Mullahoran woman making history at Trinity College

Professor Mary McCarron, native of Mullahoran, was recently honoured with the unveiling of new portrait to mark her two terms (2012-2019) as Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Trinity College; the first woman and first nurse to hold such a role at the University.

Prof McCarron has significantly advanced clinical knowledge, influenced health policy, and helped establish the field of ageing and intellectual disability in Ireland.

Driven to change societal standards for disadvantaged people, Prof McCarron has said at previous occasions she wants to “see a country that is the best place in the world to grow old for everyone in society and that includes people who are at risk of being marginalised, like people with an ID, often who have limited wealth and education.”

Internationally recognised as research leader in the fields of intellectual disability and ageing, dementia and end of life care, Prof

McCarron has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, secured more than €20M in research funding, and supervised a large cohort of doctoral and clinical researchers.

During the unveiling, Prof McCarron was also presented with the inaugural Dean’s Award for Distinguished Service to Health Sciences in recognition of her achievements during her professional career.

Speaking at the awards ceremony Prof Linda Hogan, Professor of Ecumenics, said:

“This award recognises Mary's exceptional and sustained contributions to Health Sciences, but I think it also marks her unparalleled academic and moral leadership in the field, the scientific policy and social impact for research, teaching and innovation, and also her exceptional service to the public good.”

Prof McCarron’s achievements centre around her concern for the health and well-being of people with an intellectual disability.

She pioneered research and education in this domain nationally and internationally, and her career has been committed to expanding capacity and leadership amongst academics, professionals and policymakers in understanding the needs but also the contributions of people with an intellectual disability.