Former president Dr Patrick Hillery was honoured by University College Dublin last night when he was awarded the UCD Foundation Day Medal.
Dr Hillery was presented with the medal by the president of the university, Dr Hugh Brady, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the formation of modern Ireland and for his support of his alma mater.
Paying tribute to Dr Hillery, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin described him as one of the architects of modern Ireland.
"I believe that an examination of the record of Patrick Hillery justifies saying that he has had a major and uniformly positive impact on the social, economic and institutional history of Ireland," Mr Martin said.
"He deserves to be seen as one of the architects of modern Ireland, both a leader of change and a force for stability."
Separately, two young graduates received Foundation Day citations. They are Aoibhínn Ní Shúilleabháin, who completed a BSc degree in theoretical physics this year and is the current Rose of Tralee, and Brian Dooher, captain of the All-Ireland football champions, Tyrone.
Mr Dooher achieved a degree in veterinary medicine from the university in 1998.