Dolores O'Riordan, the late lead singer of rock band The Cranberries, has been conferred with a posthumous honorary doctorate by the University of Limerick.
Eileen O'Riordan, Dolores' mother, is accepting the honour on her daughter's behalf today, almost exactly a year after the singer passed away.
The three other members of the band - Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler - have also each been presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters.
Noel Hogan receiving his honorary doctorate in UL today
UL President Dr Des Fitzgerald said: “UL had initially planned to present these doctorates to The Cranberries in April 2017, however promotional and rehearsal commitments prevented the band from being available to accept the honour at that stage.
"It is with very sad regret that since that time the world and more importantly her family and band mates have lost Dolores O’Riordan and her incredible voice. We very much appreciate her family’s presence here today and particularly her mother Eileen who is accepting this Honorary Doctorate on Dolores’ behalf."
The media are now speaking with bassist Mike Hogan, Eileen O’Riordan and Guitarist Noel Hogan in advance of their Honorary Doctorate conferring ceremony this evening. pic.twitter.com/UJq5ccfnue
— University Of Limerick (@UL) January 18, 2019
Eileen O'Riordan added: "I know Dolores would be so proud to receive such an honour from her home town, it would mean so much to her.
"No matter where she travelled or lived, her heart was always in Limerick and would take any opportunity to return and spend time here with her family, friends and band members".
The Cranberries earlier this week released the first song from their new and final album to mark the first anniversary of Dolores' death.
Dolores and her bandmate Noel had written and demoed songs for the album before the singer's death, with the final versions built around the Limerick singer's vocals from the demo sessions.
