A SCIENTIST, a novelist and a former judge were among those honoured at the annual Lord Mayor’s awards last night.
The occasion also marked the 20th anniversary of the awards, which honour individuals and groups who have made a special contribution to Dublin.
Among the recipients were president of the Law Reform Commission and former Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness, novelist Sebastian Barry, Senator David Norris and Prof Patrick Cunningham, chief scientific adviser to the Government.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne said she was honouring Mrs Justice McGuinness “for her contribution to the lives of children and families in the city through her pioneering work”, while Prof Cunningham was honoured “for his leadership role when a high-level committee of representatives from science, education and industry successfully competed to host the European City of Science in Dublin, in 2012”.
Mrs Justice McGuinness said: “It’s a very great honour to receive this award, particularly alongside the Artane School of Music as I sing in a choir myself.”
Mr Norris said: “I’m delighted as I’ve never got anything like this before. I got a gold medal from the Brazilian Academy of Letters, but I think that was a case of mistaken identity.” He was happy to be receiving the award with Sebastian Barry as Mr Barry “used to do some of his writing in my basement”. It was 15 years ago, Anne Enright would be writing away on the top floor and Sebastian Barry in the basement – it was all very literary in Dublin 1, he added.
Commenting on the award, Mr Barry said that “it is a writer’s dream to be honoured in your own city”.