Ulster University welcomed the 2025 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Award recipients to a special event on Friday 17 October at the Martha Magee building in Derry~Londonderry.
The gathering, held in partnership with Donegal County Council, supported by the Minister’s Magee Expansion Taskforce and the Department for the Economy, was hosted by Professor Paul Moore who offered a warm welcome to this year’s distinguished honourees: Danny Hutton, Vincent Keaveny, and Eileen and Seán Donaghey.
The event provided an opportunity for students, staff, and members of the local community to engage with the awardees ahead of the formal awards ceremony later that evening in Buncrana. Guests heard personal reflections from the recipients, whose achievements span music, civic leadership, and community service across the globe.
Celebrating global impact rooted in Irish heritage
The Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards, named in honour of the late U.S. Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, celebrate individuals of Irish descent who have made outstanding contributions to their fields while maintaining strong ties to their heritage. This year’s recipients exemplify the diversity and reach of Ireland’s global community.
Speaking at the event, Professor Malachy Ó Néill, Director of Regional Engagement, said:
“It was a privilege to welcome the 2025 Tip O’Neill awardees to Magee. Their stories, rooted in Donegal and carried across continents, are a testament to the enduring strength of Ireland’s diaspora. At Ulster University, we are proud to be a place where heritage, innovation and global citizenship intersect, and today’s event was a powerful reflection of that.”
Among the honourees was Danny Hutton, founding member and lead vocalist of the legendary American rock band Three Dog Night, who was born in Buncrana and has sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
Reflecting on his return to the North West, Danny Hutton said:
“Being back in Buncrana and visiting Ulster University is really incredible. I am so proud of my Irish heritage and to be part of this event with students and community members has made this return to my home that much more exciting.”
Also recognised were Vincent Keaveny, the first Irish-born Lord Mayor of the City of London, and Eileen and Seán Donaghey, whose decades of community work in Sydney have made them beloved figures in the Irish-Australian diaspora.
Celebrations in Buncrana
Later that evening, the Inishowen Gateway Hotel hosted the Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards ceremony, where the honourees were formally celebrated for their contributions to civic leadership, culture, and community. The event was hosted by broadcaster Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, and featured tributes that highlighted the global impact of the Irish diaspora.
Ulster University is delighted to support initiatives that celebrate Irish heritage and global achievement, and looks forward to continuing its partnership with Donegal County Council in honouring the legacy of Ireland’s diaspora.
