Honorary degree for local nun

A trustee and director of The Flax Trust, she received the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (DUniv) for distinguished services to the community

A native of Portadown, Sister Mary is a member of the Presentation Sisters (teaching order).

She was educated at St Michael’s Grammar School, St Mary’s University College, St Patrick’s College Maynooth and Trinity College Dublin.

Sister Mary is one of the founding members of The Flax Trust, which was formed in Belfast in 1977 and expanded into an international institution in 1982 with the establishment of The Flax Trust/America.

Since its inception, The Flax Trust has had as its mission the reduction and, if possible, the elimination of community tensions and religious prejudices by creative engagement in economic and social development, education and training with inter-community activities.

In tandem with the delivery of a range of capital development projects such as the transformation of a derelict linen mill or the development of a medical centre, The Flax Trust has, for more than 35 yearsexpanded and energised the work of reconciliation through business incubation, social action, the arts, education, entertainment, sport and technology.