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Honorary doctorate for Malin
philanthropist
08.09.11
by Linda McGrory
AN Inishowen philanthropist has been conferred with
an honorary doctorate from an English university in
recognition of his tireless work for the elderly and
young people.
Malin-based Michael Connolly was recently awarded
the doctorate in Business Science by the University
of Bedfordshire.
The 81 year old Mayo-born entrepreneur emigrated to
England like thousands of others in the 1950s. He
set up a highly successful building company with his
brothers.
Michael subsequently established the Kathleen and
Michael Connolly Foundation following the unexpected
death of his beloved wife, Kathleen, in 1999. Malin-born
Kathleen, who herself emigrated to England, became a
local councillor there and recognised the needs of
Irish immigrants, particularly as they got older. |
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Michael Connolly who has been awarded
an honorary doctorate for his philanthropic work.
Michael established the K&M Connolly Foundation
sheltered housing centre in Malin village and
provides eduction bursaries for young people in
Bedfordshire. |
The foundation runs a
much-needed sheltered accommodation centre and a day
care facility for returned emigrants and local
pensioners in Malin village.
In Bedfordshire, England, the foundation provides
bursaries to pay for the education of disadvantaged
young people.
Michael Connolly's nephew and spokesman, Graham
Gillen, yesterday paid tribute to his uncle and said
the honorary university award was "much deserved".
"Michael was delighted and very proud that his work
over these many years in memory of Kathleen has been
recognised," he said.
"The foundation was set up as a result of Michael's
own experience and Kathleen's experience working on
the council. They saw people in housing hardship who
came from similar economic backgrounds to
themselves. It gave Michael great solace after
losing Kathleen that he could set this up to help
people in her memory.”
A trustee of the Connolly Foundation in Britain,
Michael Callaghan, collected the parchment on his
behalf on graduation day. But there were great
celebrations and well wishes too for the
newly-conferred Dr Connolly from all the locals back
in Malin. |
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