University College Dublin

Official source of news from University College Dublin (UCD) - Ireland's Global University. Est. 1854.

One of Europe's leading research-intensive universities

[UCD Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science @ucd_sphpss]

A group of our final year BSc Physiotherapy students recently completed the IRFU SAFE Level 2 course at the Aviva Stadium. This course - Standard Approach to Field Emergencies in Rugby - is to train physiotherapists, medical practitioners and allied health professionals in the immediate management of significant trauma or medical emergencies on the rugby pitch, and complements the Sports Physiotherapy module that our students complete in Year 4 of the BSc programme. Thanks to Dr John Ryan and the IRFU team for a really valuable and informative day🏉

[Gaeltacht UCD, University College Dublin @ucdgaeltacht]

Ceiliúradh ar "Nollaig na mBan". Má tá sé mar rún agat do chuid Gaeilge a usáid níos minicí i 2026, cur tús led' rún amárach. Beidh cuid dínn ag teacht le céile do chaife gasta (le Gaeilge), 10.30 r.n., Club na hOllscoile.

[UCD GAA CLUB @UCDGAA]

Great score from @ucddublin student David Purcell 👏👏👏👏

[Orla Feely @OrlaFeely]

My favourite walk for a New Year’s morning. Happy New Year to all, and looking forward in @ucddublin to a year of learning, discovery and making a difference.

[Orla Feely @OrlaFeely]

A very merry Christmas to all @ucddublin students, staff, alumni, partners and friends. Wishing you a happy and restful holiday, and all the best for 2026.

[University College Dublin @ucddublin]

Full story: https://t.co/dZCgMuv34E

[University College Dublin @ucddublin]

The story of Ireland’s peatlands are being told through a new series of illustrated beer mats celebrating the biodiversity and history preserved by Irish’s bogs.

Developed by Dr Shane McGuinness, Climate Fellow at the UCD Earth Institute, and colleagues from University College Cork, in collaboration with artist Eleanor Brayden, the beer mats feature bold artwork and bite-sized facts about Ireland’s unique peatland heritage.

Ancient artefacts such as the Brockagh Bronze Age axe and the Ralaghan figurine sit alongside ecological treasures including the carnivorous sundew plant and Devil’s Matchstick lichen.

Each mat also includes a QR code linking to further stories, images and research insights on Ireland’s peatlands.

“While peatlands have been seen as wastelands or a source of fuel in the past, they’re becoming increasingly valued for climate action, biodiversity and water,” he said.

"We’re delighted to be bringing this message to an unconventional venue – giving the public a snapshot of the wealth and wonder of Ireland’s peatlands during the festive season,” said Dr McGuinnes.

[UCD Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science @ucd_sphpss]

UCD Physiotherapy is 70! 🥳
For the past seven decades, we have been advancing movement science, strengthening clinical care, and educating physiotherapists who continue to excel across healthcare settings in Ireland and internationally.
To celebrate our 70th anniversary, we hosted an event at the UCD University Club where current and former staff, students, alumni, industry colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate the last 70 years and look forward to the future. Read more at https://t.co/YuVx213r0d

@ucddublin @UCD_CHAS @ucdsportsclubs @UCD_HPG @Blake_Cath @t_tcusack @CACorish @EamonnDelahunt @OliveLennon1 @caitrionacunn @KeithMSmart @bronafullen @CaulfieldBrian @_ISCP_ @MaryOKeeffe007 @myucd @GradUcd @UCDGS @UCDALUMNI @ucd_global

[Dublin City Heritage Office @heritage_dublin]

Join us on Fri 23rd Jan in the City Assembly House (58 South William St) for a celebration of @aearls’s, ‘Love in the Lav’! She will be joined in discussion by @ParaicKerrigan (@ucddublin) & Tom Hulme (@QUBelfast)

Tickets are free and available here - https://t.co/MlBWiwtEhh

[University College Dublin @ucddublin]

Full story: https://t.co/HdAu9AJdaO

[University College Dublin @ucddublin]

👨‍🌾💰 Many congratulations to Assistant Professor Dimitrios Argyropoulos, who has secured €6.5m in Horizon Europe-backed funding for the UCD-led AI project AGROBOOST.

Leveraging advanced robotics, AI, and augmented reality, the project aims to modernise agriculture, combat labour shortages, and prioritise worker safety.

This funding will assist AGROBOOST in enhancing farm safety, intelligence, and appeal, particularly for women, youth, and workers with disabilities. The aim is to reduce workplace accidents by 30% and to demonstrate improved inclusivity among those pursuing farming careers.

Dr Argyropoulos, from the UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, will lead the multi-disciplinary European project involving 18 partners.

🗣️ “AGROBOOST embraces a methodology rooted in scientific excellence, social inclusivity, and measurable impact, prioritising the safety and appeal of agricultural work by harnessing robotics, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, automation and digitalisation while simultaneously aiming for significant reductions in workplace accidents, environmental footprint, and production costs."
- Dr Dimitrios Argyropoulos

It will seek to address highly challenging agricultural tasks directly through six pilot campaigns. These include:

🍄 Mushroom selective harvesting (Ireland) using fully autonomous, vision-guided robots
🤖 Intelligent Autonomous Robotic System for Harvesting of Strawberries Crops (UK) utilising a gamified Virtual Reality (VR) environment for training and telepresence
🍎 Orchard tree pruning and flower thinning (Portugal) leveraging AI-based robotic systems
🌱 Mechanical Autonomous Selective Weeding (Greece) in organic vegetable farming
🐓 Autonomous Management of Poultry Production, Health and Welfare (Belgium) using combined fixed and mobile robotic platforms
🍷 Automated Work on the Ground in Steep Vineyards (Switzerland), exploring lightweight, morphing compliant robots to reduce human intervention in challenging terrain

Another part of the project is €480,000 in financial support to integrate external innovation from third parties, such as SMEs, startups, and research groups, through two open funding calls, providing up to €60,000 to each of the planned eight recipients.

[UCD Conway Institute @UCD_Conway]

So well deserved! Delighted that Lorna Donlon has been recognised by the prestigious @TheRDS for her incredible work 🧵🔬🦠#cutfromthesamecloth @Researchirel
https://t.co/9dWE1Nzcia

[UCD Politics and International Relations @ucdpolitics]

Why does it seem like good government is so hard to deliver? A new module for our students tackled these questions by bringing policy makers and shapers into the classroom.

More details about the guests and module: https://t.co/GIftdG1I2v

@ucddublin @ucdsocscilaw

[UCD Sport @ucdsportsclubs]

🌟 UCD Athletes Past and Present Shine at European Cross Country Championships 🌟

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/EiU0slCqNn

@ucddublin athletes played a key role at the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal, as Ireland claimed a historic senior men’s team silver - their first podium finish in 25 years - and U23 team gold. 🥈🥇

UCD alumnus and former @ucdadastracadmy Elite Sport Scholar Darragh McElhinney, along with current Elite Sport scholars Jonas Stafford and Lughaidh Mallon, were among the medal winner!

[UCD Economics @EconomicsUCD]

🎓 Warm congratulations Dr @KillianCarroll_ on successfully completing your PhD! This achievement reflects your hard work, dedication, and academic excellence. All of us at the School of Economics wish you every success in the next chapter of your career. 🎉

[University College Dublin @ucddublin]

Read the full story here: https://t.co/4s8MZTFgON

[University College Dublin @ucddublin]

⛵️🏆 She’s on fire! Congratulations to UCD Ad Astra Academy sailing ace Eve McMahon on being named “Rising Star” at the Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards.

The Howth native and BComm student capped an incredible 2025, winning Gold at the LA Sailing Grand Slam, Bronze at the ILCA6 World Championships, and making history as the first Irish female sailor to medal at a senior world championship.

McMahon also became the first Irish sailor to reach the number one spot in the World Sailing rankings, continuing a remarkable streak that includes two U21 world titles and representing Ireland at the Paris Olympics.

Her recognition at the Olympic Sport Awards celebrates not just her results, but the dedication, skill, and consistency that make her one of Ireland’s brightest rising stars in sport.

[Irish Universities Assoc. @IUAofficial]

"You might not see many people around you going to university, and it might feel like it’s not meant for someone like you, but it is" - Aisling studied Law with Politics at UCD, with her path to college supported by the HEAR scheme.
Read Aisling's story👇
https://t.co/qxmo3AmvcF

[University College Dublin @ucddublin]

Full story: https://t.co/fTH1GQXs9r

[University College Dublin @ucddublin]

💙💛 Many congratulations and a warm welcome to Oisín Fagan, who has been named by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon as UCD’s Writer in Residence for 2026.

Fagan, who grew up in Co. Meath, has published three books: the short story collection Hostages (2016), and the novels Nobber (2019) and Eden’s Shore (2025).

Nobber was longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize, shortlisted for the Bollinger Everyman Woodhouse Prize, and named a Book of the Year by The Guardian.

Eden’s Shore was named by The Sunday Times as a book of the year.

“This honour has come at a crucial time in both my writing life and my personal life, and I plan to use this opportunity to complete and hone a draft of my third novel,” said Fagan of the residency.

“I am looking forward to so much this year: events with other writers, editors, academics and publishers across different genres and disciplines; working and collaborating with members of staff on campus – but, most of all, I am excited to help students get in touch with their own voice and build confidence in their own perspective as writers.”

The residency is worth €30,000 and includes access to a dedicated campus workspace. Fagan will take up the position in early 2026.

Oisín succeeds the outgoing Writer-in-Residence, Annemarie Ní Churreáin, whose second collection of poems, Hymn to All the Restless Girls, was recently published by The Gallery Press.