Patrick Kielty awarded honorary doctorate from Ulster University
The County Down comedian and presenter received the award in recognition of outstanding contribution to the arts
County Down comedian and presenter Patrick Kielty has been given an honorary doctorate from Ulster University.
The Late Late Show host received the award in recognition of outstanding contribution to the arts.
His wife Cat Deeley couldn't make it to the ceremony because of This Morning hosting duties.
Kielty joked, “I mean she didn’t believe it either….she still thinks I’m back here for a couple of days on the beer, pretending I’ve got an honorary degree”
During a speech at the Ulster University graduation ceremony yesterday evening the comedian spoke about Northern Ireland’s journey to peace.
He told students, “You’re the generation that are showing my generation how to live and how to share this place properly. The most important thing about the Good Friday Agreement wasn’t the agreement part…it was actually the space to allow people to disagree peacefully.”
“My generation found that really hard. Plenty before them couldn’t do it at all, but you have.”
“It’s your generation that are teaching mine and the rest of the world that peace is actually possible…and when you look at what’s going on in the world today it goes to show how special that is. For that I just want to say one thing; thank you.”
Also recognised by Ulster University yesterday was community activist Betty Carlisle MBE, who was celebrated for her outstanding contribution to promoting shared education and empowering women from disadvantaged and deprived areas of Northern Ireland.
Betty spent 37 years dedicated to improving the lives of women and their families in north and west Belfast, with 23 of those served as CEO of Shankill Women’s Centre.