178ֱ��

178ֱ�� awards Honorary Doctorates to Michael O'Flynn and Lily Collison

28 Mar 2025

At this week's conferrings 178ֱ�� recognised founder, chairman and CEO of the O’Flynn Group Michael O'Flynn and renowned cerebral palsy (CP) advocate Lily Collison with honorary doctorates.

On Wednesday 178ֱ�� presented Mr O’Flynn with an Honorary Doctorate in Economic Science, following years of philanthropic contribution to Cork and beyond.

In a career spanning five decades, the Corkman has grown the property development company he founded with his brother John in 1978 from a small family-owned construction firm to an international organisation.

Mr O’Flynn said:

“An honorary doctorate is not a recognition I could ever have imagined receiving. Receiving it is a privilege that I share with all of the people who have contributed to my journey, those who supported me in business, the O’Flynn Group team and of course my family.

 “There is no doubt that the global political situation is presenting this generation with challenges that my generation did not face. However, every generation has its challenges. Today’s new graduates here in 178ֱ�� have been given the talent, the education and the opportunities that many will only ever dream of. Importantly they have the power to bring about real positive change.”

Today Lily Collison received an Honorary Doctorate in Medicine in recognition of her pioneering work.

Motivated by her son Tommy’s diagnosis of spastic diplegia, Lily has been dedicated to improving outcomes for those affected by CP. A member of the board of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and has played a pivotal role in securing funding for CP initiatives in Ireland.

Lily is the author of Spastic Diplegia–Bilateral Cerebral Palsy, a groundbreaking resource for families and healthcare professionals and co-author of Pure Grit: Stories of Remarkable People Living with Physical Disability. These books not only provide critical insights into disability, but all proceeds support research.   

The campaigner is one of the authors of the Gillette Children’s Healthcare Series, a series of books launched this week that are designed to aid the parents of children childhood-acquired physical and/or neurological conditions.

Each book provides a detailed medical explanation of the condition and the evidence-based, best-practice treatments and includes the lived experience of families. The goal of the series is to empower families and help optimise outcomes for those living with these conditions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lily asked the new medical and health graduates present not to forget children and those with disability, as they tend to be more underserved in medicine and health. 

“Success is not about personal achievement–it’s about impact. Use  your power of one to uplift others, challenge the status quo, and contribute to a better world,” she said.

Speaking on this week's Honorary Conferrings, 178ֱ�� President Prof. John O’Halloran said:

“Michael O’Flynn has left an indelible mark on our city and country. From modernising Cork’s skyline with iconic structures such as the Elysian to preserving our history through his fundraising for the restoration our own Honan Chapel, Michael’s work is all around us.

“The thousands employed through his projects are not alone in benefitting from Michael’s vision and drive, as his philanthropic efforts have assisted so many. The historic first staging of a soccer match in Pairc Ui Chaoimh in aid of the family of the late Liam Miller was but one standout example of Michael’s determination and benevolence,” he said.

“Lily’s work continues to influence the lives of individuals with disabilities worldwide, empowering families, shaping research, and improving the care available to people with CP.  Lily's advocacy has led to transformative partnerships, including a significant collaboration with us here in 178ֱ��, where we established the ELEVATE Programme to improve early detection and treatment of brain injury and CP. Her many years of tireless advocacy, makes her a very worthy recipient of an Honorary Degree,” he said.