Mary Robinson and Patrick Kielty to receive honorary degrees from Ulster University

Former Irish president Mary Robinson and comedian and TV host Patrick Kielty are set to receive honorary doctorates from Ulster University this summer.

Editor of US Glamour, Samantha Barry, is also being honoured by the University, as is author and artist Oliver Jeffers, and journalist Eamonn Mallie.

Shankill Women's Centre CEO Betty Carlisle, and Sister Nuala Kelly who helped transform St Louise's College in west Belfast, will also be recognised.

Robinson was the first female President of Ireland and served in the role between 1990 and 1997.

She has already been awarded honorary doctorates by Brown University, University of Cambridge, University of Liverpool and Lisbon Nova University, as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

An upcoming documentary about the former President is also coming to cinemas this August.

Kielty started out at a Belfast comedy club before gaining success as a presenter on Love Island, This Morning and BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, and recently took over as host on the Late Late Show.

Samantha Barry, originally from Cork, currently living in New York where she is Glamour’s global editorial director for the Americas, is being celebrated for her achievements in journalism.

Eamonn Mallie is being recognised for his significant contribution to journalism and broadcasting and Carlisle is to be recognised for her work promoting shared education and empowering women from disadvantaged and deprived areas.

Sr Nuala Kelly is to be recognised for her outstanding contribution to the local community after her work in St Louisa’s College in west Belfast.

Ulster University vice-chancellor Prof Paul Bartholomew said they are aiming to celebrate inspirational local people making a global impact.

"We are committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders who will go on to make a genuine difference in their communities and respective professions in the years that follow their time at Ulster University,” He said.

"With that future in mind, it is a joy to celebrate the work of those inspirational and acclaimed local faces already making a global impact, and we are thrilled to bestow these honorary doctorates.”

"These individuals are leaders in their fields and demonstrate great talent, creativity and integrity."

The ceremony comes during a year of celebrations marking 175 years of the Belfast School of Art at the university.

The honorary doctorates will be presented during summer graduations taking place from 1 July to 9 July in Belfast, Coleraine and Derry.