The Bláthnaid Hamilton Award is named after the first woman chairperson of the DCU Law Society, Bláthnaid Hamilton, a DCU BCL graduate who currently works for Irish Life as a commercial counsel.

The award was created as part of DCU’s first Women in Law week from 9-12 March and to honour the incredible work achieved by female staff and alumni of DCU.

DCU Law Society’s Women in Law subcommittee, led by the society’s chairperson Regina Chow, chose Dr Daly for her role in building the School of Law and Government in DCU, her contribution to the accreditation of the BCL programme in DCU, and her longevity as a professor in DCU.

Ms Chow said: “I am beyond grateful that we were able to give our first award to Dr Brenda Daly and I hope the award would continue as a tradition for the DCU Law Society in order to honour the incredible work the first Women in Law subcommittee has achieved.”

Sarah Mangan, Mairead Carthy, Kate Faherty, Allanah Carroll, Freya Steward, Roisin Power, Claire McKernan, Bronwyn O’Connell, Ruby Farrell and Ciara Whearty are also members of DCU Law Society’s Women in Law subcommittee.

Ms Whearty said: “Events like these highlight not only the success of individuals but create opportunities to encourage and support one another which this event in particular achieved. This award ceremony has reminded me of the importance of supporting one another and to pursue our ambitions.”