The award takes the form of a bronze sculpture of Saint Columba leaving Derry for Iona by sculptor Eamonn O’Doherty.
Recipients over the last 30 years were: 1994 The Most Reverend Edward Daly, D.D; 1995 John Hume, Nobel Laureate; 1996 Seamus Heaney, Nobel Laureate; 1997 Brian Friel, Playwright; 1998 Sean Mullan, Neurosurgeon; 1999 Breandán Ó Doibhlin, Sagart agus Saoi; 2000 Sir James Doherty, Educationalist/ Politican; 2001 Professor Raymond Flannery, Physicist/Educator; 2002 Martin O’Neill, Sportsman; 2003 Phil Coulter, Songwriter/Musician; 2004 Dedicated to all Past Pupils; 2005 James Sharkey, Diplomat; 2006 Sir Liam McCollum, Lawyer; 2007 Professor Peter McCullagh, Mathematician; 2007 Professor John Toland, Mathematician; 2008 Patrick G. Johnston, Professor Medicine; 2009 Seamus Deane, Writer; 2010 Sir Declan Morgan, Lawyer; 2011 Paul Brady, Singer-Songwriter/Musician; 2012 Professor Declan McGonagle, Curator/Academic; 2013 Brian Dooher; 2014 Colm Long, Businessman; 2015 Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland; 2016 Maurice Harron, Artist/Educator; 2017 Professor Colin Harvey, Professor; 2018 Mark Durkan, Parliamentarian; 2019 Tony Connelly, RTE European Correspondent; 2020 & 2021 Covid – not presented; 2022 Professor John McCloskey, Scientist; 2023 Professor Rory O’Connor, Psychologist.
Here are some of the distinguished former pupils who have been award recipients over the past 30 years.
13. Sir Declan Morgan
2010 Sir Declan Morgan, Lawyer. Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Photo: PressEye
14. Paul Brady
2011 Paul Brady, Singer-Songwriter/Musician. ©William Cherry/Presseye Photo: ©William Cherry/Presseye
15. A sculpture of St Columba at the entrance to St Columb’s College Derry, created by Alumni Maurice Harron. DER2320GS - 001
A sculpture of St Columba at the entrance to St Columb’s College Derry, created by Alumni Maurice Harron. DER2320GS - 001 Photo: ©George Sweeney
16. Pictured previously were Dermot Carlin, left, then President of the St. Columb's College Union, pictured with Alumni Illustrissimi, from left, Mark Durkan, Professor Colin Harvey, Tony Connelly, Dr Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland, and Maurice Harron, during the annual dinner held by the Union in the City Hotel. DER4419-112KM
Pictured previously were Dermot Carlin, left, then President of the St. Columb's College Union, pictured with Alumni Illustrissimi, from left, Mark Durkan, Professor Colin Harvey, Tony Connelly, Dr Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland, and Maurice Harron, during the annual dinner held by the Union in the City Hotel. DER4419-112KM Photo: DJ
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