Trade union activist Billy Attley, the former secretary-general of the Department of Finance Seán Cromien and property entrepreneur Paddy Kelly were among those awarded honorary fellowships from the National College of Ireland yesterday for their contributions to Irish society.
Speaking at the ceremony, college chairman and businessman Denis O'Brien commended all the honorary fellows for their "significant contributions" to Irish society and their respective disciplines. Fellowships were also awarded to Baroness May Blood, Prof John Hopcroft and Prof Áine Hyland.
Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, at the event to present the citation for Mr Attley, said the trade union activist had lived a life of protracted endeavour. "His legacy is seen all around us today in the modern society we have had the good fortune to enjoy," Mr Reynolds told the audience. "Few would doubt the critical role played by Billy in fostering the climate that allowed this economy to flourish."
Delivering the citation to Mr Cromien, entrepreneur Dermot Desmond said Ireland and, in particular its financial services sector, would be a very different place today without his efforts.
The audience also heard property developer Paddy Kelly described as an "unstoppable entrepreneur" whose achievements are quite "breathtaking."
