Rhona and Michael Kenneally of Concordia University, Montreal, to receive Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad
Concordia University’s School of Irish Studies is very pleased to share the good news that Rhona and Michael Kenneally have each been chosen to receive the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad for 2019. The announcement was made by the Tánaiste (Deputy Head of Government) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney. The Awards will be presented next month by Irish President Michael D. Higgins, in Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence and workplace of the Irish Head of State.
The press release notes the following:
“Dr
Michael Kenneally and Dr Rhona Richman Kenneally, working in tandem, have
dedicated much of their lives to promoting Irish educational interests in
Canada, most notably through the foundation of the School of Irish Studies in
Concordia University, Montreal. The success of the School is attributable to
the leadership and strategic vision of Michael and Rhona, and their commitment
to the promotion of sustained excellence in Irish studies. Michael and Rhona
through their endeavours have made the School a resounding success and an
important part of the Montreal community….
Dr.
Michael Kenneally, [Principal of the School], has been a leading contributor to
the Irish community in Montreal over the last 40 years. He served as
Ireland’s Honorary Consul General in Montreal since 2002, [and] he is a former
President of St Patrick’s Society, the leading Irish-Canadian organisation in
the city….
Dr. Rhona
Richman Kenneally is a Professor in the Department of Design and Computation
Arts, and a Fellow of the School…. She is the editor of the Canadian
Journal of Irish Studies. She has been central in establishing the
transdisciplinary focus of the School, … perhaps the most innovative
feature of the School’s reputation.
They are
richly deserving of recognition for their joint efforts to strengthen and
reimagine the landscape of Irish Studies.”