{"id":7642,"date":"2023-08-30T11:33:05","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T10:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.ucd.ie\/magazine\/?post_type=events&p=7642"},"modified":"2023-09-03T18:29:08","modified_gmt":"2023-09-03T17:29:08","slug":"ucd-festival-2","status":"publish","type":"events","link":"https:\/\/alumni.ucd.ie\/magazine\/events\/ucd-festival-2\/","title":{"rendered":"UCD Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UCD was once again transformed into a festival of arts, science, technology, innovation, discovery and culture in June 2023. Over 20,000 people took a fully immersive step inside the world of UCD for the eighth annual UCD Festival which featured a host of cutting-edge and innovative displays where culture, sport, science and family fun collided, for a free one-day extravaganza. This summer\u2019s offering had 130 free events take place across eight zones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the course of the day, renowned writers graced the stages, sharing their literary thoughts and insights; special guests included Roddy Doyle, Emilie Pine, Elaine Feeney, Lisa McInerney, Nicole Flattery, Karl Geary, Disha Bose, Michael Magee, Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan and literary curator, Rick O\u2019Shea. In the Intel Science and Innovation zone, scientists stepped out of their labs with research and student projects, experiments, interactive displays and workshops to inspire Festival visitors of all ages. Pepper (the humanoid robot in residence) met attendees, while in the Medtronic Engineering and Technology zone, engineering students brought along their inventions and prototypes so Festival goers could play with the latest gadgets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Festival embraced sustainability as a key theme in the expanded Discovery zone, implementing various eco-friendly initiatives and also demonstrating a commitment to minimising its environmental impact with the installation of refill water stations. From Insect Hotel workshops to demonstrations on reducing waste through recycling and composting, to promoting reuse and collaborating with ReCreate for a sustainability creativity area, in leading by example, UCD inspired attendees to adopt similar practices in their own lives, contributing to a more sustainable future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, organisers worked hard to make the Festival inclusive and sensory friendly. In collaboration with Intel and UCD\u2019s EDI committee, sensory friendly spaces and activities were created across the Belfield campus. A number of calm areas with low-level stimulation were available, specifically developed to accommodate neurodivergent attendees. A programme of activities was on offer, including a sensory friendly bus, a silent disco and a neurodiverse friendly screening of The Super Mario Bros<\/em> movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hosted a Science Reunion for the Classes of 1980, 1981, 1983, 1993, 2003 and 2013 on the morning of the Festival in the UCD University Club, with alumni going on to enjoy the Festival and witness the transformation of the UCD College of Science. A big first for the Festival in 2023 was the inaugural Michael Byrne Memorial Run, which preceded the day\u2019s events. In honour of the University\u2019s dear friend \u2018Old Man Belfield\u2019 who sadly passed away in January 2021, it was the first charity run to be held on the new UCD Athletics track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Festival closed on Sunday night with a spectacular concert featuring American jazz and blues legends from The Delta Blues Project in collaboration with the RT\u00c9 Concert Orchestra with guest MC, Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman. A huge thank you to staff and student volunteers for sharing their passion for what they do, and to all our Festival visitors who helped make this a brilliant day. The UCD Festival wouldn\u2019t be possible without the generous support of pillar partners Intel and Medtronic and Festival sponsor AIB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the Delta Blues Project concert, as part of the closing of UCD Festival 2023, guitarist and vocalist, Jacqueline \u2018Jaxx\u2019 Nassar, Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, and acclaimed Delta Blues musician Anthony \u2018Big A\u2019 Sherrod, and Professor Orla Feely, UCD President<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Hands-on fun with UCD Archaeology<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A Festival attendee adapts the programme to stay in the shade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Festival audience enjoys an event at UCD Library.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Younger attendees enjoy a performance at Buskers Corner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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UCD mascot, JJ the Swan, takes a break with UCD Festival volunteers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Children at one of the sensory spaces at the Festival.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mini-scientists with Phil Smith at the Intel Science and Innovation Zone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rick O\u2019Shea, Elaine Feeney, Chandrika NarayananMohan and Karl Gerry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Roddy Doyle In Conversation at \u2018Working Class Greats\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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D\u00f3nal Lunny performs on the Main Stage with students of UCD Traditional Music Practices.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Medtronic staff with Lenny the Lion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Crossing the line at the inaugural UCD Michael Byrne Memorial Run, a fundraising event held at the new UCD Athletics track.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

UCD was once again transformed into a festival of arts, science, technology, innovation, discovery and culture in June 2023. Over 20,000 people took a fully immersive step inside the world of UCD for the eighth annual UCD Festival which featured a host of cutting-edge and innovative displays where culture, sport, science and family fun collided,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":7656,"template":"","event_categories":[166],"class_list":["post-7642","events","type-events","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","event_categories-166"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nUCD Festival - 2023 Alumni Relations - UCD Connections<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/alumni.ucd.ie\/magazine\/events\/ucd-festival-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UCD Festival - 2023 Alumni Relations - UCD Connections\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"UCD was once again transformed into a festival of arts, science, technology, innovation, discovery and culture in June 2023. 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