Cork Mother and Daughter Celebrate Joint Graduation Achievement

A mother and daughter duo from Cork have celebrated a remarkable milestone by graduating together from the University of Limerick. Ruth Buckley and her daughter Orla Gaffney received their degrees during the Autumn Conferring Ceremonies, which saw over 3,600 students honored for their academic accomplishments this week.

Ruth Buckley was awarded a Doctorate of Engineering (Apprenticeship), while Orla Gaffney graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutrition. Their academic journey began in 2021 when Orla made a promise during a car ride: “I turned to Mum and said, ‘We are going to be graduating together in 2025!’ From that moment onwards, I’ve been counting down to this day.”

Shared Aspirations and Individual Challenges

Ruth, who serves as the Chief Information Officer at Cork City Council, pursued her doctorate as a long-held ambition. A graduate of Computer Science from University College Cork (UCC), she has held positions in banking in both Dublin and London before returning to Cork to lead the city’s IT department. Her academic credentials also include an MBA from Henley Business School and public leadership programs at Harvard University and in Shanghai. Her doctoral research focused on cybersecurity, a critical area in her professional role.

Reflecting on her journey, Ruth noted, “There were a few times a year when I seriously doubted my ability to finish. In my darkest moments, usually when I was very tired, I felt foolish ‘at this age’ for taking this on. But then I thought about the new experiences, the people I met, and how this research could help others. Perseverance has always served me well.”

While Ruth was dedicating herself to her doctorate, Orla balanced a rigorous academic schedule with her commitments as a high-performance rower. Inspired by her brother’s success, she joined Shandon Boat Club in 2012 and has represented Ireland on three occasions, securing four national titles. “Training 12 to 14 times a week alongside my studies wasn’t easy, but sport taught me resilience and discipline,” she commented.

One of Orla’s standout moments came when she won gold in the Women’s Senior Eight at the 2023 Homes International Regatta in London Docklands while representing Ireland. “Experiences like that motivated me to keep pushing, even when the academic workload felt overwhelming.”

Inspiration and Future Endeavors

Orla’s interest in food science was ignited by her childhood curiosity about nutrition and performance. She credits her mother’s efforts in STEM outreach, particularly through the initiative iWish, which encourages young women to explore careers in science and technology. “I remember attending one of Mum’s events in Transition Year and being so inspired by the speakers,” Orla remarked. “It was one of the first times I saw what a STEM career could offer.”

Moving forward, Orla is set to begin the Kerry Group Graduate Programme in Quality Assurance and will continue her studies at the University of Limerick with a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence, supported by a sports scholarship. Ruth, for her part, plans to leverage her doctoral insights to enhance cybersecurity and resilience within her sector.

The graduation ceremony was more than just a celebration of academic achievements for both women. Ruth expressed her pride, stating, “It’s very special—it means everything to me. I’m so proud of Orla and all that she has achieved, both in her studies and as an elite athlete. To graduate alongside her makes this moment even more meaningful.”

Orla echoed her mother’s sentiments, adding, “It’s hard to put into words just how special this is. Mum has always been one of my biggest inspirations. I grew up watching her balance so much—raising three children, working full time, and still pushing herself to complete a doctorate. Her dedication and work ethic have always motivated me. To now be standing beside her in our gowns, celebrating all that we’ve achieved, fills me with pride and gratitude.”