Re-Connections 2025
Alumni from around the globe get in touch to update us on what’s happening in their lives and share their memories of UCD
COLMA BRIOSCÚ
BA 1980
lives in Ireland and is former Professor of Pianoforte and Head of Keyboard Faculty at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Professional highlight: I retired as Professor of Pianoforte after 38 years at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, 40 years as a Music Examiner and eight years as Head of Faculty. Alumni events attended this year: 45th Reunion lunch in May. Memories of UCD: Studying in the James Joyce Library, meeting friends in the canteen and singing in the UCD Choir. I have lifelong connections with colleagues from the Music Department.
LIAM FARRELL
MB BCh BAO 1982, DipCh 1985
lives in Ireland and is a GP. My published book: Are You The F**king Doctor?
GRAHAM GLYNN
BSc 1984
lives in the United States and is a Professor and former Provost at Radford University in Virginia. His research for the past six years has focused on running universities effectively and inter-institutional resource sharing. He recently published a book, Metrics, Mapping and Modelling for Masterful Management in Higher Education (Emerald Publishing) and would love to hear from alumni working in this field.
PATRICK KING
BA 1985
lives in Germany and is a senior cabin crew member. Favourite lecturer: Deirdre O’Grady from the Italian Department was an outstanding teacher of the Italian language. Memories of UCD: Taking part in a play called Die Chinesische Mauer (The Great Wall Of China) by Swiss author Max Frisch, at Maynooth College. It was very funny.
LISA BIRTHISTLE
BA English & Philosophy 1987
lives in Ireland and works in Dublin as a HR Consultant. Memories of UCD: DramSoc! Acting, painting sets, working backstage, a party celebrating the end of a week and two plays every Friday night. The fun, the creativity, the friendships, the hard work, the laughter. It was the best time for so many of us and the memories are vivid and many. Possibly the happiest years ever.
CIARÁN MC CARTHY
BA 1989, HDipSSR 1990, MSocSc 1992
lives in Ireland and works as an administrator at the Four Courts. Favourite lecturer: The late Dr Cyril M. White. Cyril proved to be most influential in my life, a true friend. He died recently and I miss him. My published book: Closer to Walking Again (Dublin University Press). Alumni events attended this year: 90th anniversary of the BSocSc programme, at MoLI. Memories of UCD: I enjoyed the well-rounded education received at UCD, provided by committed lecturers willing to teach and guide.
MICHAEL LOWRY
BSc 1985
lives in the United Kingdom and is happily retired. Favourite lecturer: Professor David Feakins, a really inspiring person who brought great clarity to complex issues. Memories of UCD: A wonderful learning experience, great campus. Love on campus: I met Stephanie on our first day in the science block. We got married in the lovely Our Lady Seat of Wisdom chapel in 1988 and return every August to visit Fr Shan O’Cuiv, who was then Science Chaplain at UCD. The chemistry and magic of UCD worked: this year we will be married 37 years.
DECLAN O’KEEFFE
BA 1980, HDip in Ed 1981, MA 2009, ProfCert 2020
lives in Ireland and is College Historian at Clongowes Wood College, in Co. Kildare. Professional highlight: Technological University Dublin offered me a place on the PhD programme in September 2023. I was awarded a PhD for Jesuit Publications, 1873-1918: A Mirror and a Spotlight, in June.
1970s
DECLAN COLLINGE
BA 1970, HDipEd 1971, MA 1983, PhD 1986
lives in Ireland and is a retired teacher/ lecturer/poet/writer of columns in the Tuarascáil section of The Irish Times. My published books: The Fadó Series of Irish Legends and Saints; The Lonely Hush of Eve: Selected and New Poems; Through Streets Broad and Narrow: Voices of Dublin. Favourite lecturer: The late great Gus Martin. Since I played guitar and harmonica and Gus loved Irish ballads, we sang at many parties until the small hours! Love on campus: I used to gaze over the library counter at a pretty strawberry blonde library assistant. We are married over 50 years. Our eldest daughter Nessa is a librarian in the Architects’ Library at UCD so the wheel has come full circle!
TOM HUTCHINSON
MB BCh BAO 1971
lives in Canada and is Professor of Medicine at McGill University. My published book: The Craft of Medicine. Professional highlight: I spent a glorious sabbatical at UCD writing The Craft of Medicine and presenting to groups at UCD and around the country on a new approach to medical practice. Whole person care has its origins in the deeply human caring of palliative medicine combined with the most technically sophisticated components of modern healthcare. This approach which we have developed at McGill University in Montreal is now taught to all medical students in a ‘Healing Curriculum’. We hope to see a similar approach adopted at UCD medical school. I was hosted at UCD by the School of Medicine, headed by Professor Michael Keane, and by Professor Fiona McNicholas who graciously shared her office with me at the beautiful Belfield campus.
BERNADETTE O’SULLIVAN
BA 1974
lives in Ireland and is a lecturer in journalism at Griffith College. Favourite lecturers: FX Martin and Sr Ben. Professional highlight: Still working at 72! Alumni events attended this year: 50th anniversary reunion last summer. Memories of UCD: The Arts faculty had just moved to Belfield. Everything felt very new, very big. Impressive lecturers. I made many lifelong friends.
MICHAEL PATRICK TONER
MA Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama 1972
lives in the United States and is an actor, director, playwright and writer. Favourite lecturer: Professors Roger McHugh, Augustine Martin, Seamus Deane, Tom Kinsella, Kevin Danaher, Donal Mc Cartney, Alan Bliss, Tom Kilroy and a host of others. These people brought literature and history alive in an Irish and a global context. We were truly standing on the shoulders of giants. I also coached the women’s basketball team, and played on the men’s.
AVRIL SHERIDAN
BCL 1978
lives in Ireland and works in Dublin as a mediator and quasi-judicial decision-maker for the Medical Council, CORU, Chartered Accountants of Ireland, Nursing and Midwifery Board, and also serves as a decision maker in the Valuation Tribunal. Professional highlight: Awarded Most Professional Mediator in South Dublin, at the Irish Enterprise Awards 2025.
MARTIN MC GOVERN
BA 1977, MA 1979
lives in the United States. Favourite lecturer: My thesis advisor, Professor Maurice Manning, alerted me to an opening at The Irish Press that shaped my career and life. That copy boy position with a national newspaper introduced me to professional teamwork, taught me how news is developed and helped me to secure my first published articles.
1960s
PAUL O’REILLY
BCL 1969
lives in Ireland and is retired. Favourite lecturer: J. M. Kelly for constitutional law. Alumni events attended: The 50th anniversary reunion of 1969 graduates at the National Concert Hall in 2019. Memories of UCD: Meeting people in the bustling Great Hall at Earlsfort Terrace; having coffee in the Annex; listening to the Creatures and other beat groups in the Aula Max; pints in O’Dwyer’s and Kirwan’s.
MARGARET MEYER
MB BCh BAO 1964
lives in the United States. A Medical Missionary of Mary, she worked as a Medical Officer in Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria. Alumni events attended: 40th anniversary reunion in 2004; 50th anniversary reunion in 2014. Memories of UCD: There were three Medical Missionaries of Mary in the class of 90 students: Martha Collins, Maura Lynch and myself. We would walk through Iveagh Gardens to Newman House for a hot, delicious dinner for two shillings and sixpence. If the queue was long, we would pray in the chapel next door for a while. If we had time between lectures, we would take a nice stroll through Stephen’s Green.
JOAN CONNOLLY
BSc 1964
lives in the United States. Favourite lecturer: Professor Carmel Humphries taught zoology. A lovely person and a great lecturer. I still remember so many of the things she taught us 64 years ago. Memories of UCD: The L&H Society on Saturday nights. Tony Clare was terrific.
ELIZABETH WILSON
BA 1965, HDip in Ed 1966
lives in Ireland. Favourite lecturer: Sean Page. Alumni events attended this year: The UCD Choral Scholars concert at Christmas. Memories of UCD: The place to meet was in Main Hall, or down in the Annex. In summer term, the Iveagh Gardens were a delight. I made good friends who are still friends: we are meeting in September for our Diamond Jubilee.
MUIREANN O’BRIAIN
BCL 1965
My published book: A Coat of Many Colours. Aside from the relationship between my father, Professor Roger McHugh [Inaugural UCD Chair in Anglo-Irish Literature], and my husband, Colm O’Briain [former director of the Arts Council and co-founder of the Project Arts Centre, who died in 2020], the book includes hilarious references to DramSoc in a piece by Marie-Therese Brennan Boissé.
P. KEVIN MAC KEOWN
BSc 1962
lives in Hong Kong. My published book: A Stormy Petrel: The Life and Times of John Pope Hennessy. Favourite lecturer: Rev. E. F. O’Doherty; David Judge, showman par excellence; Mr Timoney, who wore a tattered gown and never looked at notes.
CHARLES EUGENE CONNOLLY
MB BCh BAO 1965, BSc 1968
lives in Ireland and is Emeritus Professor of Pathology at University College Galway. Favourite lecturer: Professor John Harman, who taught pathology in third and fourth year. I wanted to become a histopathologist like him. After training in New York and England, in 1974 I was appointed Consultant Pathologist at UCG Hospital.
GERRY KELLY
BSc1964
Alumni events attended: Diamond Jubilee Reunion for the Class of 1964. Gerry took the opportunity to visit UCD Judo Club, which he founded in 1960. The Judo Club is the oldest martial arts club at UCD. Memories of UCD: Few people in Ireland had heard of judo when Gerry set up the Club. The UCD president at the time was highly suspicious of what he perceived as ‘some strange oriental religion’, and the Club wasn’t recognised by UCD until 1964. Last November, UCD Judo Club captain Alistair Wilson invited Gerry to present the medals at the Colours competition between UCD and Trinity.
1950s
MARGARET DELANEY
BSc 1951
lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Great friendships. My accommodation was in the Dominican Hall and Loreto Hall, Stephen’s Green – four to a room! We took ballroom dancing lessons. Number 86 St Stephen’s Green was a venue for dances; we raced back to halls for the strict deadline of 11pm.
PATRICK QUINN
BArch 1954
lives in the United States where he is a design consultant and actor. My published book: Associate editor on The Cambridge World History of Christian Architecture. Favourite lecturer: Mattie McDermott was a character, as was Dem Fitzgerald. Professional highlight: Played Polonius in Hamlet in Saratoga Music Hall, New York. Alumni events attended: New York and San Francisco and our 50th at UCD. Memories of UCD: A field trip to Rome in 1953 with Padraig Murray, Brian O’Carroll, Mary O’Connor, Tom Skehan, Bill Delaney, et al, which paved the way for my eventually becoming a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome.
DESMOND SWAN
BA 1956, HDipEd 1957, MA English 1960, DipPsych 1966, PhD 1974.
Desmond Swan was Professor of Education at UCD from 1974 to 1998. He received a personal letter of thanks from HM The King of Morocco for his work as co-author of The Best is Possible: Modern Morocco Viewed through the Lens of King Mohmmad VI’s Speeches (1999-2019), and was awarded membership of the Giga Lortkipanidze Academy of Georgia for his work on Crossing – the Georgian and Irish Poems. He is now writing his memoir.
NIALL CULLEN
MB BCh BAO 1955
Alumni events attended: Earlier this year I returned to Belfield to mark the 70th anniversary of my graduation, touring the Health Sciences Centre and exploring the anatomy museum and clinical skills lab. I was interested to see how the School of Medicine has grown and changed since my time as a medical student at UCD.
CATHERINE BOLGER HICKEY
BArch 1954
Catherine was a Double Blue, representing UCD in both tennis and hockey, travelling to compete against other universities. The hockey team won everything including the Senior Cup in 1950-51, a feat not repeated until 50 years later. Memories of UCD: I got on the Irish hockey team while playing for UCD. I really enjoyed studying architecture, especially working in the drawing studio. Great times. Alumni events attended: Diamond Jubilee in 2014; I am a member of the University Club and enjoy having lunch there.
RANDAL MC DONNELL
BArch 1959
Alumni events attended: My Diamond Jubilee in 2019; I was also interviewed as part of the Belfield 50 celebration in 2020 – I worked with architect Andrzej Wejchert on the design for the Arts Building at Belfield after I graduated. Memories of UCD: Long hours in the enormous studio at Earlsfort Terrace, freezing despite its turf fire; helpful studio masters; playing rugby for UCD; pints in Hartigans; an exciting architecture trip to Amsterdam; great fun and good friends who remained friends.
1940s
ELIZABETH MULCAHY BERNEY
BSc 1941, MSc 1942
Elizabeth was born in Dublin in 1921, one of six children of General Richard Mulcahy and Min Ryan. She studied biochemistry at UCD and afterwards worked as a public analyst in food safety compliance. She worked for Bird’s Jelly during the Second World War before giving up her career when she married, as was the norm at the time. Memories of UCD: Camogie was a huge part of my college life. We had a wonderful team and we used to practise in the meadows in Belfield. One of the great thrills of my life was being picked to play for Leinster against Munster in a camogie match, and I played in Croke Park twice. We wore long wool skirts with three big pleats, down to the heels. My sister Neillí was a fashion designer and she designed a beautiful new uniform for us, but it was turned down by the powers that be because the skirt was too short! There were societies galore and they were all very lively. I joined the choir. I had no voice, but it was good fun socially. When we’d have a concert, I’d get behind a big aspidistra on the stage so that I’d be well out of sight. UCD was very much a community. It wasn’t too big. The Aula Max was where you met everyone and found out who was going to the dance. Very important. Words of wisdom: Education is the most important thing. The great thing now is that you don’t stop when you have your degree and your job, and that’s that. You carry on learning. The world is your oyster.
2010s
SUSAN STOREY
BA 2010, MA 2012, PhD 2017
lives in Canada and is chair of Canada Connects 2024, a conference for Canadian women leaders. Susan is also chair of the Alumni Committee at the School of Art History and Cultural Policy. Favourite lecturers: Professors Ivar McGrath, Kathleen James-Chakraborty, Lynda Mulvin, Carla Briggs and Emily Mark Fitzgerald. Memories of UCD: The friendship of fellow students and lecturers. My PhD programme required me to teach. To be a part of shaping the educational experience of UCD students was a great honour.
ELIZABETH COOTE
BA 2011, HDip 2012
lives in Ireland and worked at UCD for many years. Favourite lecturer: Dr Ron Callan in the English department. Memories of UCD: Helping students from every part of Ireland and overseas. I experienced great joy daily with students and staff. After retirement in 2003, I returned to UCD at 68, studied hard and got my degree. I am now 84 years young. Love on campus: My husband, Walter, was a Belfield campus security officer for 21 years. He is now 92. Our children and grandchildren have all gone to university. It’s never too late to get your degree, but best if you try while you are young!
DR SIEW CHONG KEIT
MSc Management 2012
lives in Singapore and is a Chief Operations and Technology Officer. Favourite lecturers: Dr Aidan Kelly and Dr Robinson. Professional highlight: I completed my doctoral studies, eight years after finishing my masters degree at UCD.
DR KEVIN KIELY
PhD 2012
lives in Ireland and is Poetry & Culture Critic at Village magazine. Memories of UCD: Many great memories, including the invitation from Professor Andrew Carpenter, renowned Jonathan Swift scholar, to take on a research PhD. Aided by UCD and a Fulbright Scholarship in Poetry, my PhD research took me to universities in England and the United States as Visiting Professor of Literature. This fantastic project became a book, Harvard’s Patron: Jack of all Poets.
DR LINDA SIMON
MVB 2013
lives in the UK and works as a veterinary surgeon. Favourite lecturer: Rory Breathnach: he made it all seem doable. Professional highlight: I published a book, Puppy Perfect: The Ultimate Guide to Raising the Dog You’ve Always Wanted. Memories of UCD: Long, sunny picnic lunches by the pond; trips to Lyons Farm.
ORLA MC MANAMLY
BAFS 2015
lives in Bermuda and is an actuary. Love on campus: I married a UCD classmate in UCD earlier this year, ten years after graduating.
EDWIN LIM
BSc Business 2015
lives in Singapore and works in business development. Alumni events attended: Singapore alumni events.
RIYA GULATI
LLM 2017
lives in India and is a law and tech researcher. Professional highlight: Represented India at the World Youth Festival. Memories of UCD: UCD provided me with a platform to enhance my research skills, be independent, and learn from exceptional professors and peers. I remember Michael Byrne (Old Man Belfield), a quiet person with an angelic aura. I miss my professors, UCD staff members and peers – you have all been kind to me and I wish you all the best.
KARL F CONYARD
Master of Public Health 2017
lives in Ireland and is an ASPHER Fellow at UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science. Favourite lecturers: Professor Mary Codd, who lit a fire in all of us; Professor Pat Wall, a genius, and Professor Patricia Fitzpatrick, an expert physician. Professional highlight: Publishing ASPHER Core Curriculum for Public Health. the first ever Pan-European Core Curriculum for Public Health. Memories of UCD: The assignment-heavy spring, when we lived our lives in the UCD Health Science Library!
LE TRINH HONG PHUC
BBS 2019, MSc 2024
lives in Vietnam and works at stationery company SOWI S.H. Favourite lecturer: Dr A. Anand Naidu. Professional highlight: My masters graduation in Singapore in April 2024. Memories of UCD: Summer school at UCD in Dublin in 2018. My best memories are from those two weeks in Dublin.
2000s
KURUPPU ARACHCHIGE SRIYAN NAYANAPRIYA PREMARATHNA
BSc 2003
lives in Singapore and is a full stack web developer. Favourite lecturer: Dr Butler. Alumni events attended this year: Reception at the Irish Ambassador’s residence in Singapore.
JOHN K. WHITE
PhD Physics 2006.
Professional highlight: Published The Truth About Energy: Our Fossil-Fuel Addiction and the Transition to Renewables (Cambridge University Press), which compares current and future advances in renewable energy, providing the context to examine different technologies competing in a fast-evolving engineering, political, and economic landscape.
STYLIANI VERAROU
Erasmus Exchange Student 2006
lives in Greece and works at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens as a Clinical Trial Start Up Coordinator. Favourite lecturer: Aine McHugh. Memories of UCD: How welcome I felt. A special thank you to Aine McHugh, who was responsible for exchange students and helped me have a wonderful experience in UCD and Ireland.
JAVIER BOUZAS
BComm 2007, MBS 2009, MSc 2014
lives in Spain and is a project manager. Favourite lecturer: Professor Damien McLoughlin. Memories of UCD: The years I spent at UCD were truly exceptional, not just because of the academic quality but also the supportive and approachable faculty and the fantastic atmosphere among classmates.
ERIC (LECHER) MC GUIRE
MA Philosophy 2009
lives in the United States and works in Indianapolis Public Schools as Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure.
1990s
S VIJAYA KUMAR
DCh 1995
lives in India and is Professor of Practice in the Medical Sciences & Technology Department at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Memories of UCD: I am proud to be an alumnus of UCD, where I studied child health under Professor Brendan Drumm.
CONOR LOONEY
BComm 1996
lives in the United States where he is founder and Group CEO at EXO Edge which provides staffing to the US real estate industry. Favourite lecturer: Dick Roche on the origins, challenges and aspirations of the European Union – as relevant today as in the 1990s. Professional highlight: Last year, only seven years after we founded the company, we reached 1,200 employees.
ALAN MOORE
BA 1996
lives in Lithuania and works at Atom Group as Global Development Lead. Favourite lecturers: The late Stu Daltrey. Joe Brady from Geography was a gent and a genuinely inspiring lecturer, Gabriel Cooney was outstanding, as were Barry Raftery, George Eogan and John Bradley. Professional highlight: Hosting and producing television talk show Photochain, that saw me travel the world interviewing legends of world football. Memories of UCD: Winning my first Boxing Colours. Representing the University at four British & Irish University Championships and winning three Golds. ‘The Doc’ telling me to go to the United States on a scholarship for my masters. Love on campus: One romance did lead to marriage; while we split some years later, we’ve remained in touch and good friends.
CIARA O’CALLAGHAN
BCL 1997, DipArb 2004
lives in Ireland. Favourite lecturer: Professor Brady inspired a lifelong interest in Wills and Probate. Professional highlight: Served on the Board of the Property Registration Authority before its merger into Tailte Éireann. Memories of UCD: Roebuck Castle, a haunt for law students. We had our own coffee shop, less intimidating than the wider campus in the first semester; later I met students from all faculties.
BARRY WHELAN
MBS 1998, MSc 2011
lives in Ireland and works at PwC as Partner Advisory – Technology.
DR JOHN JENNINGS
BA 1999, HDipEqualSt 2001
lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: My time in the International Society. I made a lot of friends and got a diverse view of society. When I lived on campus, I met many nice European and American students.
COLMA BRIOSCÚ
BA 1980
lives in Ireland and is former Professor of Pianoforte and Head of Keyboard Faculty at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Professional highlight: I retired as Professor of Pianoforte after 38 years at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, 40 years as a Music Examiner and eight years as Head of Faculty. Alumni events attended this year: 45th Reunion lunch in May. Memories of UCD: Studying in the James Joyce Library, meeting friends in the canteen and singing in the UCD Choir. I have lifelong connections with colleagues from the Music Department.
LIAM FARRELL
MB BCh BAO 1982, DipCh 1985
lives in Ireland and is a GP. My published book: Are You The F**king Doctor?
GRAHAM GLYNN
BSc 1984
lives in the United States and is a Professor and former Provost at Radford University in Virginia. His research for the past six years has focused on running universities effectively and inter-institutional resource sharing. He recently published a book, Metrics, Mapping and Modelling for Masterful Management in Higher Education (Emerald Publishing) and would love to hear from alumni working in this field.
PATRICK KING
BA 1985
lives in Germany and is a senior cabin crew member. Favourite lecturer: Deirdre O’Grady from the Italian Department was an outstanding teacher of the Italian language. Memories of UCD: Taking part in a play called Die Chinesische Mauer (The Great Wall Of China) by Swiss author Max Frisch, at Maynooth College. It was very funny.
LISA BIRTHISTLE
BA English & Philosophy 1987
lives in Ireland and works in Dublin as a HR Consultant. Memories of UCD: DramSoc! Acting, painting sets, working backstage, a party celebrating the end of a week and two plays every Friday night. The fun, the creativity, the friendships, the hard work, the laughter. It was the best time for so many of us and the memories are vivid and many. Possibly the happiest years ever.
CIARÁN MC CARTHY
BA 1989, HDipSSR 1990, MSocSc 1992
lives in Ireland and works as an administrator at the Four Courts. Favourite lecturer: The late Dr Cyril M. White. Cyril proved to be most influential in my life, a true friend. He died recently and I miss him. My published book: Closer to Walking Again (Dublin University Press). Alumni events attended this year: 90th anniversary of the BSocSc programme, at MoLI. Memories of UCD: I enjoyed the well-rounded education received at UCD, provided by committed lecturers willing to teach and guide.
MICHAEL LOWRY
BSc 1985
lives in the United Kingdom and is happily retired. Favourite lecturer: Professor David Feakins, a really inspiring person who brought great clarity to complex issues. Memories of UCD: A wonderful learning experience, great campus. Love on campus: I met Stephanie on our first day in the science block. We got married in the lovely Our Lady Seat of Wisdom chapel in 1988 and return every August to visit Fr Shan O’Cuiv, who was then Science Chaplain at UCD. The chemistry and magic of UCD worked: this year we will be married 37 years.
DECLAN O’KEEFFE
BA 1980, HDip in Ed 1981, MA 2009, ProfCert 2020
lives in Ireland and is College Historian at Clongowes Wood College, in Co. Kildare. Professional highlight: Technological University Dublin offered me a place on the PhD programme in September 2023. I was awarded a PhD for Jesuit Publications, 1873-1918: A Mirror and a Spotlight, in June.
DECLAN COLLINGE
BA 1970, HDipEd 1971, MA 1983, PhD 1986
lives in Ireland and is a retired teacher/ lecturer/poet/writer of columns in the Tuarascáil section of The Irish Times. My published books: The Fadó Series of Irish Legends and Saints; The Lonely Hush of Eve: Selected and New Poems; Through Streets Broad and Narrow: Voices of Dublin. Favourite lecturer: The late great Gus Martin. Since I played guitar and harmonica and Gus loved Irish ballads, we sang at many parties until the small hours! Love on campus: I used to gaze over the library counter at a pretty strawberry blonde library assistant. We are married over 50 years. Our eldest daughter Nessa is a librarian in the Architects’ Library at UCD so the wheel has come full circle!
TOM HUTCHINSON
MB BCh BAO 1971
lives in Canada and is Professor of Medicine at McGill University. My published book: The Craft of Medicine. Professional highlight: I spent a glorious sabbatical at UCD writing The Craft of Medicine and presenting to groups at UCD and around the country on a new approach to medical practice. Whole person care has its origins in the deeply human caring of palliative medicine combined with the most technically sophisticated components of modern healthcare. This approach which we have developed at McGill University in Montreal is now taught to all medical students in a ‘Healing Curriculum’. We hope to see a similar approach adopted at UCD medical school. I was hosted at UCD by the School of Medicine, headed by Professor Michael Keane, and by Professor Fiona McNicholas who graciously shared her office with me at the beautiful Belfield campus.
BERNADETTE O’SULLIVAN
BA 1974
lives in Ireland and is a lecturer in journalism at Griffith College. Favourite lecturers: FX Martin and Sr Ben. Professional highlight: Still working at 72! Alumni events attended this year: 50th anniversary reunion last summer. Memories of UCD: The Arts faculty had just moved to Belfield. Everything felt very new, very big. Impressive lecturers. I made many lifelong friends.
MICHAEL PATRICK TONER
MA Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama 1972
lives in the United States and is an actor, director, playwright and writer. Favourite lecturer: Professors Roger McHugh, Augustine Martin, Seamus Deane, Tom Kinsella, Kevin Danaher, Donal Mc Cartney, Alan Bliss, Tom Kilroy and a host of others. These people brought literature and history alive in an Irish and a global context. We were truly standing on the shoulders of giants. I also coached the women’s basketball team, and played on the men’s.
AVRIL SHERIDAN
BCL 1978
lives in Ireland and works in Dublin as a mediator and quasi-judicial decision-maker for the Medical Council, CORU, Chartered Accountants of Ireland, Nursing and Midwifery Board, and also serves as a decision maker in the Valuation Tribunal. Professional highlight: Awarded Most Professional Mediator in South Dublin, at the Irish Enterprise Awards 2025.
MARTIN MC GOVERN
BA 1977, MA 1979
lives in the United States. Favourite lecturer: My thesis advisor, Professor Maurice Manning, alerted me to an opening at The Irish Press that shaped my career and life. That copy boy position with a national newspaper introduced me to professional teamwork, taught me how news is developed and helped me to secure my first published articles.
PAUL O’REILLY
BCL 1969
lives in Ireland and is retired. Favourite lecturer: J. M. Kelly for constitutional law. Alumni events attended: The 50th anniversary reunion of 1969 graduates at the National Concert Hall in 2019. Memories of UCD: Meeting people in the bustling Great Hall at Earlsfort Terrace; having coffee in the Annex; listening to the Creatures and other beat groups in the Aula Max; pints in O’Dwyer’s and Kirwan’s.
MARGARET MEYER
MB BCh BAO 1964
lives in the United States. A Medical Missionary of Mary, she worked as a Medical Officer in Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria. Alumni events attended: 40th anniversary reunion in 2004; 50th anniversary reunion in 2014. Memories of UCD: There were three Medical Missionaries of Mary in the class of 90 students: Martha Collins, Maura Lynch and myself. We would walk through Iveagh Gardens to Newman House for a hot, delicious dinner for two shillings and sixpence. If the queue was long, we would pray in the chapel next door for a while. If we had time between lectures, we would take a nice stroll through Stephen’s Green.
JOAN CONNOLLY
BSc 1964
lives in the United States. Favourite lecturer: Professor Carmel Humphries taught zoology. A lovely person and a great lecturer. I still remember so many of the things she taught us 64 years ago. Memories of UCD: The L&H Society on Saturday nights. Tony Clare was terrific.
ELIZABETH WILSON
BA 1965, HDip in Ed 1966
lives in Ireland. Favourite lecturer: Sean Page. Alumni events attended this year: The UCD Choral Scholars concert at Christmas. Memories of UCD: The place to meet was in Main Hall, or down in the Annex. In summer term, the Iveagh Gardens were a delight. I made good friends who are still friends: we are meeting in September for our Diamond Jubilee.
MUIREANN O’BRIAIN
BCL 1965
My published book: A Coat of Many Colours. Aside from the relationship between my father, Professor Roger McHugh [Inaugural UCD Chair in Anglo-Irish Literature], and my husband, Colm O’Briain [former director of the Arts Council and co-founder of the Project Arts Centre, who died in 2020], the book includes hilarious references to DramSoc in a piece by Marie-Therese Brennan Boissé.
P. KEVIN MAC KEOWN
BSc 1962
lives in Hong Kong. My published book: A Stormy Petrel: The Life and Times of John Pope Hennessy. Favourite lecturer: Rev. E. F. O’Doherty; David Judge, showman par excellence; Mr Timoney, who wore a tattered gown and never looked at notes.
CHARLES EUGENE CONNOLLY
MB BCh BAO 1965, BSc 1968
lives in Ireland and is Emeritus Professor of Pathology at University College Galway. Favourite lecturer: Professor John Harman, who taught pathology in third and fourth year. I wanted to become a histopathologist like him. After training in New York and England, in 1974 I was appointed Consultant Pathologist at UCG Hospital.
GERRY KELLY
BSc1964
Alumni events attended: Diamond Jubilee Reunion for the Class of 1964. Gerry took the opportunity to visit UCD Judo Club, which he founded in 1960. The Judo Club is the oldest martial arts club at UCD. Memories of UCD: Few people in Ireland had heard of judo when Gerry set up the Club. The UCD president at the time was highly suspicious of what he perceived as ‘some strange oriental religion’, and the Club wasn’t recognised by UCD until 1964. Last November, UCD Judo Club captain Alistair Wilson invited Gerry to present the medals at the Colours competition between UCD and Trinity.
MARGARET DELANEY
BSc 1951
lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Great friendships. My accommodation was in the Dominican Hall and Loreto Hall, Stephen’s Green – four to a room! We took ballroom dancing lessons. Number 86 St Stephen’s Green was a venue for dances; we raced back to halls for the strict deadline of 11pm.
PATRICK QUINN
BArch 1954
lives in the United States where he is a design consultant and actor. My published book: Associate editor on The Cambridge World History of Christian Architecture. Favourite lecturer: Mattie McDermott was a character, as was Dem Fitzgerald. Professional highlight: Played Polonius in Hamlet in Saratoga Music Hall, New York. Alumni events attended: New York and San Francisco and our 50th at UCD. Memories of UCD: A field trip to Rome in 1953 with Padraig Murray, Brian O’Carroll, Mary O’Connor, Tom Skehan, Bill Delaney, et al, which paved the way for my eventually becoming a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome.
DESMOND SWAN
BA 1956, HDipEd 1957, MA English 1960, DipPsych 1966, PhD 1974.
Desmond Swan was Professor of Education at UCD from 1974 to 1998. He received a personal letter of thanks from HM The King of Morocco for his work as co-author of The Best is Possible: Modern Morocco Viewed through the Lens of King Mohmmad VI’s Speeches (1999-2019), and was awarded membership of the Giga Lortkipanidze Academy of Georgia for his work on Crossing – the Georgian and Irish Poems. He is now writing his memoir.
NIALL CULLEN
MB BCh BAO 1955
Alumni events attended: Earlier this year I returned to Belfield to mark the 70th anniversary of my graduation, touring the Health Sciences Centre and exploring the anatomy museum and clinical skills lab. I was interested to see how the School of Medicine has grown and changed since my time as a medical student at UCD.
CATHERINE BOLGER HICKEY
BArch 1954
Catherine was a Double Blue, representing UCD in both tennis and hockey, travelling to compete against other universities. The hockey team won everything including the Senior Cup in 1950-51, a feat not repeated until 50 years later. Memories of UCD: I got on the Irish hockey team while playing for UCD. I really enjoyed studying architecture, especially working in the drawing studio. Great times. Alumni events attended: Diamond Jubilee in 2014; I am a member of the University Club and enjoy having lunch there.
RANDAL MC DONNELL
BArch 1959
Alumni events attended: My Diamond Jubilee in 2019; I was also interviewed as part of the Belfield 50 celebration in 2020 – I worked with architect Andrzej Wejchert on the design for the Arts Building at Belfield after I graduated. Memories of UCD: Long hours in the enormous studio at Earlsfort Terrace, freezing despite its turf fire; helpful studio masters; playing rugby for UCD; pints in Hartigans; an exciting architecture trip to Amsterdam; great fun and good friends who remained friends.
ELIZABETH MULCAHY BERNEY
BSc 1941, MSc 1942
Elizabeth was born in Dublin in 1921, one of six children of General Richard Mulcahy and Min Ryan. She studied biochemistry at UCD and afterwards worked as a public analyst in food safety compliance. She worked for Bird’s Jelly during the Second World War before giving up her career when she married, as was the norm at the time. Memories of UCD: Camogie was a huge part of my college life. We had a wonderful team and we used to practise in the meadows in Belfield. One of the great thrills of my life was being picked to play for Leinster against Munster in a camogie match, and I played in Croke Park twice. We wore long wool skirts with three big pleats, down to the heels. My sister Neillí was a fashion designer and she designed a beautiful new uniform for us, but it was turned down by the powers that be because the skirt was too short! There were societies galore and they were all very lively. I joined the choir. I had no voice, but it was good fun socially. When we’d have a concert, I’d get behind a big aspidistra on the stage so that I’d be well out of sight. UCD was very much a community. It wasn’t too big. The Aula Max was where you met everyone and found out who was going to the dance. Very important. Words of wisdom: Education is the most important thing. The great thing now is that you don’t stop when you have your degree and your job, and that’s that. You carry on learning. The world is your oyster.
SUSAN STOREY
BA 2010, MA 2012, PhD 2017
lives in Canada and is chair of Canada Connects 2024, a conference for Canadian women leaders. Susan is also chair of the Alumni Committee at the School of Art History and Cultural Policy. Favourite lecturers: Professors Ivar McGrath, Kathleen James-Chakraborty, Lynda Mulvin, Carla Briggs and Emily Mark Fitzgerald. Memories of UCD: The friendship of fellow students and lecturers. My PhD programme required me to teach. To be a part of shaping the educational experience of UCD students was a great honour.
ELIZABETH COOTE
BA 2011, HDip 2012
lives in Ireland and worked at UCD for many years. Favourite lecturer: Dr Ron Callan in the English department. Memories of UCD: Helping students from every part of Ireland and overseas. I experienced great joy daily with students and staff. After retirement in 2003, I returned to UCD at 68, studied hard and got my degree. I am now 84 years young. Love on campus: My husband, Walter, was a Belfield campus security officer for 21 years. He is now 92. Our children and grandchildren have all gone to university. It’s never too late to get your degree, but best if you try while you are young!
DR SIEW CHONG KEIT
MSc Management 2012
lives in Singapore and is a Chief Operations and Technology Officer. Favourite lecturers: Dr Aidan Kelly and Dr Robinson. Professional highlight: I completed my doctoral studies, eight years after finishing my masters degree at UCD.
DR KEVIN KIELY
PhD 2012
lives in Ireland and is Poetry & Culture Critic at Village magazine. Memories of UCD: Many great memories, including the invitation from Professor Andrew Carpenter, renowned Jonathan Swift scholar, to take on a research PhD. Aided by UCD and a Fulbright Scholarship in Poetry, my PhD research took me to universities in England and the United States as Visiting Professor of Literature. This fantastic project became a book, Harvard’s Patron: Jack of all Poets.
DR LINDA SIMON
MVB 2013
lives in the UK and works as a veterinary surgeon. Favourite lecturer: Rory Breathnach: he made it all seem doable. Professional highlight: I published a book, Puppy Perfect: The Ultimate Guide to Raising the Dog You’ve Always Wanted. Memories of UCD: Long, sunny picnic lunches by the pond; trips to Lyons Farm.
ORLA MC MANAMLY
BAFS 2015
lives in Bermuda and is an actuary. Love on campus: I married a UCD classmate in UCD earlier this year, ten years after graduating.
EDWIN LIM
BSc Business 2015
lives in Singapore and works in business development. Alumni events attended: Singapore alumni events.
RIYA GULATI
LLM 2017
lives in India and is a law and tech researcher. Professional highlight: Represented India at the World Youth Festival. Memories of UCD: UCD provided me with a platform to enhance my research skills, be independent, and learn from exceptional professors and peers. I remember Michael Byrne (Old Man Belfield), a quiet person with an angelic aura. I miss my professors, UCD staff members and peers – you have all been kind to me and I wish you all the best.
KARL F CONYARD
Master of Public Health 2017
lives in Ireland and is an ASPHER Fellow at UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science. Favourite lecturers: Professor Mary Codd, who lit a fire in all of us; Professor Pat Wall, a genius, and Professor Patricia Fitzpatrick, an expert physician. Professional highlight: Publishing ASPHER Core Curriculum for Public Health. the first ever Pan-European Core Curriculum for Public Health. Memories of UCD: The assignment-heavy spring, when we lived our lives in the UCD Health Science Library!
LE TRINH HONG PHUC
BBS 2019, MSc 2024
lives in Vietnam and works at stationery company SOWI S.H. Favourite lecturer: Dr A. Anand Naidu. Professional highlight: My masters graduation in Singapore in April 2024. Memories of UCD: Summer school at UCD in Dublin in 2018. My best memories are from those two weeks in Dublin.
KURUPPU ARACHCHIGE SRIYAN NAYANAPRIYA PREMARATHNA
BSc 2003
lives in Singapore and is a full stack web developer. Favourite lecturer: Dr Butler. Alumni events attended this year: Reception at the Irish Ambassador’s residence in Singapore.
JOHN K. WHITE
PhD Physics 2006.
Professional highlight: Published The Truth About Energy: Our Fossil-Fuel Addiction and the Transition to Renewables (Cambridge University Press), which compares current and future advances in renewable energy, providing the context to examine different technologies competing in a fast-evolving engineering, political, and economic landscape.
STYLIANI VERAROU
Erasmus Exchange Student 2006
lives in Greece and works at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens as a Clinical Trial Start Up Coordinator. Favourite lecturer: Aine McHugh. Memories of UCD: How welcome I felt. A special thank you to Aine McHugh, who was responsible for exchange students and helped me have a wonderful experience in UCD and Ireland.
JAVIER BOUZAS
BComm 2007, MBS 2009, MSc 2014
lives in Spain and is a project manager. Favourite lecturer: Professor Damien McLoughlin. Memories of UCD: The years I spent at UCD were truly exceptional, not just because of the academic quality but also the supportive and approachable faculty and the fantastic atmosphere among classmates.
ERIC (LECHER) MC GUIRE
MA Philosophy 2009
lives in the United States and works in Indianapolis Public Schools as Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure.
S VIJAYA KUMAR
DCh 1995
lives in India and is Professor of Practice in the Medical Sciences & Technology Department at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Memories of UCD: I am proud to be an alumnus of UCD, where I studied child health under Professor Brendan Drumm.
CONOR LOONEY
BComm 1996
lives in the United States where he is founder and Group CEO at EXO Edge which provides staffing to the US real estate industry. Favourite lecturer: Dick Roche on the origins, challenges and aspirations of the European Union – as relevant today as in the 1990s. Professional highlight: Last year, only seven years after we founded the company, we reached 1,200 employees.
ALAN MOORE
BA 1996
lives in Lithuania and works at Atom Group as Global Development Lead. Favourite lecturers: The late Stu Daltrey. Joe Brady from Geography was a gent and a genuinely inspiring lecturer, Gabriel Cooney was outstanding, as were Barry Raftery, George Eogan and John Bradley. Professional highlight: Hosting and producing television talk show Photochain, that saw me travel the world interviewing legends of world football. Memories of UCD: Winning my first Boxing Colours. Representing the University at four British & Irish University Championships and winning three Golds. ‘The Doc’ telling me to go to the United States on a scholarship for my masters. Love on campus: One romance did lead to marriage; while we split some years later, we’ve remained in touch and good friends.
CIARA O’CALLAGHAN
BCL 1997, DipArb 2004
lives in Ireland. Favourite lecturer: Professor Brady inspired a lifelong interest in Wills and Probate. Professional highlight: Served on the Board of the Property Registration Authority before its merger into Tailte Éireann. Memories of UCD: Roebuck Castle, a haunt for law students. We had our own coffee shop, less intimidating than the wider campus in the first semester; later I met students from all faculties.
BARRY WHELAN
MBS 1998, MSc 2011
lives in Ireland and works at PwC as Partner Advisory – Technology.
DR JOHN JENNINGS
BA 1999, HDipEqualSt 2001
lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: My time in the International Society. I made a lot of friends and got a diverse view of society. When I lived on campus, I met many nice European and American students.