Irish Timeseditor Geraldine Kennedy was honoured by Queen's University in Belfast today.
Ms Kennedy, the first female editor of a major Irish newspaper, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of the University for services to journalism.
Delivering the citation, Politics Prof Richard English described Ms Kennedy as "a world-renowned and pioneering Irish journalist, whose achievements have deservedly gained her great respect and admiration, both within and beyond the journalistic and political communities".
Born in Co Tipperary, Ms Kennedy has worked for the Munster Express, Cork Examiner, Sunday Tribuneand The Irish Times.
In 1987 she became a Progressive Democrat TD in the Dáil, where she spent two years
She was appointed political editor of The Irish Timesin 1999 and editor in 2002.
Prof English recalled her successfully suing the Fianna Fáil government led by Charles Haughey in 1987 for invasion of privacy. Her telephone had been tapped in 1982 in a government attempt to establish the source of political leaks.
"Geraldine Kennedy's public courage in this famous encounter reflected the admirable integrity which has been the foundation of her deeply impressive career," said Prof English.