ní Ríain and Jamie Wall, were honoured for their respective musical and sporting contributions to society as they received the MIC Alumni Award.

Caherconlish native Nóirín, an internationally acclaimed singer, theologian, writer, musicologist, and Celtic Spirituality expert, and former Cork GAA dual player and MIC Fitzgibbon Cup hurling team manager, Jamie, join a 16 strong roll of honour since the first MIC Alumni Award was bestowed on Dr Carmel Naughton in 2017.

The awards, given at the annual MIC College Awards in November, recognise "outstanding graduates". 

President of MIC, Professor Dermot Nestor, offered his sincere congratulations to Nóirín, who was conferred with the first doctorate in theology to be awarded by MIC/UL in 2003.

Nóirín’s 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-nós to the tin whistle and piano.

She is particularly known for her deeply moving spiritual songs, which have inspired listeners globally, including fellow artist Sinéad O’Connor, with whom she collaborated and recorded with in 2004.

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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.

Nóirín has collaborated extensively with her sons—Owen and Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, who are also talented musicians.

Since graduating from the university, she has actively contributed to MIC including as a Director for Cas Amhrán le Chéile (CALC)—a 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, Nóirín 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—an 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, Nóirín said: “I am particularly proud of this Alumni Award, having the greatest of respect and admiration for MIC, 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.”