Outgoing GAA Director General Liam Mulvihill was presented with an honorary degree today.
He was among five people conferred at Trinity College Dublin. These included the first Muslim woman and Iranian to win the Nobel Peace Prize Shirin Ebadi, renowned soprano Veronica Dunne, former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and former Nigerian government minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Mr Mulvihill, who announced his retirement in July, was conferred with a Doctor in Laws.
"He succeeded in transforming the association's image and making it more inclusive," a Trinity College spokeswoman said.
"He oversaw the inclusion of women's football into the GAA, led the refurbishment of Croke Park and the development of a museum there and worked tirelessly for the removal of clause 42 and the opening of Croke Park to rugby and soccer," she said.
He was the second longest serving occupant of the Association's most senior administrative office and only the fourth incumbent since 1901.
He was a member of the GAA's Central Council for many years prior to his elevation to Director General and oversaw the development of Croke Park.
His successor Paraic Duffy will take up office in the new year. Ms Ebadi was conferred with a Doctor of Laws.
She is the first Iranian and first Muslim woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and was also the first appointed female judge in Iran, later demoted from that position when the revolutionaries removed all women from the bench.
Ms Dunne received a Doctor in Music for her contribution to music in Ireland. She is also a teacher at DIT College of Music as well as the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Ms Okonjo-Iweala, who was conferred with a Doctor of Letters, was Finance Minister of Nigeria from 2003-2006 and was also Foreign Minister for a brief period. She has since left political life and has been appointed this month as Managing Director of the World Bank.
Vike-Freiberga, awarded Doctor in Laws, was President of the Republic of Latvia from 1999 up until July of this year.