Across UCD, transformative capital projects are creating a campus where well-being, inclusion and belonging are embedded by design. Innovative learning spaces and modern facilities reflect the ambitions of a Global Top 100 University. They inspire curiosity, encourage collaboration and support excellence in education and research. Far beyond bricks and mortar, these investments represent a commitment to the generations of UCD students who will shape the future, and to the researchers whose discoveries will help address some of the world’s greatest challenges. They are made possible with the help of our extraordinary community of alumni, philanthropic supporters and partners, whose vision and generosity are making an impact that will endure for future generations, and furthermore help to unlock essential government funding.
UCD O’CONNOR CENTRE FOR LEARNING AT THE HEART OF ACADEMIC LIFE
Officially opened in March 2026, the O’Connor Centre for Learning is an exciting new landmark on the Belfield campus. Designed to meet the needs of contemporary learners, the Centre provides flexible teaching spaces, technology-enabled classrooms and welcoming areas for independent and collaborative study. It reflects the evolution of higher education, where learning extends beyond the lecture theatre and students thrive in environments that encourage creativity, discussion and connection.
The Centre also reflects UCD’s commitment to sustainability. As a Near-Zero Energy Building (NZEB), it incorporates innovative design and advanced technologies that reduce energy demand while optimising heating, lighting and water use, supporting the University’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Named in honour of the late Dr Eddie O’Connor, a distinguished UCD alumnus whose generous philanthropic gift helped make the project possible, the Centre stands as a lasting tribute to his belief in the importance of education. His legacy lives on in a building that will enrich the experience of UCD students for decades to come.
A LIBRARY DESIGNED FOR WELL-BEING AND INCLUSION
The James Joyce Library has been at the heart of student life in Belfield since the 1970s. It is woven into the memories of our alumni as a place where minds are opened to new ideas and knowledge, bonds are forged in the heat of exam season, and respite from the busyness of campus life is found.
The ongoing transformation of the Library recognises the diverse needs of students and researchers, and the changed landscape of learning in the digital age. It reflects a broader vision for how knowledge is created, accessed and exchanged, by incorporating modern technology, flexible study areas, collaborative spaces and inclusive facilities.
Beyond a purely academic function, the Library offers a safe and comfortable sanctuary, from early until late, to students who commute long distances to campus, or who may not have access to adequate resources or space to study at home. It is designed to give all students, regardless of circumstance, a sense of belonging in their place of learning.
Alongside student well-being, the redevelopment also emphasises the Library’s role as custodian of the remarkable treasures held in UCD Archives, UCD Special Collections and the National Folklore Collection, with a new Cultural Heritage Centre that will soon bring the story of Ireland and its people to a wider audience.
SPORTS AND AMENITIES FOR ALL
Well-being, connection and belonging are fundamental to a holistic university experience. The investment in UCD’s Sports and Amenities Precinct, supported by students through the UCD Student Centre Levy, will enhance the campus environment and benefit students’ physical and mental health, whether they are competing at the highest level in sport, exploring new activities through clubs and societies, or simply finding opportunities to connect with friends.
As part of a wider €90+ million redevelopment of UCD’s sporting facilities, which has included the resurfacing of playing pitches and the completion of a state-of-the-art athletics track, the Sports and Amenities Precinct will be a focal point for sport, recreation, performance and community on campus.
The new facilities will include five indoor tennis courts, rehearsal and performance spaces, and a multipurpose sports hall with the flexibility and space to accommodate an examination centre. This will be a game changer during busy exam periods, eliminating the added stress of having to travel off campus to sit exams.
A NEW ERA OF UCD SCIENCE
A remarkable 20-year transformation of UCD Science – and one of the largest investments in science infrastructure in the State – is entering its final chapter. Students, researchers and faculty are eagerly anticipating the move into the completed UCD O’Brien Centre for Science in the coming academic year, bringing to life a vibrant, interconnected Science District designed to inspire discovery, collaboration and innovation.
Built to accommodate 7,500 students and hundreds of academic and professional staff, the new teaching and laboratory spaces have been created with flexibility, adaptability and sustainability in mind. In this way, the facilities will evolve seamlessly to accommodate emerging technologies and new approaches to research, teaching and learning. The ambitious vision for UCD Science is coming to fruition thanks to the incredible support of alumni and donors, and the enduring resilience of the UCD science community throughout this multiphase project.
SUSTAINABLE PHILANTHROPY: AN ENDOWMENT FOR THE FUTURE
UCD is fortunate to have the support of an extraordinary philanthropic community of alumni and friends across the globe who believe in UCD’s mission and care about its future. This year, UCD’s commitment to establishing an Endowment Fund marks a defining moment in its story, and a call to build a permanent foundation for its success. The University has pledged €30 million in seed funding on the condition that this investment is matched by philanthropic donations.
Unlike gifts directed to immediate priorities, donations to the Endowment will be invested for the long term, generating a sustainable and growing source of income for the University in perpetuity. This is philanthropy with compounding impact. Every donation today will keep working for UCD long after it is made, funding scholarships, research and ambition for future generations of students.
An endowment of scale gives UCD something rare: the freedom to think in decades, not budget cycles. It strengthens the University’s ability to seize emerging opportunities, to lead research of global significance without being constrained by short-term funding cycles, and to protect the student experience against times of uncertainty. For donors, it is a chance to leave a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
ACCELERATING INNOVATION IN CANCER RESEARCH AND CARE
Philanthropic support is also critical to advancing UCD’s groundbreaking research programmes and partnerships. A long-standing partnership with St Vincent’s University Hospital is driving breakthroughs in cancer research and transforming patient care. St Vincent’s UCD Cancer Care Centre represents an ambitious vision to be recognised both nationally and internationally as a world-class comprehensive cancer centre.
In Ireland, an estimated one in two people will receive a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime, and demand for specialist cancer services will continue to rise as our population grows and ages. Meeting that challenge requires more than exceptional clinical care – it demands sustained investment in research, innovation and education to deliver life-saving therapies for patients.
Philanthropy will play a vital role in ensuring that promising discoveries by scientists in UCD can be translated into new therapies and better outcomes for patients as quickly as possible. Investment in endowed academic chairs, fellowships and scholarships will attract outstanding clinicians and researchers, while fostering a vibrant research network that brings together experts across disciplines and around the world.
Building this research infrastructure is critical to ensuring that Ireland remains at the forefront of cancer research and treatment, according to Dr David Fennelly, Clinical Director of St Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre.
“Everyone recognises the key role that research plays in improving patient outcomes,” he says. “I want to create a research infrastructure that will link clinician scientists in the hospital with scientific colleagues in UCD. With that foundation in place, the Centre will be able to attract further competitive research funding, expand access to clinical trials and train the next generation of oncology leaders.”
By supporting the new St Vincent’s UCD Cancer Centre, alumni and donors have an opportunity to invest in a future where more patients have access to clinical trials, personalised treatments are more widely available, and scientific breakthroughs are translated rapidly into new therapies.
“This is all about improving the lives of patients and their families,” Dr Fennelly concludes. “The skills, the expertise, the enthusiasm – it’s all there already. It’s a matter of funding now.”
ONWARDS WITH GRATITUDE
We are immensely grateful for the support and encouragement of our fantastic community of alumni, donors, partners and friends. Together, we are investing in a brighter future by creating life-changing opportunities for students and helping to advance cutting-edge research at UCD.
■ To learn more about how you can support these projects and other initiatives at UCD, contact UCD Foundation by email at info@ucdfoundation.ie, or telephone +353 1 716 1406.