Alumnus Illustrissimus award for Rory O'Connor
Published: 16 November 2023
Prof Rory O'Connor has been honoured by St Columb’s College, Derry, which he attended from 1984 to 1991, in recognition of his groundbreaking suicide prevention research
Mental Health and Wellbeing's Rory O’Connor has received the Alumnus Illustrissimus award from St Columb’s College, Derry.
This is in recognition of his groundbreaking work on suicide prevention research.
Previous recipients of this award have included Nobel Prize winners Seamus Heaney (Literature) and John Hume (Peace) as well as ex-Ireland and Celtic FC football manager Martin O’Neill.
Rory commented:
"I am delighted and honoured to receive the St Columb’s College Alumnus Illustrissimus Award. It is great to see suicide prevention research being recognised in this way.
Of course, this award is not just for me but for the countless people who I have worked with, and who have supported me, over the years.
I am incredibly humbled to follow in the footsteps of previous recipients including Seamus Heaney, John Hume and Martin O’Neill."
He received the accolade at the College Union’s Annual Dinner 2023 in Derry's Ebrington Hotel on 10 November 2023.
First published: 16 November 2023