DCU Alumni Awards 2025
This year, we are celebrating the wonderful contribution and impact by 10 of our graduates across the world. With more than 120,000 alumni, our community continues to grow and we have so much to celebrate.
Tadhg Beirne
Tadhg Beirne
BA Business Studies, 2014
Professional Rugby Player
Tadhg Beirne is a professional rugby player with Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. A native of Eadstown, Co. Kildare, Tadhg studied Business at DCU while building his rugby career at the Leinster Rugby Academy. Read More...
Julie Connelly
Julie Connelly is the co-founder and CEO of AI Mapit, a spinout of the ADAPT Research Centre that uses AI and computer vision to create digital maps of roadside infrastructure enabling telecoms and utility companies to manage their physical infrastructure efficiently and sustainably. Read More...
Niamh Donnelly
Niamh Donnelly
BEng Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, 2013
Co-Founder and CTO, Akara Robotics
Niamh Donnelly is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Akara Robotics, a company developing autonomous systems conceived and designed to improve hospital efficiency and enhance patient care through AI-powered sensing and robotics. Read More...
Ann Jackson
Ann Jackson is the retired former principal of the Central Remedial Clinic Special School who spent five decades working as an educationalist, consultant and lecturer in Special Education in Ireland. Read More...
Justin Kelly
Justin Kelly
Masters in Business Administration, 2018
Garda Commissioner, An Garda Síochána
Justin Kelly is the Garda Commissioner with responsibility for the overall management, direction, and operation of policing in Ireland. Read More...
Kevin McGuigan
Kevin McGuigan is Professor of Medical Physics in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Director of the RCSI Solar Disinfection Research Group. Read More...
Oonagh McPhillips
Oonagh McPhillips
MA Political and Public Communication, 2010
Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
Oonagh McPhillips is Secretary General of the Department of Justice, the first woman in this role in the department’s 100+ year history. Read More...
Sinéad McPhillips
Sinéad McPhillips is Secretary General of Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, a role she took up in October 2025, the first woman to hold this post. Read More...
Paula Prunty
Paula Prunty
BSc Sport Science and Health, 2003
Operations and Planning Manager, LGFA
Paula Prunty is the National Operations and Planning Manager for the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and also holds the Association’s roles of National Children’s Officer, Mandated Person and Data Protection Officer. Read More...
Eddie Wilson
Eddie Wilson is the CEO of Ryanair where he has been part of the company’s dynamic and fast growth oriented senior leadership team since 1997. Read More...