ROCK star and humanitarian activist Bob Geldof has been honoured by Trinity College Dublin for his contribution to society.
The Irish singer-songwriter was one of four recognised at yesterday's honorary degree ceremony.
He was awarded Trinity's highest honour by the chancellor Mary Robinson.
Geldof, who played the Trinity Ball in 1976, received his honorary degree in the public theatre 30 years later.
In 1984, he and fellow singer Midge Ure founded the charity Band Aid to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia, followed by the charity concert Live Aid in 1985 and the Live 8 concerts in 2005.
Adding to the many accolades he has received for his anti-poverty efforts in relation to Africa, he was awarded a Doctor in Laws.
Professor Anna Chahoud honoured Geldof in her oration.
"Music can break the shame of silence, the shackles of hopelessness and the injustice of poverty," she said.
"So here you are, Robert Frederick `Bob' Geldof, KBE, man of peace and Irish rebel at heart, still on your long journey to justice. How many fellow travellers you've acquired along the way, how many battles you've won against all odds, how many lives you've saved."
