@universitycollegedublin: 📷📷 University College Dublin honours retail pioneer Breege O’Donoghue with an honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Irish business and her role in helping build Penneys and Primark into a global retail success. One of Ireland’s most influential retail executives, Ms O’Donoghue spent 37 years with Penneys and Primark, playing a central role in the business's growth and international expansion. As a key board member and Group Director for Business Development, she helped guide the company's development as it expanded beyond Ireland and the UK to become a global retail group. She stepped down from her executive role in 2016, having made a significant contribution to the development of one of Ireland's most successful international businesses. A UCD graduate, Ms O’Donoghue received her Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1972, having studied as a night student. Her decision to attend university later in life fulfilled a long-held ambition and marked an important milestone in a career that would see her become a leading figure in Irish and international retail. She has maintained a strong connection with UCD throughout her career. She was a long-standing member of the Irish Advisory Board of the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, where she contributed to the School's strategic and academic direction and helped strengthen the relationship between business and business education. She also served for a number of years as Chairperson of the UCD College of Business’ Business Journalist Awards, supporting the recognition and development of excellence in business journalism. Throughout her association with UCD, Ms O’Donoghue has generously given her time, expertise and counsel to the leadership and staff of the College of Business. UCD is recognising Ms O’Donoghue for her exceptional contribution to the Irish and international retail sector, her leadership in business, and her longstanding commitment to supporting business education at UCD. The honorary degree will be conferred by UCD President Professor Orla Feely during a special ceremony at UCD's O'Reilly Hall. #womeninbusiness #primark #ucd

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Wednesday 02 September 2026 07:35:00 GMT