RTE newsreader and Irish Times journalist honoured by NUIG

Irish Times Western correspondent Lorna Siggins and RTÉ newsreader Michael Murphy were both awarded honorary master of arts degrees by NUI Galway yesterday.

Ms Siggins began her career in journalism in 1988 and after spending 10 years in The Irish Times newsroom covering news and marine affairs, she took up the position of Western correspondent, based in Galway.

In 1993, she spent seven weeks in the Himalayas with Dawson Stelfox, the first Irishman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. She is also a published author on Everest, the volunteer sea rescue services, former president Mary Robinson and the Corrib Gas controversy in Mayo.

Mr Murphy, who combines a broadcasting career with his work in psychoanalysis, lectures in the subject at UCD and St Vincent’s hospital in Dublin.

His 2009 memoir, detailing his battle with prostate cancer, also addressed child abuse and sexuality. The memoir was followed by a collection of poetry and a second memoir is due for publication.

NUI Galway will confer honorary degrees over the coming days on director of the Galway Education Centre Bernard Kirk; journalist and author Liam Mac Con Iomaire; writer and historian Micheál Ó Conghaile; and businessman and community activist Thomas Roche.