2020s

LAURA TUFFERY

PhD 2020

LAURA TUFFERY

lives in the US, where she is a research scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. Alumni events attended: UCD Bus...

Read More

AHMAD MASSOUD AHMADI

MSc Humanitarian Action 2020

AHMAD MASSOUD AHMADI

lives in Ireland and is a Construction Project Manager Assistant at BAM Ireland. Memories of UCD: I enrolled in the Huma...

Read More

AAMIR KHAN

MSc Business of Biotherapeutics 2020

AAMIR KHAN

lives in Ireland and is the Senior Pharmacovigilance Project Lead at IQVIA Biotech. Memories of UCD: Time spent at the S...

Read More

RAJSHREE ANAND

MSc Global Change Ecosystem Science & Policy 2020

RAJSHREE ANAND

lives in Ireland and is an environmental scientist. Alumni events attended: My long-awaited graduation ceremony post-Cov...

Read More

RINA TIERNEY-PREGUN

BSocSc 2021

RINA TIERNEY-PREGUN

lives in Ireland and is a Student Social Worker/Family Support Practitioner at Tusla. Memories of UCD: I always enjoyed...

Read More

CONOR SPAIN

BA 2021

CONOR SPAIN

lives in Ireland and is a Public Affairs Consultant at Hanover Communications. Favourite lecturer: Dr Graham Finlay in t...

Read More

YUQING WANG

MSc 2022

YUQING WANG

lives in Ireland and her favourite lecturer was Professor Mary Lambkin....

Read More

PIARAS SWEENEY

BA 2022

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Witnessing the public speaking skills of lecturers when the PA malfunctioned in Theatre L

ANWAR ALABDALI

PhD 2021

ANWAR ALABDALI

lives in Iraq and is Assistant Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Baghdad. Memories of...

Read More

2010s

CLARA BARRY MURPHY

DipBS 2011, BBS 2013

CLARA BARRY MURPHY

lives in Ireland and works in sales. Memories of UCD: I was stuck in a deep, dark valley of a dull career. At UCD, I cli...

Read More

DR KEVIN KIELY

PhD 2012

DR KEVIN KIELY

lives in Ireland and is a freelance writer and researcher. He has published Harvard’s Patron: Jack of all Poets and UC...

Read More

HÉLÈNE XISTO

MSc International Management/CEMS 2013

lives in Ireland and works in Solution Engineering at Salesforce. Love on campus: UCD Smurfit organised events for newly arrived international students. A student called Seán ran a session on Irish culture. We ended up talking for hours and haven’t stopped since. After ten amazing years, we married last month! "

D SAMILKA CHAMINI MENDIS

BSc Management Information Systems 2013

D SAMILKA CHAMINI MENDIS

lives in Sri Lanka and works at the Institution of Incorporated Engineers. Memories of UCD: Meeting friends. We navigate...

Read More

HILARY SHERIDAN KNOX

BA 2014

lives in Ireland and is the owner of Plant Design by Hilary. Favourite lecturer: Associate Professor Bairbre Ní Fhloinn, an interesting and engaging lecturer on folklore. The Archaeological department also had Professor Graeme Warren, Professor Aidan O’Sullivan, Professor Tadhg O’Keeffe, Professor Muiris O’Sullivan and Dr Rob Sands. Memories of UCD: Two wonderful weeks on an archaeological dig in Glendalough. Many friendships were made during that dig, and on campus.

GUS COLLINS

ProfDip 2014, ProfDip 2017, MSc Management and Leadership 2017

lives in Ireland and is co-founder and COO of Checksolo, an Irish digital workflow platform start-up. Favourite lecturer: All lecturers that brought in their experience from the real world interested me. It was great to understand the outcomes of their decisions, both positive and negative.

MARTINA WORRALL

BA 2015

lives in Ireland. Favourite lecturer: A true education of discovery began by opening the door into the classroom of Professor Frank McGuinness: for the formula, “I think, therefore I am” and “I think, I feel married together in maturity, therefore I know I am”, UCD, I thank you!

SHERINI MINEKA RUVANTHI MARAMBE

BSc Human Resources Management 2016

lives in Sri Lanka and is a Trauma Healer at the Trauma Healing Institute. Alumni events attended: Reunion in Sri Lanka in 2015. Memories of UCD: Every year I think about my days of studying at UCD. I love UCD; now some of my friends from Sri Lanka are keen to study there too.

MICHELLE TIONG

MSc Petroleum Geoscience 2016

lives in China and is a Postdoctoral Researcher at China University of Petroleum-Beijing (CUPB). Favourite lecturer: I loved them all! Professor Peter Haughton, Dr Ivan Lokmer, Professor John Walsh, Associate Professor Tom Manzocchi, Dr Lawrence Amy, Dr Conrad Childs and Professor Patrick Shannon. Professional highlight from the last year: Being selected as one of four fellows in the Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow Programme at CUPB. Memories of UCD: We went on geological field trips, shared stories and bonded over our college experiences. Looking back, I realise now how important it is to bond with classmates outside the classroom. I know the times we spent together will remain with me forever.

SWATHI SHIVA KUMAR

MSc 2018

lives in Ireland and is a cybersecurity engineer at AIB. Memories of UCD: I took part in a crime scene investigation with my friends. I took on the role of a photographer/evidence collector and won the highest points. It was the first time I investigated a crime scene: the course gave us a practical view of forensics.

AMEYA RANE

MSc Computer Science 2018

AMEYA RANE

lives in Ireland and is a Senior Consultant at Deloitte. Memories of UCD: The football tournament organised by the Inter...

Read More

HENRY ASHWORTH

MPH 2018

HENRY ASHWORTH

lives in the US where, having graduated from Harvard Medical School last year, he is now an Emergency Medicine Resident...

Read More

HAILEY HAWTHORNE

BA 2019, MA 2020

HAILEY HAWTHORNE

lives in the US and is a teacher in the Pinelands Regional School District in New Jersey. Alumni events attended: Events...

Read More

SHEILA GLORIA ATIM

LLM 2019

SHEILA GLORIA ATIM

lives in Uganda and is Head of Legal Research, Chief Justice Chambers, at The Judiciary, Government of Uganda. Memories...

Read More

ADAM MC RANN

BA Politics and History 2019

lives in Ireland and is the Digital Fundraising Officer at Amnesty International. Professional highlight: My new role at Amnesty International. Memories of UCD: My fondest memory is playing football with my friends on a sunny spring day on the green at Glenomena student residences. Favourite lecturer: Professor Diarmuid Ferriter.

2000s

BRENDAN MC DONAGH

MBA 2002

BRENDAN MC DONAGH

lives in Luxembourg and is a Senior Advisor at the European Investment Bank. Memories of UCD: Ours was a unique MBA clas...

Read More

PETER FRANCEV

MA Philosophy 2001

PETER FRANCEV

lives in the US and is a Senior Lecturer at Victor Valley College. Memories of UCD: Fantastic lectures with amazing fac...

Read More

LAURA ROCHE

BA 2002, HDip in Ed 2003

lives in Ireland and is Assistant Principal at Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education. Memories of UCD: I particularly remember Declan Downey’s ‘Blood Lecture’, where he described the gory rituals of the ancient Aztecs. It gave me the love of history that inspired me to pursue a career in teaching

EUGENIA THOMPSON

BA 2004, MRUP 2006

EUGENIA THOMPSON

lives in Ireland and is a Senior Executive Planner at Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly. Memories of UCD: Loved my fiv...

Read More

1990s

ANASTASIA WARD

BCL 1992

lives in Ireland and is Assistant Principal Officer, High Court Registrar, at The Four Courts. Memories of UCD: The singularity of Professor Finbarr McCauley and Dr Dervilla Donnelly (from my time in Pre-med), a formidable lady and wonderful lecturer; the whipped white coffees from the dispensing machines in the Arts Block, for the princely sum of 20p

MAIREAD ANDERSON

BA 1992

lives in the UK and is enjoying early retirement. Memories of UCD: I completed my degree at night: I’d leave the company office on Baggot Street just after 5pm and get the number 10 bus to campus. Dinner was egg and chips in the campus canteen on those institutional green plates. Simpler times. Favourite lecturer: One stands out for me – Professor Seamus Deane. I could have listened to him forever.

BARRY HOLMES

BComm 1994, MBS 1995, MSc 2018

BARRY HOLMES

lives in Ireland and is the Director of Group Human Resources at RCSI, Dublin. Memories of UCD: Chip butties in the old...

Read More

JOHN RYAN

PhD 1996

lives in Ireland and is an investor, director and mentor. He has published a book titled Energy Management Principles. Memories of UCD: Applying the science of microbiology to commercial and societal outcomes. My favourite lecturer was Professor Catherine (Renée)Kelly.

CONOR LOONEY

BComm 1996

CONOR LOONEY

lives in Florida. He is a shareholder in and CEO of EXO Edge, which outsources for the global real estate industry. Memo...

Read More

CATHERINE MC CARNEY

BSc 1999, MSc 2002

lives in Ireland and is a Dissection Room Manager at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine. Memories of UCD: Sitting at the UCD Canoe Club noticeboard where you could always be sure of a welcome, a friendly face and someone to while away an hour or two with.

1980s

COLMA BRIOSCÚ

BA 1980

COLMA BRIOSCÚ

lives in Ireland and is Head of Keyboard Faculty, Professor of Pianoforte, at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Alumni e...

Read More

DAVID FARRELL

BA 1981, MA 1983

DAVID FARRELL

lives in Ireland and is a professor at UCD. Favourite lecturer: Apart from my father (Professor Brian Farrell), definite...

Read More

JACQUELINE SWEENEY

BSc Chemistry 1982, MBA 1992, ProfDip 2013

JACQUELINE SWEENEY

lives in Ireland and is an executive coach. Alumni events attended: 25-year reunion; UCD Festival; alumni reception in U...

Read More

MICHAEL MC LAUGHLIN

BE 1982, MEngSc 1992

MICHAEL MC LAUGHLIN

lives in Ireland and is a Senior Fellow at Qorvo Inc. Professional highlight from the last year: Receiving the UCD Alumn...

Read More

MARY MC CANN

BComm 1983

lives in the UK. Favourite lecturer: Professor John Teeling. Really charismatic and inspiring, he made us feel like anything was possible. I also liked my Law lecturer Martin Gleeson and was saddened to learn of his recent death. Memories of UCD: Meeting new people from so many backgrounds, some becoming lifelong friends. I was in awe of the size of our BComm class, two thirds of which was male! I enjoyed the learning, the challenge, having to meet deadlines while managing a social life. A great experience.

KEVIN DENNY

BA 1983, MA 1984

KEVIN DENNY

lives in Ireland and is Head of School at the School of Economics at UCD. Memories of UCD: Many happy ones. Our classes...

Read More

PATRICK FLYNN

BCL 1983

lives in Ireland and is the Chairman of Flynn O’Driscoll, Business Lawyers. Memories of UCD: I was the only one from my school St Muredach’s College, Ballina, Co Mayo who went to UCD in September 1980, at just 17. I had great assistance from the UCD Students’ Union, the Chaplain’s Office, the School of Law and my fellow students, most of whom are still good friends. Thursday’s Law Society and Friday’s L&H events were great diversions. Hearing the likes of Gerry Stembridge, Gerard Hogan and others before they became famous was memorable. 1980 to 1983 were very happy times. The gym was only built in 1982 as most students then were not into fitness and there was nobody living on campus. How things have changed now. When I walk in UCD now, I am struck by the volume of students, the sports campus and the 24/7 energy of the campus.

CLARE GREALY

BA 1983, HDip in Ed 1985

CLARE GREALY

lives in Ireland and is an Irish teacher at the Institute of Education. Favourite lecturer: Professor Brian Farrell in P...

Read More

ANNE FLANAGAN

MB BCh BAO 1984, DipCH 1986

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Waiting for the exam papers to be handed out in our first exam, when a classmate known as Dr Bob walked in dressed as Napoleon, complete with hat. There was a great laugh and a round of applause! It relieved the tension in the room.

DENIS KENNEDY

BComm 1985

DENIS KENNEDY

lives in Tipperary and retired as accountant and business advisor at Bank of Ireland in 2018. Professional highlight fro...

Read More

MICHAEL LOWRY

BSc Chemistry 1985

MICHAEL LOWRY

lives in the UK and is retired. Love on campus: Stephanie and I met in the Science Block on our first day; we married in...

Read More

PÓL BOND

BA 1987, DipCREd 1993, DipCat 1995, MA 2006

lives in Ireland and is a Senior Educational Psychologist at the National Educational Psychological Service. Professional highlight from the last year: Being invited back to UCD to give a talk about my work at UCD Psychological Society. Walking back into the Arts Block was a great feeling. Memories of UCD: Falling in love with a wonderful person and doing so little study that I just about passed my exams.

1970s

PERDITA QUINLAN (GUSKEN)

BComm 1971

PERDITA QUINLAN (GUSKEN)

lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: In 1967, women students were not allowed to wear trousers in Earlsfort...

Read More

SHELIA COYLE

BA 1973

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Topping the poll in the Student Representative Council (SRC)election in second and third year Arts; occupying the offices in protest against fees; favourite lecturer, Dr Françoise Henry.

DR MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN

BSocSc 1974

DR MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN

lives in Ireland and is Director and Treasurer of the Spirituality Institute for Research and Education (SpIRE), a Chari...

Read More

FRED TUITE

BA 1974, HDip in Ed 1975, DipCG 1982

FRED TUITE

lives in Ireland and is a careers consultant in Kilkenny. Memories of UCD: I took up fencing and really enjoyed travelli...

Read More

PATRICK O’CONNOR

BA 1970

lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: June 1970 in the Great Hall in Earlsfort Terrace: My proud and rather elderly parents had come all the way from Cork for the conferring of their first child to get a university education. The President, Dr Jeremiah Hogan, was accompanied by UCD Secretary, JP McHale et al. My beaming parents got increasingly excited as we were called up in fours. My name was called and I mounted the dais, fourth in my group. The three ahead of me got their handshake and scroll. I got my handshake too but, horror of horrors, my parchment could not be found. Silence throughout the hall. Mr McHale found a blank parchment, rolled it up and placed it in my sweating hands. I stepped down all on my own and the audience clapped. My dear parents were beside themselves.

OLIVER MURPHY

(BA 1975, HDip in Ed 1976)

OLIVER MURPHY

lives in Ireland and is a teacher at the Institute of Education. Professional highlight from the last year: One of my st...

Read More

PETER CHARLES LYNCH

BA 1977

lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: An abiding memory is being given lists of books about each topic on the History course. In the 1970s, the Library only had a single copy. Less of a problem these days with internet access!

1950s

BRIGID FLANAGAN (FAHEY)

MB BCh BAO 1957

lives in Ireland and is a General Practitioner in Dromiskin, Dundalk. Alumni events attended: Golden and Diamond Jubilee Reunions in UCD. Memories of UCD: Membership and captaincy of UCD Ladies Hockey Club, including trips to Liverpool and Cambridge (whom we beat!).

WILLIAM WHITE

BE Mechanical Engineering 1959

WILLIAM WHITE

lives in the US. Memories of UCD: Resting my elbow in Aherns with great friends before the Yerrawaddies Dance at the Oly...

Read More

1960s

SEÁN MC CARTHY

BSc Biochemistry 1966

SEÁN MC CARTHY

lives in Ireland and is retired. Love on campus: My wife Mary (née Bourke)and I met at UCD; we were both studying Bioch...

Read More

JACK ABELL

BE Mechanical 1967

lives in Canada and worked at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business as General Manager of Field Operations. Alumni events attended: All Class of 1967 reunions. Memories of UCD: I do recall how excited and surprised I was upon learning that I had passed the final exams with a BE degree in four years. Favourite lecturer: Professor Vincent McCabe, a lovely gentleman.

ROBERT B. DOWNES

MB BCh BAO 1968

lives in the US and retired last year. Alumni events attended: 50th anniversary reunion in Dublin in 2017. Memories of UCD: When I saw my results – I had passed the final exams! Favourite lecturer: Professor Denis K. Donovan, known as DK.

MARGARET FRANKLIN

BSc 1969, MSc 1974

lives in Ireland and retired in 2009 as Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at Athlone Institute of Technology. Memories of UCD: Fr Moore’s Botany lectures; playing second violin in the Music Society orchestra under the baton of Gearóid Grant; chemistry practicals (with demonstrations on closed-circuit TV, quite an innovation in 1965). Alumni events attended: A great Golden Jubilee Reunion with the Class of 1969 in 2019.

CATHERINE LLOYD

MB BCh BAO 1965

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: I met my husband at UCD. He died ten years ago and I miss him so much. After UCD, we went to the US and had wonderful experiences. I really enjoyed college life and all the adventures we had

PEADAR MAC MÁGHNAIS

MB BCh BAO 1960

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: When I entered Pre-med in 1954, my Professor of Zoology was James Bayley Butler. He knew that we were not seriously interested in zoology, nor were the dental students who shared the lectures with us. The notes of his lectures were available at a modest price. Bayley’s lectures were mainly exercises in autobiography: His study of parasites, his exploits during World War, his invention of a waterproof map for the US Army, his building of a Roman villa in his Howth garden with stones from the Four Courts and the help of his students, and so on. Bayley retired in 1956. His memory still lives on at UCD because of the Biological Society trophy which bears his name.

LAURA TUFFERY
PhD 2020

lives in the US, where she is a research scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. Alumni events attended: UCD Business Alumni Panel Discussion in New York. Memories of UCD: Relay for Life, fencing competitions, capoeira classes, the UCD Sub-Aqua Club. Favourite lecturer: Dr Dimitri Scholz.

AHMAD MASSOUD AHMADI
MSc Humanitarian Action 2020

lives in Ireland and is a Construction Project Manager Assistant at BAM Ireland. Memories of UCD: I enrolled in the Humanitarian Action master’s at UCD with the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship option. Incredible experiences at universities in Bilbao and New York and at the United Nations in New York shaped not only my academic path but also my perspective on the world and the power of compassion.

AAMIR KHAN
MSc Business of Biotherapeutics 2020

lives in Ireland and is the Senior Pharmacovigilance Project Lead at IQVIA Biotech. Memories of UCD: Time spent at the Students’ Union and other societies.

RAJSHREE ANAND
MSc Global Change Ecosystem Science & Policy 2020

lives in Ireland and is an environmental scientist. Alumni events attended: My long-awaited graduation ceremony post-Covid. A special day. Memories of UCD: Getting a hug from my Programme Director the first day I arrived at UCD; the beautiful campus; playing basketball.

RINA TIERNEY-PREGUN
BSocSc 2021

lives in Ireland and is a Student Social Worker/Family Support Practitioner at Tusla. Memories of UCD: I always enjoyed sitting by the lake and eating lunch hastily before the seagulls decided I’d had enough to eat. Favourite lecturer: All the Social Work lecturers are legends and sound as a pound. Love on campus: No romance but some very meaningful friendships

CONOR SPAIN
BA 2021

lives in Ireland and is a Public Affairs Consultant at Hanover Communications. Favourite lecturer: Dr Graham Finlay in the School of Politics and International Relations. Professional highlight from the last year: Supporting offshore wind developer Ocean Winds and Bord na Móna at the launch of their joint venture partnership which brings together one of Ireland’s oldest energy companies with one of the world’s leaders in offshore wind development. Happy

YUQING WANG
MSc 2022

lives in Ireland and her favourite lecturer was Professor Mary Lambkin.

PIARAS SWEENEY
BA 2022

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Witnessing the public speaking skills of lecturers when the PA malfunctioned in Theatre L

ANWAR ALABDALI
PhD 2021

lives in Iraq and is Assistant Professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Baghdad. Memories of UCD: Heavy snow in March 2018. I have photos of UCD covered with snow – it was a very nice time!

CLARA BARRY MURPHY
DipBS 2011, BBS 2013

lives in Ireland and works in sales. Memories of UCD: I was stuck in a deep, dark valley of a dull career. At UCD, I climbed up out of that valley. Now I sing from the highest mountains.

DR KEVIN KIELY
PhD 2012

lives in Ireland and is a freelance writer and researcher. He has published Harvard’s Patron: Jack of all Poets and UCD Belfield Metaphysical: New and Selected Poems. Memories of UCD: The invitation from Professor Andrew Carpenter from the UCD School of English, Drama and Film, to take on PhD research into the Edward Woodberry Poetry Room, Harvard, aided by UCD and a J. William Fulbright Scholar Fellowship in Poetry. My research took me to the UK and the US as Visiting Professor of Literature.

HÉLÈNE XISTO
MSc International Management/CEMS 2013

lives in Ireland and works in Solution Engineering at Salesforce. Love on campus: UCD Smurfit organised events for newly arrived international students. A student called Seán ran a session on Irish culture. We ended up talking for hours and haven’t stopped since. After ten amazing years, we married last month! "

D SAMILKA CHAMINI MENDIS
BSc Management Information Systems 2013

lives in Sri Lanka and works at the Institution of Incorporated Engineers. Memories of UCD: Meeting friends. We navigated the ups and downs of college life together, never missed a chance to have fun. Our friendships are as strong as ever.

HILARY SHERIDAN KNOX
BA 2014

lives in Ireland and is the owner of Plant Design by Hilary. Favourite lecturer: Associate Professor Bairbre Ní Fhloinn, an interesting and engaging lecturer on folklore. The Archaeological department also had Professor Graeme Warren, Professor Aidan O’Sullivan, Professor Tadhg O’Keeffe, Professor Muiris O’Sullivan and Dr Rob Sands. Memories of UCD: Two wonderful weeks on an archaeological dig in Glendalough. Many friendships were made during that dig, and on campus.

GUS COLLINS
ProfDip 2014, ProfDip 2017, MSc Management and Leadership 2017

lives in Ireland and is co-founder and COO of Checksolo, an Irish digital workflow platform start-up. Favourite lecturer: All lecturers that brought in their experience from the real world interested me. It was great to understand the outcomes of their decisions, both positive and negative.

MARTINA WORRALL
BA 2015

lives in Ireland. Favourite lecturer: A true education of discovery began by opening the door into the classroom of Professor Frank McGuinness: for the formula, “I think, therefore I am” and “I think, I feel married together in maturity, therefore I know I am”, UCD, I thank you!

SHERINI MINEKA RUVANTHI MARAMBE
BSc Human Resources Management 2016

lives in Sri Lanka and is a Trauma Healer at the Trauma Healing Institute. Alumni events attended: Reunion in Sri Lanka in 2015. Memories of UCD: Every year I think about my days of studying at UCD. I love UCD; now some of my friends from Sri Lanka are keen to study there too.

MICHELLE TIONG
MSc Petroleum Geoscience 2016

lives in China and is a Postdoctoral Researcher at China University of Petroleum-Beijing (CUPB). Favourite lecturer: I loved them all! Professor Peter Haughton, Dr Ivan Lokmer, Professor John Walsh, Associate Professor Tom Manzocchi, Dr Lawrence Amy, Dr Conrad Childs and Professor Patrick Shannon. Professional highlight from the last year: Being selected as one of four fellows in the Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow Programme at CUPB. Memories of UCD: We went on geological field trips, shared stories and bonded over our college experiences. Looking back, I realise now how important it is to bond with classmates outside the classroom. I know the times we spent together will remain with me forever.

SWATHI SHIVA KUMAR
MSc 2018

lives in Ireland and is a cybersecurity engineer at AIB. Memories of UCD: I took part in a crime scene investigation with my friends. I took on the role of a photographer/evidence collector and won the highest points. It was the first time I investigated a crime scene: the course gave us a practical view of forensics.

AMEYA RANE
MSc Computer Science 2018

lives in Ireland and is a Senior Consultant at Deloitte. Memories of UCD: The football tournament organised by the International Students’ Society in 2018: a bunch of us who played together on the Merville pitches formed the ‘Dublin Athletic FC’ team. After six months of matches we won the final game by seven goals but it wasn’t the winning that mattered, it was the bond we created.

HENRY ASHWORTH
MPH 2018

lives in the US where, having graduated from Harvard Medical School last year, he is now an Emergency Medicine Resident at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California. Alumni events attended: UCD Alumni reception in San Francisco. Memories of UCD: Travelling, adventuring, surfing, hanging out with the UCD Surf Club; lifelong friends. Favourite lecturer: Associate Professor Conor Buggy.

HAILEY HAWTHORNE
BA 2019, MA 2020

lives in the US and is a teacher in the Pinelands Regional School District in New Jersey. Alumni events attended: Events for prospective students in Washington, DC, where I shared my experience of UCD with students and their parents. I am still close to the friends I met at UCD and we get together once a year. Memories of UCD: Time between classes in the basement of Newman, playing cards; taking advantage of sunny weather to buy an ice cream and sit by the lake.

SHEILA GLORIA ATIM
LLM 2019

lives in Uganda and is Head of Legal Research, Chief Justice Chambers, at The Judiciary, Government of Uganda. Memories of UCD: I was impressed by my lecturer in Refugee Law, Dr Liam Thornton. I was comfortable in his class even though I was the only black student. His teaching methods were easy to grasp; he was fair and highly ethical. I also enjoyed learning karate as a member of the UCD Karate Club.

ADAM MC RANN
BA Politics and History 2019

lives in Ireland and is the Digital Fundraising Officer at Amnesty International. Professional highlight: My new role at Amnesty International. Memories of UCD: My fondest memory is playing football with my friends on a sunny spring day on the green at Glenomena student residences. Favourite lecturer: Professor Diarmuid Ferriter.

BRENDAN MC DONAGH
MBA 2002

lives in Luxembourg and is a Senior Advisor at the European Investment Bank. Memories of UCD: Ours was a unique MBA class as we had all our lectures at PwC in Dublin 1. At a regular class meeting in the Harbourmaster pub, we productively reviewed our lectures!

PETER FRANCEV
MA Philosophy 2001

lives in the US and is a Senior Lecturer at Victor Valley College. Memories of UCD: Fantastic lectures with amazing faculty, especially Associate Professor Timothy Mooney and Professor James O’Shea.

LAURA ROCHE
BA 2002, HDip in Ed 2003

lives in Ireland and is Assistant Principal at Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education. Memories of UCD: I particularly remember Declan Downey’s ‘Blood Lecture’, where he described the gory rituals of the ancient Aztecs. It gave me the love of history that inspired me to pursue a career in teaching

EUGENIA THOMPSON
BA 2004, MRUP 2006

lives in Ireland and is a Senior Executive Planner at Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly. Memories of UCD: Loved my five years in UCD studying Geography, Archaeology & Economics, followed by a master’s in Urban Planning; lifelong friendships

ANASTASIA WARD
BCL 1992

lives in Ireland and is Assistant Principal Officer, High Court Registrar, at The Four Courts. Memories of UCD: The singularity of Professor Finbarr McCauley and Dr Dervilla Donnelly (from my time in Pre-med), a formidable lady and wonderful lecturer; the whipped white coffees from the dispensing machines in the Arts Block, for the princely sum of 20p

MAIREAD ANDERSON
BA 1992

lives in the UK and is enjoying early retirement. Memories of UCD: I completed my degree at night: I’d leave the company office on Baggot Street just after 5pm and get the number 10 bus to campus. Dinner was egg and chips in the campus canteen on those institutional green plates. Simpler times. Favourite lecturer: One stands out for me – Professor Seamus Deane. I could have listened to him forever.

BARRY HOLMES
BComm 1994, MBS 1995, MSc 2018

lives in Ireland and is the Director of Group Human Resources at RCSI, Dublin. Memories of UCD: Chip butties in the old restaurant that cost 80p! Love on campus: Met my now wife who was studying Arts, in Greece: romance blossomed on campus!

JOHN RYAN
PhD 1996

lives in Ireland and is an investor, director and mentor. He has published a book titled Energy Management Principles. Memories of UCD: Applying the science of microbiology to commercial and societal outcomes. My favourite lecturer was Professor Catherine (Renée)Kelly.

CONOR LOONEY
BComm 1996

lives in Florida. He is a shareholder in and CEO of EXO Edge, which outsources for the global real estate industry. Memories of UCD: Dick Roche was a standout lecturer, his sessions on the origins and aspirations of the EU are as relevant today as they were in the mid-1990s.

CATHERINE MC CARNEY
BSc 1999, MSc 2002

lives in Ireland and is a Dissection Room Manager at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine. Memories of UCD: Sitting at the UCD Canoe Club noticeboard where you could always be sure of a welcome, a friendly face and someone to while away an hour or two with.

COLMA BRIOSCÚ
BA 1980

lives in Ireland and is Head of Keyboard Faculty, Professor of Pianoforte, at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Alumni events attended: A Choral Celebration of Christmas at Newman University Church in December 2022. Memories of UCD: Seóirse Bodley lectured us on Irish Music and gave great insight into the world of sean-nós singing, traditional instruments, notably the harp and uilleann pipes. He celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year. We remember his lectures and play his music.

DAVID FARRELL
BA 1981, MA 1983

lives in Ireland and is a professor at UCD. Favourite lecturer: Apart from my father (Professor Brian Farrell), definitely Professor Richard Sinnott. Memories of UCD: Squeezing into the student bar (in those days a sweaty prefab)for a pint or two and then working it off at the restaurant gig (health and safety would have had a field day!).

JACQUELINE SWEENEY
BSc Chemistry 1982, MBA 1992, ProfDip 2013

lives in Ireland and is an executive coach. Alumni events attended: 25-year reunion; UCD Festival; alumni reception in UCD Smurfit School to mark the 40th anniversary of the move to Carysfort. Love on campus: I have a wonderful memory of sitting in the car with my father on June 22 1985 in torrential rain, as we headed to Belfield Church. I married Joe Dowling that day. We met in third year Chemistry in 1981 and have had wonderful adventures since.

MICHAEL MC LAUGHLIN
BE 1982, MEngSc 1992

lives in Ireland and is a Senior Fellow at Qorvo Inc. Professional highlight from the last year: Receiving the UCD Alumni Award in Engineering and Architecture 2022. Memories of UCD: Lying in the sun outside Belfield Bar with Ciarán Connell, a fellow engineering student, on the day we graduated, each with a pint in our hand. I remember saying to him “Ciarán, with our Engineering degrees, your communication skills and my inventions, we should really start a company. We would make an unbeatable combination.” Twenty-five years later, we joined forces in Decawave which brought the world’s first successful Ultra-Wideband microchips to the market. We sold the company in 2021 in a record-breaking deal.

MARY MC CANN
BComm 1983

lives in the UK. Favourite lecturer: Professor John Teeling. Really charismatic and inspiring, he made us feel like anything was possible. I also liked my Law lecturer Martin Gleeson and was saddened to learn of his recent death. Memories of UCD: Meeting new people from so many backgrounds, some becoming lifelong friends. I was in awe of the size of our BComm class, two thirds of which was male! I enjoyed the learning, the challenge, having to meet deadlines while managing a social life. A great experience.

KEVIN DENNY
BA 1983, MA 1984

lives in Ireland and is Head of School at the School of Economics at UCD. Memories of UCD: Many happy ones. Our classes were small by today’s standards, and we got to know each other and our professors well. Seeing my BA results posted on campus – not how we do things now – and rushing to ring my parents from a payphone with the good news. Love on campus: I met my wife, Dorren McMahon, at UCD. She was studying History at the time.

PATRICK FLYNN
BCL 1983

lives in Ireland and is the Chairman of Flynn O’Driscoll, Business Lawyers. Memories of UCD: I was the only one from my school St Muredach’s College, Ballina, Co Mayo who went to UCD in September 1980, at just 17. I had great assistance from the UCD Students’ Union, the Chaplain’s Office, the School of Law and my fellow students, most of whom are still good friends. Thursday’s Law Society and Friday’s L&H events were great diversions. Hearing the likes of Gerry Stembridge, Gerard Hogan and others before they became famous was memorable. 1980 to 1983 were very happy times. The gym was only built in 1982 as most students then were not into fitness and there was nobody living on campus. How things have changed now. When I walk in UCD now, I am struck by the volume of students, the sports campus and the 24/7 energy of the campus.

CLARE GREALY
BA 1983, HDip in Ed 1985

lives in Ireland and is an Irish teacher at the Institute of Education. Favourite lecturer: Professor Brian Farrell in Politics, and in Roinn na Gaeilge, Professor Aingeal de Búrca. Memories of UCD: Entertaining L&H Friday night debates in Theatre L and coffee in the restaurant with Alice telling us all to ‘take your feet off the table!’

ANNE FLANAGAN
MB BCh BAO 1984, DipCH 1986

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Waiting for the exam papers to be handed out in our first exam, when a classmate known as Dr Bob walked in dressed as Napoleon, complete with hat. There was a great laugh and a round of applause! It relieved the tension in the room.

DENIS KENNEDY
BComm 1985

lives in Tipperary and retired as accountant and business advisor at Bank of Ireland in 2018. Professional highlight from the last year: One of my postretirement goals was to put my writing skills to good use. I wrote 60 articles which appeared between August 2020 and October 2021 in three Munster regional newspapers. I self-published this compilation of 60 articles in one volume, And Life Went On

MICHAEL LOWRY
BSc Chemistry 1985

lives in the UK and is retired. Love on campus: Stephanie and I met in the Science Block on our first day; we married in 1988 in the church on campus. We return to UCD every year on our wedding anniversary and visit Fr Shan O’Cuiv, who married us. Memories of UCD: The chapel on campus will forever be special; chemistry practicals; sport; great friends.

PÓL BOND
BA 1987, DipCREd 1993, DipCat 1995, MA 2006

lives in Ireland and is a Senior Educational Psychologist at the National Educational Psychological Service. Professional highlight from the last year: Being invited back to UCD to give a talk about my work at UCD Psychological Society. Walking back into the Arts Block was a great feeling. Memories of UCD: Falling in love with a wonderful person and doing so little study that I just about passed my exams.

PERDITA QUINLAN (GUSKEN)
BComm 1971

lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: In 1967, women students were not allowed to wear trousers in Earlsfort Terrace – this changed very quickly when all the girls turned up in their jeans! The BComm class were the first to move out to the new Arts Block in Belfield. When applying for accountancy training after graduation, some of the big firms replied: ‘Sorry, we are not looking for secretaries presently.’ We have come a long way and so has UCD! Lovely to see such a progressive, impressive University. Cardinal Newman would be proud.

SHELIA COYLE
BA 1973

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Topping the poll in the Student Representative Council (SRC)election in second and third year Arts; occupying the offices in protest against fees; favourite lecturer, Dr Françoise Henry.

DR MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN
BSocSc 1974

lives in Ireland and is Director and Treasurer of the Spirituality Institute for Research and Education (SpIRE), a Charitable Trust, and also works in the South East Technological University (SETU). Alumni events attended: I co-organised the 40th anniversary celebrations of our graduation and now the Golden Jubilee is almost upon us! Memories of UCD: As a young Jesuit, I was blessed to spend the years of my studies at UCD in the company of many intelligent and socially committed female students who influenced the stands I have taken over the years for the wellbeing of women in Church and society

FRED TUITE
BA 1974, HDip in Ed 1975, DipCG 1982

lives in Ireland and is a careers consultant in Kilkenny. Memories of UCD: I took up fencing and really enjoyed travelling to competitions all over the country; making great friends through the Fencing Club.

PATRICK O’CONNOR
BA 1970

lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: June 1970 in the Great Hall in Earlsfort Terrace: My proud and rather elderly parents had come all the way from Cork for the conferring of their first child to get a university education. The President, Dr Jeremiah Hogan, was accompanied by UCD Secretary, JP McHale et al. My beaming parents got increasingly excited as we were called up in fours. My name was called and I mounted the dais, fourth in my group. The three ahead of me got their handshake and scroll. I got my handshake too but, horror of horrors, my parchment could not be found. Silence throughout the hall. Mr McHale found a blank parchment, rolled it up and placed it in my sweating hands. I stepped down all on my own and the audience clapped. My dear parents were beside themselves.

OLIVER MURPHY
(BA 1975, HDip in Ed 1976)

lives in Ireland and is a teacher at the Institute of Education. Professional highlight from the last year: One of my students made the Irish team for the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad in Slovenia. Alumni events attended: 25th anniversary reunion in 2000. Memories of UCD: Being in the UCD bar when a guy called Gerry and his boyfriend Hugo went around with trays of crisps and nuts as if we were all at some sherry party. Marvellous. Love on campus: I started going out with a beautiful girl named Carol who was studying Science. We’re still together after 50 years.

PETER CHARLES LYNCH
BA 1977

lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: An abiding memory is being given lists of books about each topic on the History course. In the 1970s, the Library only had a single copy. Less of a problem these days with internet access!

BRIGID FLANAGAN (FAHEY)
MB BCh BAO 1957

lives in Ireland and is a General Practitioner in Dromiskin, Dundalk. Alumni events attended: Golden and Diamond Jubilee Reunions in UCD. Memories of UCD: Membership and captaincy of UCD Ladies Hockey Club, including trips to Liverpool and Cambridge (whom we beat!).

WILLIAM WHITE
BE Mechanical Engineering 1959

lives in the US. Memories of UCD: Resting my elbow in Aherns with great friends before the Yerrawaddies Dance at the Olympic.

SEÁN MC CARTHY
BSc Biochemistry 1966

lives in Ireland and is retired. Love on campus: My wife Mary (née Bourke)and I met at UCD; we were both studying Biochemistry. Memories of UCD: When I gave my first paper to the Biological Society, instead of saying “to bridge that gap” I kept saying “to gap that bridge” which made everyone laugh. After UCD, I went to Leeds University on a PhD scholarship to study Agricultural Chemistry. My career was mainly with Guinness, first as a brewer, then as Chief Chemist.

JACK ABELL
BE Mechanical 1967

lives in Canada and worked at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business as General Manager of Field Operations. Alumni events attended: All Class of 1967 reunions. Memories of UCD: I do recall how excited and surprised I was upon learning that I had passed the final exams with a BE degree in four years. Favourite lecturer: Professor Vincent McCabe, a lovely gentleman.

ROBERT B. DOWNES
MB BCh BAO 1968

lives in the US and retired last year. Alumni events attended: 50th anniversary reunion in Dublin in 2017. Memories of UCD: When I saw my results – I had passed the final exams! Favourite lecturer: Professor Denis K. Donovan, known as DK.

MARGARET FRANKLIN
BSc 1969, MSc 1974

lives in Ireland and retired in 2009 as Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at Athlone Institute of Technology. Memories of UCD: Fr Moore’s Botany lectures; playing second violin in the Music Society orchestra under the baton of Gearóid Grant; chemistry practicals (with demonstrations on closed-circuit TV, quite an innovation in 1965). Alumni events attended: A great Golden Jubilee Reunion with the Class of 1969 in 2019.

CATHERINE LLOYD
MB BCh BAO 1965

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: I met my husband at UCD. He died ten years ago and I miss him so much. After UCD, we went to the US and had wonderful experiences. I really enjoyed college life and all the adventures we had

PEADAR MAC MÁGHNAIS
MB BCh BAO 1960

lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: When I entered Pre-med in 1954, my Professor of Zoology was James Bayley Butler. He knew that we were not seriously interested in zoology, nor were the dental students who shared the lectures with us. The notes of his lectures were available at a modest price. Bayley’s lectures were mainly exercises in autobiography: His study of parasites, his exploits during World War, his invention of a waterproof map for the US Army, his building of a Roman villa in his Howth garden with stones from the Four Courts and the help of his students, and so on. Bayley retired in 1956. His memory still lives on at UCD because of the Biological Society trophy which bears his name.

Interested in different year?

Please click on the year below..

20192020202120222024