A portrait dedicated to the late Laura Brennan has been unveiled at the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland.

Ennis native Laura died from cervical cancer at the age of 26 and is remembered as one of the most high-profile health advocates in the country. Her efforts led a surge in the uptake of the HPV vaccine, a campaign that has been continued by her family since her death in March 2019.

Her painting is to be hung at the RCPI. It is the college’s way of recognising those who have had a lasting impact on Irish medicine and healthcare. The painting is the latest in a collection spanning 300 years and includes 95 portraits.

Laura is the only non-doctor to adorn the walls and she is just the third female to be honoured with a portrait alongside medic and activist Kathleen Lynn, and the current President of the RCPI, Prof Mary Horgan.

”I was very tearful when I saw it first,” Laura’s mother Bernie said. “We’re so so honoured the RCPI would do a portrait in Laura’s honour. And at the same time, we think she well deserved it”. The Brennan family travelled from Ennis to the RCPI for the unveiling.

Prof Hogan agreed that Laura was a worthy addition. ”Her contribution and legacy will be felt in decades to come. Laura was somebody who, despite her illness and disease, advocated for the HPV vaccine and nearly single-handedly turned the tide on the huge drop to bring it up to where it is now to 80%.”

According to Laura’s brother, Kevin it is “tremendous honour” to see a portrait of his late sister gracing the walls of the RCPI. He paid tribute to artist Catherine Creaney who he said “captured Laura at her best”.

Related News

liam o'connor 1
Kilmaley's Liam left for Australia in 2012 and now runs successful Perth-based machinery & contracting business
linanne's kilfenora 1
Campaign underway in Kilfenora to acquire Linnane's Pub as community hub
Please Credit Photograph by Eamon Ward
'The Council want to rip up roads' - Flynn says Ennis transport plan is anti-car
mill rd proposal 1
730 people sign petition opposing one-way system for Mill Rd

Advertisement

Latest News
Please Credit Photograph by Eamon Ward
'The Council want to rip up roads' - Flynn says Ennis transport plan is anti-car
mill rd proposal 1
730 people sign petition opposing one-way system for Mill Rd
mary howard mayor
Councillors stopped from having vote on Ennis transport plan with Mayor Howard coming under fire in first meeting
kerry v clare 04-05-25 manus doherty 1
Clare GAA make extra profit with sale of Roslevan house & officers commit to fight 'tooth & nail' against changes to Munster SFC
Summer Breeze
Christopher Quinn unveils second solo exhibition ‘Ethereal’ at Clare Museum
Premium
harvey's quay parnell street car park taxi rank 1
Reference to paused Ennis 2040 projects to be removed from transport plan
louth v clare 15-06-25 peter keane 3
Keane undecided on whether he has 'appetite' to continue as Clare football manager
teresa roseingrave 1
Clare LGFA in disarray as board meeting ends abruptly
clare v kilkenny 06-07-24 brian lohan 2
'We've had fantastic days under his leadership' - Lohan given additional three year term as Clare boss
bridgetown farm 1
'We've already missed a generation & if we miss another I don't know how food will be produced'

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement