Pat Kavanagh receives honorary doctorate from DCU

Dublin City University has conferred the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) on community leader Pat Kavanagh.

She joins noted figures from politics, sport, literature and industry in receiving this award from DCU, including President Mary McAleese, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Paula Meehan, Sen George Mitchell, Roddy Doyle, Seamus Heaney, Moya Brennan and most recently, John Saunders.

Born in 1953 in Cabra, Pat attended St. Catherine’s Primary School Cabra until the age of 11.

Mother to six children, she returned to formal education at the age of 38 – taking a personal development course, which led to studying for her Leaving Certificate.

Pat Kavanagh and her husband PJ at the ceremony in the Mahony Hall in The Helix on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Picture credit: Julien Behal

She went to work in community organisations, first in Finglas as a CE worker and then gained full time employment in the Ballymun Job Centre in 1999.

She returned to education, to Maynooth University, completing a certificate in Adult Guidance.

During her time in Ballymun, Pat has been a key person in many innovative projects and initiatives that have had a positive impact on the young people of Ballymun and the community.

Notably the most successful has been Ballyrunners.

The programme provides participants with the skills (confidence, motivation, self-esteem and outlook for the future) to successfully apply for education, training and or employment.

Pat sits on a number of interagency initiatives Equal Youth, Strive and the Treatment and Rehabilitation sub committee.

She works closely with the Ballymun community Gardaí and the Probation service developing positive relationships, ensuring that young people are provided with diversion opportunities, building trust between the young people and the criminal justice services.

Though retired since 2019, Pat continues to be a member of the team in the Ballymun Job Centre, working with the young people who sign up for Ballyrunners, giving them her support and guidance.

In her citation, delivered at the event, Prof Anne Looney, Executive Dean of the Institute of Education at Dublin City University, said:

“Pat’s philosophy has always been about nurturing young people’s natural talents. A key aspect of Pat’s thinking is to erase any negative experiences of schooling by creating a positive learning environment where these young people can achieve and succeed.

“Pat Kavanagh is a transformer on our doorstep.

“Since I joined DCU, I have attended the awarding of honorary degrees to former presidents and Taoisigh, to nobel prize winners, captains of industry, peace makers, internationally celebrated musicians and poets. But impact can also be local; whether in a kitchen or in a community project. Making a difference in the world begins by making a difference in someone’s world.

“For almost 25 years Pat Kavanagh has done this for countless young men and women in Ballymun.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Pat Kavanagh said:

“In bestowing this honour on me, DCU is recognising not only my work but the work that is happening each day in the community and voluntary sector.

“I am here today representing all of those people that work tirelessly in the community, encouraging and supporting people to overcome their barriers, encouraging them to progress into further learning and education.

“My job is not a job, it is something I do that I enjoy beyond description, although challenging at times it is a challenge that I relish.

“How lucky am I to engage with those young people, to get to know them, to understand them and to be part of their journey.

“To hear their stories, stories sometimes of great trauma. but also, of great resilience.

“How could I not love my work? I am so grateful to those young people for allowing me into their lives.”

Prof Daire Keogh, President of Dublin City University said:

“With her passionate belief in the power of education and her dedication to empowering young people to be their best selves, Pat Kavanagh personifies the DCU mission ‘to transform lives and societies’.

“Her work in the community has been transformative for Ballymun and north Dublin and she is a worthy recipient of the highest honour that our University can bestow.”