TU Dublin Foundation Donor Report 2018

Investing 

in the 

future of 

TU Dublin 

TU Dublin Foundation 

Impact Report 2018

Féidearthachtaí as Cuimse 

Infinite Possibilities

Dear alumni & friends, 

I want to express my sincere appreciation for your support over the past year, 

and as we embark on an unprecedented era of change at our University. 

Established on 1 January 2019, Technological University Dublin is 

revolutionising the provision of Higher Education in Ireland, and I am proud 

to be the first President of the only Irish University offering pathways to 

graduation, from Apprenticeship to PhD. 

Your support has never been more important or valued as we embrace the 

infinite possibilities that lie ahead. Our students are at the heart of all we do, 

and we are immensely proud of our history of providing inclusive, practiceled 

academic programmes to students at all stages of learning across a wide 

range of disciplines. With your support, we encourage our students to reach 

for the stars and achieve their full potential as citizens of the world. 

Together we achieved a great deal over the past year. With your support, 

we have increased our capacity to produce pioneering research, awarded 

more scholarships than ever before and launched a number of community 

programmes. You have also provided cutting-edge equipment to help our 

students acquire the practical experience they need to succeed in the world 

of work upon graduation. 

I am profoundly grateful to you, our loyal donors for your generosity as we 

work together to deliver a state-of-the-art space for academic, cultural, 

social, recreational and sporting activities at Grangegorman. Construction 

is well underway, and we are excited at the prospect of welcoming 10,000 

students in September 2020. 

This development represents the most substantial investment in higher 

education in the history of the State. TU Dublin is proud to be a central part 

of such a nationally significant regeneration project, and we are honoured to 

have you with us on this exciting journey. 

I want to thank you most sincerely for your trust and support at this historic 

and transformative time. 

Best regards 

Prof David FitzPatrick 

President, Technological University Dublin

1st 

Technological University 

in Ireland 

STEM & ICT 

19% 

Largest provider of STEM & 

ICT education 

28,500 

students 

Largest University 

in Ireland 

(20:1) 

Best lecturer to student 

ratio of any University 

in Ireland 

1 in 3 

craft apprentices in Ireland 

train with TU Dublin 

15% 

Biggest provider for 

students with disabilities 

60% 

growth in PhD student 

numbers over the 

past five years 

23% 

Largest part-time 

undergraduate student 

numbers

Infinite 

Possibilities 

at TU Dublin 

TU Dublin, Ireland’s first Technological University, was formally established on 

1 January 2019. Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is where careerfocused 

students, dedicated staff and academic excellence in science, the 

arts, business, engineering and technology converge to create the leaders of 

tomorrow. We offer an inclusive and open learning experience with pathways to 

graduation, from Apprenticeship to PhD. Our 28,500 students learn in a practicebased 

environment informed by the latest research and enabled by technological 

advances. 

TU Dublin hosts a thriving research community engaged in applying innovation 

and technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. We are deeply 

committed to collaborating with our national and international academic 

partners and our many networks in industry and civic society to create new 

learning experiences and develop impactful research. 

TU Dublin is an exciting new milestone in Irish Higher Education. With campuses 

in Dublin City, Tallaght and Blanchardstown, it spans the largest population 

centres of Ireland’s capital city. Building on the rich heritage of its founding 

organisations - DIT, IT Blanchardstown and IT Tallaght – TU Dublin will be inclusive 

and adaptable, creating educational opportunities for students at all stages. 

TU Dublin students will be socially responsible, open-minded global thinkers 

who are ambitious to change the world for the better. As graduates, they will 

be enterprising and daring in all their endeavours, ready to play their part in 

transforming the future.

Grangegorman 

Campus 

Development 

TU Dublin, in conjunction with the Grangegorman Development Agency, Health 

Service Executive and Dublin City Council, is developing a new city centre campus 

at Grangegorman in Dublin’s north west inner city. The campus will bring together 

the University’s core and supporting activities in the city centre in a single vibrant 

environment, integrating with the strategic development of Dublin City and providing a 

range of facilities for students and staff, for industry and the wider community. Ultimately, 

TU Dublin will have three campuses, Blanchardstown, Grangegorman and Tallaght. 

In April 2018, construction began on the Central and East Quad at Grangegorman. 

This continues at a pace with buildings due for occupation by 10,000 students and 

600 staff in September 2020. 

Central Quad 

With a vast floor area of 35,000m 2 , the 

Central Quad is the most significant building 

at Grangegorman and will become the new 

home to the College of Sciences and Health, as 

well as the Schools of Culinary Arts and Food 

Technology, Hospitality Management and Tourism 

and Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 

representing the following disciplines: 

• Biological Sciences 

• Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences 

• Computing 

• Food Science and Environmental Health 

• Physics and Clinical & Optometric Sciences, 

including the National Optometry Centre 

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering 

• Culinary Arts and Food Technology 

• Hospitality Management and Tourism 

at the forefront of scientific discovery. 

The building has been designed as a 

quadrangle with a central courtyard. The 

entrance to the building at the central atrium 

brings you to a double height space with a light 

slot that reaches the roof level. This bright and 

colourful space houses a café and a variety 

of breakout spaces. Emphasis on facilitating 

informal learning will carry through all floors 

with substantial breakout areas on every level 

where students can gather in small groups. 

Large lecture spaces, including a 250-seater 

main theatre, are clustered on the ground floor 

facilitating conferences and public events. 

Training restaurants and hospitality facilities 

are also located on the ground floor, directly 

fronting onto St Brendan’s Way so that students 

and visitors can enjoy a range of dining options. 

Highly specialised laboratories and learning 

centres will provide a world-class education 

environment, attracting the best and brightest 

students to TU Dublin and position researchers

East Quad: 

The East Quad will be a Cultural Hub not only for the 

Grangegorman campus but also for the city. The East 

Quad will be accessed directly via the Broadstone Gate 

and the Broadstone Luas stop. It will be home to four 

Schools: 

• Dublin School of Creative Arts 

• School of Media 

• Conservatory of Music and Drama 

• School of Languages, Law and Social Sciences 

The fluid nature of the design and the vibrancy of 

the learning environment will facilitate exhibitions of 

students’ visual artwork as well as dramatic and musical 

performances in the 400-seat Concert Hall, 80-seat 

Black Box Theatre and 80-seat Recital Hall, all of which 

will be entirely accessible for general audiences. The 

design of the external spaces and landscaping outside 

the building will also be conducive to a variety of uses 

such as performance, media projection and sculpture 

exhibitions. 

What Happens 

Next at 

Grangegorman? 

In association with the GDA, Department of 

Education and Skills and Department of Finance 

and Public Expenditure & Reform, TU Dublin 

is working to deliver the next phase of the 

Grangegorman campus, the West Quad, which 

will include the relocation of 5,000 College of 

Business students to Grangegorman by 2021. 

This phase of development will also deliver the 

academic hub and library, the campus energy 

centre, accommodation and additional catering 

and student centred services.

Intel supports 

technology, creativity 

and talent at TU Dublin 

In February 2019, TU Dublin announced a new multi-year partnership with Intel 

Ireland as part of a far-reaching programme of collaboration in future talent 

development, research and engagement. 

The announcement was made at a ‘Celebration of Creativity, Technology and 

Talent’ attended by Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, 

Paschal Donohoe T.D. and Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell 

O’Connor T.D. The event included the inaugural lecture in the ‘Intel Thought 

Leadership Series’ which was delivered by Eamonn Sinnott, General Manager, 

Intel Ireland, and Vice President, Technology & Manufacturing Group and 

graduate of TU Dublin, Kevin Street. 

Building on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2017; the 

multi-year partnership focuses on many elements including the opening of the 

Intel Auditorium – a 250-seater lecture theatre located in the Central Quad in 

the TU Dublin flagship campus at Grangegorman – in September 2020. The 

partnership will also fund talent development activities such as the Intel Awards 

Programme providing scholarships to TU Dublin students in the disciplines of 

Mechanical, Design, Electrical and Electronic Engineering. In addition, the Intel 

‘Women in Technology’ Scholarship is awarded to a female TU Dublin student 

ambassador who will work to encourage younger women to pursue a career in 

science and technology.

“We are excited 

to embark 

upon this 

new strategic 

relationship and 

are proud to 

be among the 

first industry 

partners.” 

Speaking at a ‘Celebration of Creativity, Technology and Talent’, Eamonn 

Sinnott said, “We are excited to embark upon this new strategic 

relationship and are proud to be among the first industry partners of 

the newly established TU Dublin. This year Intel celebrates 30 years of 

operations in Ireland and central to our continued success has been a 

vibrant education system that has produced world-class graduates. 

The nature of the advanced manufacturing that we do here in Ireland 

means that we rely upon a diverse range of skillsets that encompass the 

whole breadth of third level programmes from Level 6 onwards. Through 

this partnership with TU Dublin, we can explore ways to work across 

that spectrum of learning, all under one academic roof. In particular, 

the focus of technological universities on science and technology 

programmes that deliver practical, industry-orientated experiences is 

vitally important”. 

“We are 

delighted 

to see our 

relationship 

with Intel 

strengthen.” 

TU Dublin President, Professor David FitzPatrick welcomed the 

announcement and said, “We are delighted to see our relationship 

with Intel strengthen and look forward to working on many exciting 

collaborations and, in particular, exploring new avenues of education for 

careers in the high-tech manufacturing sector.” 

At the event in February, Margaret Loughman, Engineering Manager at 

Intel, announced the winners of the inaugural Intel Scholarship Awards 

Programme. 

Once the formal proceedings concluded, guests were invited to tour 

the student-led exhibitions in North House with a particular emphasis on 

how technology enhances creativity. Exhibits included a demonstration 

of facial recognition software from Intel Movidius, a Visual Merchandising 

window display of the student’s most admired feminist icons, technologyenhanced 

musical performances from TU Dublin Conservatoire and 

projects from the University’s Internet of Things, Virtual Reality, Product 

Design and Clean Room technology laboratories.

Design & Construct 

at Broombridge 

Driving Performance 

through Talent and 

Technology 

Responding to the needs of the architecture, engineering 

and construction sector, TU Dublin is developing Design 

& Construct, a centre for collaborative, multidisciplinary 

education that will drive performance in the Irish 

construction sector through talent and technology. 

Building on a century of delivering applied and 

practical education for the construction sector 

Design & Construct will leverage TU Dublin’s expertise 

to address the key challenges of 21st century 

construction including the building performance, 

energy efficient design and the digitisation of the 

construction process. The complexity of modern 

construction processes, procurement, technical 

design, regulation and standards, requires ongoing 

and continuous engagement with education and upskilling. 

Changes to the structures of site teams and 

methods of construction have created a requirement 

for cross-training and cross-disciplinary engagement 

and competency. 

The Centre will deliver collaborative multidisciplinary 

learning for students across all levels 

and disciplines from apprenticeship to doctoral 

research as well as providing education and 

research facilities critical to the next generation of 

construction graduates, in technologies such as 

off-site and modular construction, near zero energy 

building, robotic construction and the digitisation of 

the construction process. 

With a focus on applied learning, research and 

enterprise, this space would bring together students 

(from level 6 to level 10) and staff from the built 

environment, engineering and design disciplines, 

including architecture, architectural technology, 

building trades, building engineering, structural 

engineering, product, interior and furniture design. 

The proposed refurbishment of an existing industrial 

building, with large spans and ceiling heights, will 

provide the opportunity to create a variety of 

teaching and applied learning spaces which will 

support building as a ‘living’ construction laboratory, 

with students, from apprenticeship to PhD, engaged 

in all aspects of the construction process. 

Design & Construct is a new way of teaching for 

the AEC sector and therefore requires a new type 

of space. A flexible, adaptable facility that can be 

changed and altered to meet the sector’s needs. 

The types of activites planned require for large 

unencumbered floor space, triple height, clear span, 

with wide openings for easy RIRO (roll in, roll out) of 

equipment and to allow for the construction indoors 

of large learning environments. The building will be 

‘living’ construction laboratory, an exemplar for the 

sector encompassing best practice in sustainable 

design and construction.

THE SITE 


Broombridge 

TU Dublin purchased a 3.25-hectare site at 

Broombridge in 2011 to complement the TU 

Dublin campus in Grangegorman. The site is 

located immediately adjacent to the new Luas 

cross-city terminus at Broombridge, 

just three Luas stops from the 

Grangegorman campus. TU Broombridge 

currently accommodates a full size allweather, 

floodlit sports pitch. The site at 

Broombridge also includes a large scale, 

vacant warehouse to be repurposed to 

Design & Construct. On completion Design 

& Construct will offer 6,200m 2 of high 

-tech, flexible and adaptable space. 

Trade/Craft 

Apprentices 

Planners 

Architects 

Building 

Engineers 

Technology 

Quantity 

Surveyors 

Construction 

Managers 

Engineers 

Realising the Vision for 

Design & Construct 

Over the next 3 years, TU Dublin Foundation will work with 

leaders in the construction, engineering and built environment 

sectors to raise €6 million to support the delivery of this 

significant initiative for the Irish construction sector.

TU Dublin is Ireland’s leading centre of education and innovation for the 

Food and Drink sector. Our strength in culinary arts is complemented by a 

comprehensive ecosystem for education, research and product development 

encompassing food science, dietetics and nutraceuticals. 

At this pivotal moment for the future of the sector, with new products and innovations 

changing how we eat, TU Dublin is ideally placed to lead the way once again. The new 

campus will be a catalyst for our ambitions; positioning TU Dublin and Ireland at the cuttingedge 

of world food and drink. 

With new markets opening throughout the world, Ireland is increasingly seen as a source 

for sustainable and traceable food. Realising these opportunities and unlocking Ireland’s full 

potential requires an investment in talent and expertise.

Shaping the 

Sector’s Future 

As TU Dublin prepares for an exciting future on the new Grangegorman campus, 

two of Ireland’s leading food businesses, Country Crest and Ballymaguire Foods, 

have announced a new partnership with the University. 

Building on the legacy of Cathal Brugha Street, a range of culinary programmes 

at TU Dublin will have a new home in the Central Quad at the very heart of the 

Grangegorman campus from September 2020. With the support of Country Crest 

and Ballymaguire Foods, state-of-the-art training restaurants will be incorporated 

into the development, creating a world-class learning environment for students 

and contributing to the transformation of the campus. 

“The new 


development at 

Grangegorman 

will deliver a 

world centre 

of excellence 

for Food and 

Drink capable 

of producing 

generations 

of culinary 

pioneers to 

come.” 

Michael Hoey, 

Managing Director, Country Crest 

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Hoey, Managing Director of Country 

Crest said, “Country Crest is exceptionally proud of its close relationship with 

TU Dublin, and we are excited to partner with the University at a time when 

the food sector is changing. The Irish food sector must now look to new and 

emerging markets in preparation for a possible reduction in trade with our closest 

neighbours. To respond to these market changes, we need more graduates 

equipped with the knowledge and business acumen required to develop 

innovative food products that the global consumer demands. The new TU Dublin 

development at Grangegorman will deliver a world centre of excellence for Food 

and Drink capable of producing generations of culinary pioneers to come.” 

Ed Spelman, Managing Director at Ballymaguire Foods, expressed his delight at his 

firm’s partnership with TU Dublin. “Ireland is famous across the globe for its highquality 

food products, a reputation that is underpinned by the high calibre of TU 

Dublin culinary graduates. There is no doubt that our industry is facing significant 

challenges, but with adversity comes opportunity! It is therefore timely that we 

announce this strategic partnership with TU Dublin, as it prepares to develop a 

high-tech educational environment which will foster the creativity of students and 

prepare them for careers in an industry driven by innovation.” 

Welcoming the announcement, TU Dublin President, Professor David FitzPatrick 

said, “This is great news for our current and future students in the area of Food 

and Drink. The partnership with Country Crest and Ballymaguire Foods will 

provide our students with access to world-class facilities on our new campus 

when the Central Quad opens in September 2020. At that point, students of 

Culinary Arts and Food Technology will be co-located with students of Sciences 

and Health, Arts and Tourism and Electrical 

and Electronic Engineering, creating an 

exciting campus community of over 

10,000 students and 600 staff, 

and facilitating opportunities 

for greater collaboration and 

synergies between disciplines. 

We are delighted that Country 

Crest and Ballymaguire Foods 

will play a part in that future.”

Scholarships at 


Scholarships at TU Dublin reward students for their hard work, 

dedication and passion. They allow our students to focus on 

achieving excellence in their field while also giving them an 

opportunity to build valuable relationships with donors and 

enhance their career prospects. 


Foundation 

administered 

66 

scholarships 

in 2018 with a 

total value of 

€176,000. 

Green REIT 

TU Dublin Foundation and 

Green REIT were delighted to 

introduce the inaugural Green 

REIT Scholarships for Property 

Economics, Quantity Surveying 

and Construction Economics. 

The aim of the Green REIT 

Scholarship is to provide 

financial assistance to 

passionate and motivated 

students who will make their 

mark on the construction 

sector. 

Intel 

TU Dublin and TU Dublin 

Foundation announced the 

new Intel Scholarships in 

Electrical and Electronic 

Engineering, Mechanical and 

Design Engineering and Women 

in STEM. The scholarships are 

part of a five-year strategic 

partnership with Intel Ireland 

which supports a far-reaching 

programme of collaboration 

in future talent development, 

research and engagement. 

Intel Ireland is supporting 

these scholarships as part of 

its ongoing commitment to 

education. 

Marriott 

A second group of students 

were awarded the J Willard & 

Alice S. Marriott Foundation 

Scholarships in 2018. These 

Scholarships provide the 

opportunity for five students 

to study at The School of 

Hospitality and Tourism 

Management at Purdue 

University, USA for one 

semester. 

Marriott Scholars at 

Purdue University, Indiana 

L-R: Gianangelo Radaelli, Shane Friel, 

Thomas Dunne, Head of School of 

Surveying and Construction Management, 

Conor Dolan and Ryan Sands 

Professor David FitzPatrick, President TU 

Dublin, Margaret Loughman, Intel, Mary 

Mitchell O’Connor, TD and Anne-Marie 

Corry, TU Dublin Foundation with the 

2018 Intel Scholars

Mont Kavanagh 

Eight talented Architecture, 

Architectural Technology 

and Fine Art students 

were recognised for their 

outstanding work by the Mont 

Kavanagh Trust Scholarships 

and Awards. Trustee Architect 

Brian Hogan presented the 

awards at a celebration held in 

Linen Hall in 2018. 

Morrison 

At the End of Year show in 

June 2018, the Dublin School 

of Architecture announced the 

winners of the 2018 Sir Richard 

Morrison Scholarships for 

Architecture and Architectural 

Technology. These scholarships 

are awarded to students of 

proven engagement and 

academic excellence within 

their current academic year. 

Musgrave 

MarketPlace 

Scholarships for the 

School of Culinary 

Arts and Food 

Technology 

Musgrave MarketPlace are 

a longstanding and highly 

valued partner of TU Dublin. 

The Scholarships in Culinary 

Arts and Food Technology are 

part of Musgrave MarketPlace’s 

ongoing commitment to 

supporting the development 

of the Irish food sector and 

investing in up-and-coming 

chefs and future leaders of the 

food industry. 

L-R: Emily Brennan, Lijuan McQuillan, 

Simon Roumier, Brian Hogan, Conor 

O’Kelly, Ryan Dempsey and Cillian 

McGrath 

The Mont Kavanagh Awards 

were established in 2016 

following a generous donation 

from the Mont Kavanagh Trust. 

The annual scholarships support 

and recognise talented and 

committed students, while the 

awards identify the ‘ones to 

watch’, supporting both existing 

students on their educational 

journey and new graduates as 

they launch their careers. 

“ 

My time at Purdue has been 

a great opportunity to learn 

essential soft skills that employers 

value most, from communication 

fundamentals and teamwork to 

advancing critical thinking. These 

skills will help me build relationships 

and improve productivity with 

internal and external clients in the 

business world in the future” 

2018 Sir Richard Morrison Scholars 

with Gerry Farrell, Director and 

Dean - College of Engineering & Built 

Environment 

“ 

Since 

receiving the 

Scholarship 

I have been 

able to fund 

a number of 

visits to different food experiences 

nationally and internationally. I also 

arranged a visit to the Netherlands 

where I explored and researched 

their food retail businesses, including 

Albert Heign, Stach and the 

renowned Food Hallen, Amsterdam 

where I spoke to food makers and 

retailers on site. This trip helped me 

to study new consumer food trends 

and product innovations.” 

2018 Musgrave MarketPlace Scholars 

with Sheena Forde, Commercial 

Director ROI & NI Musgrave, Mike 

O’Connor, Assistant Head of School 

and Elaine Heffernan, HR Officer 

Musgrave MarketPlace 

- Fiona Gaffney, 

Musgrave MarketPlace Scholar 

- Mark Canizares, Marriott Scholar

Panelto 

Three exceptional students 

from Baking and Pastry 

Arts Management and from 

Mechanical and Design 

Engineering were awarded the 

2018 Panelto Scholarship. 

These Scholars will each have 

an opportunity to complete 

an internship and a summer 

placement with Panelto at their 

plant in Longford. 

2018 Panelto Scholars with Brian Guerin, 

General Manager Panelto and Martina 

Fitzpatrick, HR Manager Panelto 

“ 

My time with 

Panelto has given 

me a great insight 

into what it’s like 

to work in a large 

factory. It has 

highlighted to me 

the importance 

of teamwork, 

punctuality and 

how important 

good working 

relationships are.’ 

Shane Monaghan, 

Panelto Scholar 

Wallace 

Liam Gregory and Ger Reilly, Head 

of School of Mechanical and Design 

Engineering 

Liam Gregory, a third year 

Mechanical Engineering 

student in Bolton St, is an 

outstanding student who 

has been fascinated with 

mechanics ever since he was a 

child, his father was a building 

contractor so he was immersed 

in construction and mechanics 

from an early age. Liam 

believes “we don’t grow when 

things are easy, we grow when 

we face challenges”, receiving 

this scholarship will enable 

Liam to maximise his college 

experience through learning, 

volunteer opportunities and 

internships. 

“we don’t grow 

when things are 

easy, we grow 

when we face 

challenges” 

Liam Gregory, 

Wallace Scholar 

Sirus 

3rd year Building Engineering 

students, Rosa Kirwan and 

Eoin McNulty-Goodwin, 

were awarded the 2018 

Sirus Scholarship. This Sirus 

Scholarship aims to encourage 

more students to consider the 

field of Building Engineering 

and to help meet the industry’s 

urgent recruitment needs. 

Scholarship winners Rosa Kirwan and 

Eoin McNulty-Goodwin 

“Winning the 

Sirus Scholarship 

gave me confidence 

in my college 

career, it proved 

what I was capable 

of if I worked hard 

and put myself out 

there.” 

Rosa Kirwan, 

Sirus Scholar

Gianangelo Radaelli – 

Green REIT Scholar 

Gianangelo Radaelli, a 3rd year 

Property Economics student has been 

self-funding college by working part 

time over the past number of years. 

From a young age he was fascinated 

by the built environment. This interest 

developed as he grew older and 

began to learn more about property. 

Having missed out on Property 

Economics after his Leaving Cert, 

Gianangelo completed a Post Leaving 

Certificate course in Business Studies 

for 2 years, achieving the results 

necessary to receive a place in 

Property Economics. From this point 

he has continued to enjoy the course 

immensely, attending events and 

competitions such as the International 

Real Estate Challenge in Hamburg while 

maintaining a high average grade. 

‘Receiving the Green REIT Scholarship 

was incredible. It allowed me to focus 

in on my grades and develop the skills 

I would need to advance my career. 

It opened up incredible opportunities 

for me, such as helping me to secure 

the internship I wanted, establishing 

my thesis topic and maintain above 

average grades each semester. 

Receiving such an opportunity from 

such a renowned company that I’ve 

had an interest in from the beginning 

has been amazing.’ 

Gianangelo aspires to work in the 

property industry and wants to make 

an impact within the sector in Ireland. 

‘I like to think that I will eventually 

become a Managing Director or CEO 

of a property company with continued 

hard work and dedication. Ultimately, I 

would like to end up working for myself 

investing and developing properties’. 

Rachel Jones 

– Musgrave MarketPlace 

Scholar 

Rachel Jones, a 2nd year Culinary 

Arts student has been awarded the 

Musgrave MarketPlace scholarship for 

two years in a row. 

‘Being awarded the scholarship has 

meant a lot to me over the past two 

years. I have used the funding from 

the scholarship to pay for my college 

fees which has alleviated financial 

pressure and allowed me to enjoy my 

time and focus on my studies. It is one 

of my biggest achievements, being 

able to finance my own tuition with 

these scholarships and it makes me 

very proud. 

Studying Culinary Arts has opened 

my eyes to so many new career 

opportunities. I currently work in 

the bakery department of my local 

Supervalu, making cakes for special 

occasions is my favourite part of 

the job. I am looking forward to 

completing my placements both this 

year and in 3rd year, it is extremely 

important to me to gain as much 

experience as possible during my time 

in University. I look forward to a future 

of working with passionate people 

and being a part of the very exciting 

Irish food scene.’ 

Rachel was also recently awarded 

Second Place at the 2nd International 

Trophy competition in Italy entitled “A 

Life in the Kitchen” 

Edwin Kirwan 

– Panelto Scholar 

Edwin is a 3rd year mature student 

studying for a Bachelor of Mechanical 

Engineering after previously 

completing a level 7 degree in 

Engineering Technology. 

After finishing school, Edwin completed 

an apprenticeship in tool-making in 

2007 and worked for many years 

in the oil and gas product supply 

industry. He always had an interest in 

engineering and due to the sector he 

worked in, he became more interested 

in mechanical engineering. After 

some years contemplating a return to 

education, in 2015 he finally decided to 

apply to study as a mature student. At 

the time, Edwin found it difficult to give 

up his full time job but in retrospect 

he is very happy with his decision. 

After completing the level 7 degree he 

was given the opportunity to either 

progress to the level 8 degree or 

return to industry. After giving thought 

to both options he decided to remain 

within the education system. 

‘I was delighted to have received the 

Panelto scholarship in 2018, due to 

the financial support and also the 

opportunity of the work placement 

that it provides. I would hope to use 

the work placement as a means of 

reintroducing myself into the workplace. 

I have used the scholarship funding to 

support my college tuition fees and also 

towards my rent in Dublin.’

TU Dublin Foundation would like to thank all of the donors 

who supported scholarships and grants in 2018: 

AFP Young Person Grant 

Enterprise Rent A Car 

Green REIT 

Intel Ireland 

The Ireland Funds 

J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation 

Mont Kavanagh Trust 

Sir Richard Morrison 

Musgrave MarketPlace 

Ocean Edge 

Panelto 

Paul Wallace Family Trust 

Sirus 

Travel Scholarship in Renewable Energy

Access to 

Apprenticeship 

Building on the success of the initial pilot phase TU Dublin was successful in 

receiving a second grant from the JP Morgan Chase Foundation to continue 

to develop Access to Apprenticeship. In 2017/2018 48 students took part in a 

12-week programme at TU Dublin Bolton Street to support their progression 

into a trade apprenticeship. 25 of these 48 students are now in plumbing, 

electrical and other apprenticeship positions with a range of employers in 

Dublin. 

Access to Apprenticeship’s overarching mission is to support young people 

from areas of socio-economic disadvantage and minority groups to secure 

an apprenticeship and the opportunity of a meaningful and diverse career. 

Addressing challenges such as low levels of social capital, work place 

confidence and making informed choices, the programme gives students 

a taste of the 14 apprenticeships on offer at TU Dublin as well as employer 

engagement opportunities and a two-week work placement. 

The programme team work across Dublin with 

schools, youth groups, support workers and training 

centres to identify young people who are not in 

education, employment or training and who are 

interested in securing an apprenticeship. Employers 

are key to the success of the programme by offering 

an initial work placement and ultimately by employing 

the young person as a fulltime apprentice. 

Over the next 2 years the programme will recruit a 

further 96 young people to the programme at TU 

Dublin and work with our key partners to develop a 

sustainable model for Access to Apprenticeship. 

Thank you to the following employers who are 

working hand in hand with us to support the young 

people on our programme: Jones Engineering, 

Designer Group, Dublin Bus, Dublin City Council, 

ESB, CJK Engineering, John Paul Construction, SISK, 

Winthrop. Thank you also to our external advisory 

board members who are providing invaluable 

support and guidance to the programme.

Creating 

Opportunities 

Inaugural 1916 

Bursary Fund 

25 students from TU Dublin gathered in 

Grangegorman to celebrate receiving the 1916 

Bursary Fund with their family, colleagues and 

lecturers. 

The 1916 Bursary Fund forms part of the PATH 

funding initiative from the Higher Education 

Authority, aimed at supporting access to higher 

education by students from the most underrepresented 

groups in higher education. The 

bursary fund provides financial support of €5,000 

per year to each awardee, in addition to a suite of 

post-entry academic and personal supports. 

The 1916 Bursary is targeted to support students 

from the most marginalised groups who are 

significantly under-represented in Higher Education 

including: students with a disability; Irish travellers; 

lone parents; ethnic minorities and children who 

are/were in the care of the State. 

Opening 

Education 

to All 

The TU Dublin Access Foundation Programme 

is a one year preparation course for any 

student returning to education. The programme 

supports students who have experienced 

educational disadvantage in the past and 

who do not currently meet minimum entry 

requirements for third level programmes. It 

is a multi-disciplinary programme preparing 

students for entry into undergraduate 

programmes in Science & Health, Engineering 

& Built Environment, Business and Arts & 

Tourism. Students who successfully complete 

the programme will be offered a place on an 

appropriate undergraduate course at TU Dublin. 

The programme forms part of TU Dublin’s 

commitment to extending access to education 

to people and groups from areas and 

communities where there has not been a 

strong tradition of participation in third level 

education. The course is of particular benefit 

to adults who have been out of education for 

a long time, or who did not complete a Leaving 

Certificate in the past. In addition we welcome 

applications from people whose skills no longer 

allow them to access the labour market. 

Pictured at the inaugural 1916 Bursary Fund Award Ceremony were Joanne McGuinness 

(Blanchardstown), Niamh Plunkett (Tallaght) and Matt Hellis (City Campus)

Enterprise 

Rent-A-Car 

Bursary 

For the past four years, Enterprise Rent-A-Car 

has provided a €2,500 bursary in support of TU 

Dublin’s Access Foundation Programme. This is a 

one-year, full-time preparation course designed 

to prepare individuals for higher education study 

at TU Dublin. This year’s winners are both lone 

parents of four children. 

Louise has completed a number of courses 

since 2010 including Bridge to Education, Human 

Growth and Development and Family Support 

Skills. She plans to enter into Social Studies in 

Trinity College when she graduates from the 

Access Foundation Programme. 

Nkasiobi plans to go on to study Public Health 

Nutrition and looks forward to the opportunities 

a Degree will bring her in the future. 

L-R: Leslee O’Loughlin, Louise Finnegan, Nkasiobi Uche, 

Jill O’Lone and David Rickard 

HR Manager Leslee O’Loughlin said: “At 

Enterprise, we live and breathe diversity and, by 

providing this bursary, we hope to make a real 

and tangible change to the lives of individuals 

who have traditionally experienced barriers to 

entry surrounding third-level education. The 

successful candidates are incredibly deserving, 

and I wish them every success in their future at 

TU Dublin.” 

AFP Young 

person 

Grant 

TU Dublin Foundation received a donation of 

€10,000 from a generous donor for young 

people on the Access Foundation Programme. 

The majority of young people (under 23 years of 

age) on the Access Foundation programme do 

not currently qualify for the Back to Education 

grant which means they can struggle to engage 

with the programme. The aim of this grant was 

to address this issue and support young people 

financially so that they can focus on successfully 

completing the programme. This grant supported 

20 students on the Access Foundation 

Programme in 2018 including young people in 

the direct provision or part-time employment. 

“the impact of a grant on 

our students is significant. 

Most of our students come 

back to education at a time 

in their lives when they 

have responsibilities to 

meet and bills to pay; they 

often struggle with the 

extra expenses involved in 

being in fulltime education. 

Our students have made 

a decision to return to 

education and they are 

deeply committed so it is 

wonderful to see generous 

donors supporting their brave 

journey.” 

David Rickard, Programme Chair, 

Access Foundation Programme

Jim Gahan and Bobby Kerr 

at the graduation in November 

Graduate 

Network 

International 

In 2018 TU Dublin built on its international 

engagement with alumni by continuing to expand 

its presence overseas. 

The Graduate Network organised three events 

in the States - New York, and for the first time, 

Boston and San Francisco with 170 alumni 

attending the three events. TU Dublin alumnus 

Ray O’Connor, CEO Topcon Positioning Systems 

Inc. kindly sponsored the event in San Francisco. 

Professor Brian Norton, Principal TU Dublin City 

Campus, was joined by the Irish Consul General in 

each city in welcoming alumni. There was a great 

mix from all TU Dublin City Campus colleges, 

including some alumni who emigrated to the US 

many decades ago. 

The annual TU Dublin London Alumni event took 

place at the London Irish Centre in Camden 

Town. This year we were joined by Dr. Avril Behan, 

Assistant Head of School of Multidisciplinary 

Technologies, Dr. Ciara Ahern, Head of Building 

Engineering and Emeritus Professor Kevin 

Kelly. Angela Brady, TU Dublin alumna and 

Past President of the Royal Institute of British 

Architects spoke to alumni about networking and 

taking advantage of their TU Dublin community 

in London. 

Graduations 

17 graduation ceremonies took place throughout 

the year at the magnificent setting of St. Patrick’s 

Cathedral. Almost 5,000 graduands were 

conferred in 2018. Each year TU Dublin also confers 

the Award of Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy 

on a small number of exceptional individuals in 

recognition of their service to society through their 

contribution to business and the professions, arts 

and sport, or outstanding public and community 

service. In 2018 Honorary Doctorates were 

conferred to visionary planner Jim Gahan and 

hospitality entrepreneur turned broadcaster Bobby 

Kerr at the graduation in November. 

School Events 

Alumni and guests from the TU Dublin City 

Campus College of Business community gathered 

at Grangegorman to hear first-hand as Bobby Kerr 

recounted his journey from his days at Cathal 

Brugha Street as a catering management student, 

to his time leading the hugely successful Insomnia 

Coffee Company, a Dragons’ Den TV star and 

a lively radio presenter on Newstalk and board 

member of the TU Dublin Foundation. Guests who 

arrived before the main event enjoyed a tour of 

the new campus at Grangegorman, including an 

overview of the development, facilities and history 

of the unique site. 

Bobby Kerr 

Alumni in London 

Alumni in Boston 

Alumni in San Francisco

Attendees at 

Diversity Event 

Hotel & Catering 

Management Class of ’92 

Property Economics 

Class of 1988 

Applied Science 

Class of 1988 

Electrical Engineering 

Class of 1977 

TU Dublin Bolton Street hosted a panel 

discussion for alumni and guests from industry - 

“Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace for 

Engineering and Construction – lessons learned 

from other industries”. Chaired by alumna Dr. 

Sarah Ingle, Secretary General, Association of 

Consulting Engineers, the panel consisted of 

Pat O’Doherty, Chief Executive ESB, Melanie 

Sheppard, Finance Director, Pfizer Healthcare 

Ireland, Dr. Ashley O’Donoghue, Head of Staff 

Learning & Development and Sara Devitt, 

Associate Director, AECOM. 

It focused on the diversity and inclusion initiatives 

delivered within the panelists’ workplaces and 

highlighted positive actions to inspire change in 

the engineering and built environment sectors. It 

was followed by a lively debate with guests from 

TU Dublin alumni and from industry. 

Class Reunions 

There were many class reunions held throughout 

the year. BSc Hotel & Catering Management 

Class of ’92 30 Year “Fresher’s Reunion” was in 

the Green Room at Cathal Brugha Street with not 

only alumni but also staff and retired lecturers 

attending. Property Economics Class of 1988 held 

its 30 Year Reunion at the Dean Hotel, Harcourt 

Street with most of the class in attendance as 

well their former lecturer Tom Dunne, now Head 

of the School of Surveying and Construction 

Management. Applied Science Class of 1988 

celebrated its 30 year Reunion, which included 

a tour of Marsh’s Library, Kevin Street, and dinner 

TU Dublin Bolton Street Class of 1968 

at the Clarence Hotel. TU Dublin Bolton Street 

Class of 1968 celebrated their 50th anniversary 

in July with a gathering at St. Laurence’s at 

Grangegorman and a tour of the campus. 

They were joined by Ger Reilly, Head of School, 

Mechanical & Design Engineering who presented 

them with a gift on behalf of Bolton Street. Peter 

Heaslip from the City Campus Planning team, 

himself a Bolton Street alumnus from 1976, gave 

the tour. The Electrical Engineering Class of 1977 

celebrated 40 years slightly belatedly. Graduates 

met up with Professor Michael Conlon who gave 

them a tour of Kevin Street. 

Mixed groups of alumni from all schools attended 

tours of the new Grangegorman campus. 

Internationally acclaimed Irish actor of the stage 

and screen, Liam Cunningham, received the TU 

Dublin City Campus Brendan Behan Award in 

November for his outstanding contribution to 

the arts and in recognition of his humanitarian 

work. The TU Dublin City Campus Brendan 

Behan Award was established in 2016 by the 

students of TU Dublin Societies in memory of 

the author and alumnus to acknowledge those 

who have demonstrated excellence in the area 

of the arts, culture and the media. Cunningham 

was presented the award by the students at a 

ceremony at Kevin Street Campus. Following 

the presentation Cunningham spoke to the 

audience about his acting career in Ireland and 

internationally and his work raising awareness 

of the harsh conditions facing refugees fleeing 

conflicts in South Sudan and Syria. 

Annual TU Dublin City Campus Brendan Behan awarded to 

Kevin Street Alumnus and Actor Liam Cunningham

Thank 

You 

We would like to thank all of 

our donors in 2018 

for helping us to have such great impact at TU 

Dublin in terms of our capital development, 

delivering innovative programmes and supporting 

access to education. 

Donations to TU Dublin Foundation totalled 

€1,677,468 for 2018. A full set of TU Dublin 

Foundation’s audited accounts are available 

on our website. 

TU Dublin Foundation is fully committed to achieving the highest standards of 

accountability and transparency. We prepare fully audited accounts in accordance 

with the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities (SORP) which are available 

on our website. TU Dublin Foundation has also started the journey to adopt the 

Governance Code of Community, Voluntary and Charitable Organisations in Ireland. 

TU Dublin Foundation is a registered charity with the Charities Regulator of Ireland. 

Registration number is 20045807. 

Contact Us 

If you would like to learn more about the work of TU Dublin Foundation and how to get 

involved please contact Julie Stafford – 01 4024137 

Directors 

Chair - Dr. Jim Gahan, Angela Brady OBE, Peter Coyle, Prof. David FitzPatrick, 

Prof. Neville Hogan, David Kennedy, Dr. Bobby Kerr, Anna Marie McHugh, 

Dr. Noel O’Connor and Ian O’Herlihy 

Staff 

Anne-Marie Corry, Executive Director; Julie Stafford, Senior Development Manager; 

Aisling Carr, Alumni Relations Manager; Jill O’Lone; Scholarship Manager & Administrator.

TU Dublin Foundation Donor Report 2018

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