Past Events

UCD Business Alumni, including the Class of 2023, were delighted to reconnect on Sunday, 14 May,  at VOCO Hotel’s rooftop terrace on Singapore’s Orchard Road. This wonderful get-together marked the occasion of Dean of the College of Business, Professor Anthony Brabazon’s attendance at the Kaplan graduation ceremony in Singapore. Guests were also treated to some live Irish music to celebrate the upcoming UCD Festival. It was fantastic to see so many Singapore-based alumni on the night!

See photos from the event here

The UCD Business Alumni team welcomed Hong Kong based alumni to the Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel on Friday, 12 May. Asia based alumni were delighted to reconnect at this special alumni reception hosted by the Dean of the College of Business, Professor Anthony Brabazon, and the Consul General of Ireland, David Costello. This event coincided with the graduation ceremonies from our global campus and our UCD Festival Global Perspectives international series. We were also delighted to welcome the Class of 2023 on the night!

See photos from the event here

Brussels based UCD Alumni and friends gathered at the Irish Embassy in Brussels on 14 March for a reception hosted by the Irish Ambassador to Belgium Kevin Conmy, himself a UCD alumnus.

The event featured speeches from both the Ambassador and Colin Scott, Dean of Social Sciences followed by a panel discussion featuring UCD alumni sharing their experiences of living and working in Brussels.

The reception formed part of a week of events attended by a group of Masters students from the School of Politics and International Relations who were learning about EU policy and governance at EU institutions including the EU Commission and the EU Parliament.

See photos from the event here

The theme of International Women's Day 2023 was 'Embrace Equity'. To celebrate, Dr Joe McGrath, VP for EDI, CoSSL, hosted a conversation between Dr Lydia Foy and her lawyer, Bill Shipsey, UCD Alumni Awardee, human rights activist, and a retired Senior Counsel barrister.

Dr Foy, herself a UCD Alumna, led the legal challenges to the law on gender recognition in Ireland. Her tireless campaign paved the way for further historic social change in Ireland in the decades to follow, and eventually led to the passing of the Gender Recognition Act of 2015, allowing trans people to have their gender recognised in law.

Click here to watch

A Choral Celebration of Christmas returned in all its glory as the award-winning Choral Scholars of University College Dublin performed a programme of festive choral music over three nights under Artistic Director, Desmond Earley, at Newman University Church from 20 December to 22 December.

See photos from the event here

The postponed 40th Reunion of the UCD Engineering Class of 1981 took place on Saturday, 17 December at The Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace. With Prof Mark Rogers, Acting President of UCD, and Prof Aoife Ahern, College Principal and Dean of Engineering, our alumni spent an unforgettable evening reconnecting with their classmates. The reunion also included a private tour of Merrion Street organised by the Department of An Taoiseach.

See photos from the event here

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of graduating from UCD Engineering, the Class of 1992 held an informal reunion on Saturday, 26 November at the UCD University Club, Belfield, organised by alumni Auveen Bell, Conor Riordan and Dave Kirwan. The group enjoyed a wonderful evening catching up with old friends and classmates.

See photos from the event here

On Friday 18 of November in O’Reilly Hall, UCD recognised the stellar achievements of ten of its graduates from across the University at its annual UCD Alumni Awards. These awards celebrate UCD alumni who have made their mark both at home and abroad, showing great drive, leadership, commitment and a desire to make a difference.

We were delighted to be back in person among UCD students, staff, alumni, and friends for the first time in three years and also to include in the celebrations the winners of the UCD Alumni Awards from 2020 and 2021.

This year’s distinguished Alumni Awards winners are: Eimear Lambe, Olympic bronze medallist (Sport); Ciarán Connell and Michael McLaughlin, Co-founders of DecaWave, (Engineering & Architecture); Niall Breslin, Musician, Podcaster, Author, Mental Health Advocate (Social Sciences); Consolata Boyle, Oscar Nominated Costume Designer (Arts and Humanities); Mary Quaney, Group CEO Mainstream Renewable Power (Business); Bill Shipsey S.C., Human Rights Advocate & Retired Barrister (Law); Conrad Burke, Co-Founder Meta VC Partners (Science); Dr Martin J. Tobin, World Renowned Pulmonologist (Research, Innovation and Impact); and Michael Burke, Founder and Executive Chairman Chanelle Pharma (Health and Agricultural Sciences).

See photos from the night or check out the highlights video

UCD Alumni Relations with the support of the Embassy of Ireland, Singapore and local Alumni Chapter Reps hosted a reception at the Irish Ambassador’s residence on Sunday 20th November. Alumni in attendance heard updates from UCD academics; were treated to a music recital and enjoyed delicious food and drinks whilst engaging in some long overdue networking.

See photos from the event or check out the video

The Alumni Relations Team with the support of the San Francisco Alumni Chapter arranged a wonderful reception at the University Club of San Francisco on Wednesday 2nd November. Alumni in attendance enjoyed a discussion featuring philanthropist, venture capitalist, and fellow alumnus John O' Farrell and Professor Andrew Keane, Director of the UCD Energy Institute.

View photos from the event here

To celebrate the milestone Golden and Diamond Jubilee reunions, we were ecstatic to welcome Classes of 1962 and 1972 back to Belfield. Old college friends caught up with one another, took class photos, shared memories and mixed with faculty on this very special occasion. Special guests from the classes included Lochlann Quinn (BComm 1962), Breege O'Donoghue (BComm 1972), Tom Arnold (BAgrSc 1972), and David Donoghue (BA 1972).

View photos from the event here

We were delighted to welcome the Class of 2020 back to campus for their Celebration Reunion. Comedian and UCD alum Fred Cooke kicked off the celebration in O’Reilly Hall by congratulating the class on all of their accomplishments, while class speaker Grace Oladipo inspired her classmates to not be afraid to dive head first into their futures. The celebration was followed by a reception in the new UCD Village, where everyone enjoyed food & drinks and partied till late with DJs, bands and entertainment.

View photos from the event here

UCD Alumni Relations together with UCD alumnus, the Rt Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Vincent Keaveny welcomed alumni to a reception in London's Mansion House to mark Bloomsday.

The Lord Mayor was a fantastic host, welcoming guests and reminiscing on his time as a student of the UCD Sutherland School of Law. Guests enjoyed drinks, canapés, great conversation and a Joycean recital by UCD Ad Astra Scholar Graham Butler Breen.

View photos from the event here

Minnesota-based alumni were delighted to attend a picnic to celebrate the return of the UCD Festival. The gathering took place at Boom Island Park, with the scenic Mississippi River and the Minneapolis skyline in the backdrop. The event was hosted by Chapter Rep Harry Aslesen and attendees enjoyed chats, snacks and yard games, not to mention the opportunity to catch up with classmates and connect with fellow alumni and semester abroad friends.

The UCD Global Centre and the Beijing Alumni Chapter were delighted to host a very special virtual event, featuring author and Joyce enthusiast Robert Grogan. The session discussed UCD’s most famous alumnus James Joyce on Bloomsday - the day depicted in Joyce's novel Ulysses.

Alumni across China came together for this fun and light-hearted webinar giving them an insight into Joyce’s literary masterpiece and offering advice on how best to read it.

UCD Alumni Relations and our Washington D.C. Chapter Rep Sierra Bower hosted a happy hour at Exiles Bar in DC to celebrate the return of the UCD Festival. The group, a mix of alumni and prospective students enjoyed a wonderful evening exchanging information, catching up with old classmates and of course making new friends!

UCD Alumni Relations and our Toronto Chapter Reps hosted a fabulous evening of UCD Festival celebrations and traditional Irish music at Noonan's Bar in Toronto.

The group enjoyed an evening of Irish culture filled with mingling, drinks, finger food, and of course craic agus ceol!

UCD Alumni Relations and our Chicago Chapter Rep Fiona McEntee hosted a happy hour at The Kerryman Pub in Chicago to celebrate the return of the UCD Festival.

The group enjoyed a wonderful evening catching up with old friends and classmates while also making new friends!

UCD Alumni Relations and our France Chapter Reps hosted a wonderful picnic in the courtyard of the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris to celebrate the return of the UCD Festival.

Festivities took place with the backdrop of the “Following Ulysses” exhibition by photographer Deirdre Brennan whose photographic portraits feature images of contemporary Dublin whilst evoking James Joyce's masterpiece.

To celebrate the return of the UCD Festival, our London-based alumni enjoyed The Emerald City Walking Tour hosted by our London Chapter Reps and local guide Tony McDonnell.

The group rediscovered the city they call home as they walked from St Paul's Cathedral to The Royal Opera House, along Fleet Street, taking in tales of Parnell, Wolfe Tone, Goldsmith, Saint Bridget, Yeats & Oscar Wilde.