Mary Immaculate College (MIC) Alumni, Dr Nóirín Ní Ríain and Jamie Wall, were honoured for their respective musical and sporting contributions to society recently as they received the prestigious MIC Alumni Award for 2024.
Nóirín—from Caherconlish, Co. Limerick—internationally acclaimed singer, theologian, writer, musicologist, and Celtic Spirituality expert and former Cork dual player and MIC Fitzgibbon Cup team manager, Jamie—from Kilbrittain, Co. Cork—join a 16 strong Roll of Honour since the first MIC Alumni Award was bestowed on Dr Carmel Naughton in 2017.
The awards—given at the annual MIC College Awards in November—recognise outstanding graduates.
President of MIC, Professor Dermot Nestor, offered his sincere congratulations to Nóirín, who was conferred with a PhD in Theology in 2003, and Jamie, who was conferred with Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) degree in 2014.
Watch a video about the MIC Alumni Awards 2024 here and below.
Nóirín’s musical journey began at the age of seven with singing lessons in Limerick City, later evolving into formal studies in music at University College Cork. Her musical talent ranges across a variety of genres and instruments from Celtic and Sean-nós to the tin whistle and piano. Nóirín is particularly known for her deeply moving spiritual songs, which have inspired listeners globally, including fellow artist Sinéad O’Connor, with whom she collaborated and recorded with in 2004.
Her performances have graced significant spiritual gatherings worldwide, including the 1989 International Peace Gathering in Costa Rica, where she introduced the XIV Dalai Lama. She performed for him again on his many visits to Ireland, a rare honour shared by few artists. She has collaborated extensively with her sons—Owen and Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, who are also talented musicians.
Nóirín was awarded the first doctorate in theology to be awarded by MIC/UL in 2003 for her thesis, The Specificity of Christian Theosony: Towards a Theology of Listening. Since then, she has actively contributed to MIC including as a Director for Cas Amhrán le Chéile (CALC)—a project involving interactive singing workshops with Bachelor of Education students and their pupils. She has also written several books including her autobiography in 2009 and her most recent, Sacred Rituals, which is now in its second edition.
Ordained as an Interfaith minister in 2017, Nóirín has since embarked upon a new role of spiritual counsellor and celebrant of rituals, blessings and sacred ceremonies. Her newest project is The Grey Hares Ensemble—an elders community creative project which is a gathering of People over the age of 60 with the aim of enhancing their health, wellbeing, social and spiritual life
On receiving the award, Nóirín said: “I am particularly proud of this Alumni Award, having the greatest of respect and admiration for MIC, enhanced by my years here both as a student and a teacher. I believe the College creates a rare and perfect balance between the academic, holistic and spiritual dimensions of its students and staff.”
Jamie Wall, has been instrumental in all three MIC Fitzgibbon Cup wins, most recently this year when the senior hurlers brought the coveted Higher Education top-tier title to Mary Immaculate College for the third time. He played at wing back in the College’s first ever Fitzgibbon final (2013), joining the MIC set-up as a coach in 2016 and helping to secure MIC’s first ever Fitzgibbon Cup title with Limerick hurling legend, Éamonn Cregan, in charge.
He took the reins as manager the following year in 2017, where he made it two in a row for the MIC hurlers. His leadership—alongside his management team of Aidan Scott, Mark Gennery and Clare All Ireland winner Pádraic Collins—brought the team to success once again this year, bringing the 2024 title back to MIC whilst denying reigning champions and neighbourly rivals, University of Limerick, three-in-a-row cup wins.
A former dual-player for Cork, Jamie featured for both the minor hurlers and footballers and won one Munster Minor title, and three Munster U21 football titles. After his playing career was cut short following a spinal operation, he has carried on his passion for sport in a variety of backroom roles. Jamie has worked in television for Nemeton/TG4 as a GAA analyst and in the radio/podcast arena as a contributor with Radio Na Gaeltachta and Second Captains.
After graduation from MIC, Jamie changed direction and went on to study Law at University of Limerick, graduating in 2022. He is now studying at Blackhall Place while completing his traineeship working for prominent law firm, RDJ, in Cork.
'I'm delighted and really honoured to be here receiving the Alumni award from MIC. I'm well aware of the calibre of people who have received the award before me, so, it's quite exalted company to be in and hopefully I can live up to that,” Jamie commented.
