Fr Donegan’s peacebuilding work came during turbulent and extraordinary times in North Belfast. The parish lost 99 people during The Troubles - the largest loss of life in any parish.

His years at Holy Cross Ardoyne included the blockade of Holy Cross Girls Primary School in 2001, a suicide epidemic which saw 13 teenagers die in Ardoyne inside six weeks in 2004, and a series of parades disputes which reached an agreement in 2016.

He is credited with having shown unwavering dedication to achieving peace and reconciliation for the north Belfast community, playing a key role in talks and negotiations and contributing to building a shared society. He worked across the religious divide to help people dealing with issues related to legacy, economic, social and generational challenges.

A respected orator on the subject of peace building and community cohesion, Fr Donegan has contributed to events at Queen’s University Belfast exploring peace and reconciliation.

Fr Donegan said: “This is a touching recognition by Queen’s University Belfast. My heart will always be in North Belfast and I consider it both a blessing and privilege to have been there for so many years. Peacebuilding is often hard but always worth it. I very much admire the thought leadership Queen’s University is giving on the subjects of peace, conflict resolution and transformation and I am honoured to have now become an honorary graduate.”

Born in Newtownbutler, Fr Donegan entered the Passionist Monastery in Grann, Enniskillen as a postulate at the age of 19 and was ordained 1991.