Ms Smith, who graduated with a BA in European studies in 1995, was among three alumni honoured at the 16th annual UL Alumni Awards gala dinner in the Limerick Strand Hotel on Friday night.

The awards recognise graduates who have made a significant impact in various fields, including in business, entrepreneurship, science and technology, academia, societal and humanitarian areas, sport, culture and the arts.

Just 50 graduates have previously been honoured since the ceremony first took place in 2006, with previous recipients including Tony Ward, Jean Butler, Professor Brigid Laffan and Dr Hugh O’Donnell.

Bobby O’Connor, chair of the UL Alumni Board, said: “Ever since UL Alumni was established by graduates in 1987, we have sought ways to provide a real link between the graduate community and our alma mater. In 2006, UL Alumni announced the first ever Alumni Awards and the University takes great pride in its graduate community and UL Alumni is delighted to provide this forum through which fifty alumni to-date have been honoured.

“Each year, through the nominations we receive, UL Alumni learns about the quality and diversity of achievement of our alumni. This awareness compels us to honour those among us who have made outstanding contributions across various fields in Ireland and abroad.

“This Alumni Awards celebration has become one of the most prestigious and significant events in the life of UL and among the alumni community, now over 120,000 strong and we warmly welcome the new inductees who we have honoured this evening.”