2007 MARCH University College Dublin Celebrating the past, creating the future

www.ucd.ie/ucdtoday

Professor Claire O'Connell Dr Brendan Belinda McKeon Catherine Godson speaks to Williams tells and Professor talks to Danielle Professor Louise Holden Anthony Roche Barron about William Hall what impact discuss The research into about urban sprawl Cambridge diabetic preparing for has for Dublin Companion to kidney a potential Brian Friel disease pandemic flu outbreak 3 7 8 12 Gateway to learning

Five international architecture firms have been shortlisted for the UCD Gateway Project. The shortlist was chosen from an initial entry of 62 firms drawn from throughout the world and The calibre of global interest reflects the scale and prestige of the competition. the final winner will be announced in May/June 2007.

The brief to the five shortlisted firms is to develop a mixed-use design to include cultural, leisure, The firms include two from the UK, two from Germany, and one from Norway. These world-leading academic, residential, hospitality, retail and commercial functions. All the architects have visited the organisations have been responsible for many outstanding examples of modern architecture such as campus. They will now develop designs that take into account the core research and teaching of the those shown below. See page 2 for a key to these images. university alongside environmental sustainability and beauty in structure and function.

inside

3 Diabetes and kidney disease what’sProfessor Catherine Godson talks to Farewell to the Terrace - Danielle Barron about how a multidisciplinary approach to diabetic kidney disease may offer hope for thousands of sufferers look forward to the Gateway 7 Preparing for the flu Professor William Hall speaks to Claire There’s an interesting juxtaposition between the pending The sale of Earlsfort Terrace to the State for the specific purpose of O'Connell about the vital importance of announcement of the architectural competition for the Gateway redeveloping the National Concert Hall is the most appropriate use preparing for a potential pandemic flu outbreak project on the Belfield campus and the final departure from of this wonderful building and well-positioned site. Its location Earlsfort Terrace. ensures good accessibility for all concert-goers wherever they live. Its use as a music and entertainment venue fulfils a continuity dating 8 The long commute Originally built as an exhibition palace and winter garden for the back to the 1860s. Over the decades - whether in the hands of the Dr Brendan Williams tells Louise Holden about great exhibition of 1865, Earlsfort Terrace was used as an exhibition university, the NCH, private owners or the government - it has the implications of urban sprawl in Dublin and concert venue until its transfer via the Commissioners of Public played host to marvellous performances. From Count John Works to the Royal University of Ireland in 1883 and subsequently McCormack concerts, to a young Cyril Cusack playing Jack Worthing became home to University College Dublin in 1908. for DramSoc’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest, to Heads of School wall-chart 10-11 Maeve Binchy's quips at L&H debates. Wallchart of the heads of Converting the building for university purposes involved a number of interesting features. ...“it will be necessary to have two separate colleges and schools Of course it is nostalgic to leave a place with so much history but it entrances (one for males and one for females) to the Examination is just another step in the UCD legacy. portion of the Buildings” suggested a submission from the RUI senate 12 Friel's Companion to the Board of Works. The original concert hall became the Great The final move from Earlsfort Terrace into new facilities on the Professor Anthony Roche discusses Hall and was used for examinations, ceremonial occasions and Belfield campus completes the vision that began over 70 years ago. his new book, The Cambridge Companion to conferrals as well as for concerts. Among those awarded with The timely campus development plan reflects the need to take honorary degrees in music in the Great Hall were Princess modern life into account. In order to draw together the different Brian Friel with Belinda McKeon (later Queen) Alexandra. In 1885 and the first Doctor of Music was functions of this modern university, the plan sets out academic, awarded to another woman, Annie Patterson, one of the founders of environmental, social, innovation and residential goals. Music at UCD the Féis Ceoil. An Italian style campanile was constructed to disguise 18 The Gateway and the wider Campus Development Plan give this Choral Scholars and Sinfonia the building's ventilation shaft and the front façade was faced with Dungannon sandstone. The three allegorical stone figures of Hibernia, generation an opportunity to stamp our own mark on the landscape. continue UCD’s musical tradition Industry and Commerce were removed from the pediment and We will craft an iconic image of 21st century UCD that blends the remained propped against a back wall until the 1950s. In 1987 they aesthetic with the functional. We can look forward to benefiting UCD Sports were instated in a small garden along Dame Street, commemorating from the work done in the modern facilities for students, staff and 19 the wider community. In creating a living space that focuses on Get in Gear at UCD Dublin's millennium but they have subsequently been moved again because of their badly-weathered condition. interaction between people, we are presented with an opportunity to take hold of our environment, to solve the modern problems of cars The expansion of UCD under the vision of Dr Denis Coffey, president and noise and to build something sustainable and beautiful for from 1908 to 1940, led to the beginning of land acquisition for what future generations. is now the Belfield Campus. Belfield House on 44 acres was bought in 1933, Ardmore on 20 acres was bought by the government in The move from the Terrace will not go unmarked. From Thursday 17 1948 and was subsequently swapped for Montrose (now RTE). to Sunday 20 May 2007 a programme of events will take place in the Whiteoaks on 34 acres was bought in 1949 and Merville in 1951. Terrace, the Iveagh Gardens and Newman House. The calendar will Woodview, Belgrove and Thornfield were all purchased in the 50s and shortly be published on the UCD website but anyone with a good Roebuck Grove and Castle during the 60s. Richview on 11 acres and idea for an event or activity is welcome to get in touch. Rosemount on 6.5 acres were bought in 1980/81. Added to other Eilis O’Brien purchased parcels of land the entire campus comprises over 300 Director of Communications acres (121 hectares).

Contributors: Produced by: Cover Image: Carolina Amador, Suzanne Bailey, Eilis O’Brien, Claire Percy, Dominic Martella, On the front cover, clockwise from left to right: Danielle Barron, Deborah Butler, Marc Caball, Rose Cotter and Louise Murphy 1. Bergen School of Art and Design Raquel Cabral, Catherine Carey, James Carroll, Design: by Snøhetta Architects Brian Caulfield, Peter Clinch, Sheila Convery, 1. 2. 3. Ciaran Crilly, Terry Dolan, Orla Donoghue, Loman Cusack Design 2. Jubilee Campus, University of Nottingham Paul Durcan, Demond Earley, Catherine Edlin, Print: by Hopkins Architects Alice Feldman, Catherine Godson, Anne-Marie eBrook 3. Harvard University - Allston Science Complex Harvey, William Hall, Louise Holden, Thanks to: by Behnisch Architekten Emma Kavanagh, Sinead Kelly, Carmel Kissane, Padraic Conway, JP Donnelly, Catherine Godson, Ann Lavan, Brendan Loftus, Ita McGuigan, Maurice Manning, Cliona de Bhaldraithe Marsh, 4. BMW Headquarters in Leipzig 4. 5. Belinda McKeon, Christoph Muller, Damien McLoughlin, Patrick Wall by Zaha Hadid Architects Clar Ni Bhuachalla, Sandra Noonan, Valerie Norton, Ciarán Ó Con Cheanain, In the compilation of this publication, 5. Lufthansa Aviation Centre David O'Connor, Claire O'Connell, Ronan every care has been taken to ensure accuracy. by Ingenhoven Architects O'Dowd, Elaine Quinn, Anthony Roche, Any errors or omissions should be brought to the Bronwyn Salmon, Eileen Scott, Alison Scott attention of UCD University Relations Deeny, Mark Simpson, Cormac Taylor, ([email protected]). We also welcome Cathy Timlin, Micéal Whelan, Brendan Williams your suggestions for articles in future editions. This publication is also available online at www.ucd.ie/ucdtoday

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Diagnosing diabetic kidney disease Professor Catherine Godson talks to Danielle Barron (BSc 2005) about how a multidisciplinary approach to diabetic kidney disease research may offer hope for thousands of sufferers.

Professor Catherine Godson of the UCD Furthermore, increasing numbers of younger Such gene manipulation may involve inhibiting Conway Institute and School of Medicine people are now developing diabetes, whereas the function of a particular gene, or even and Medical Science is Director of the UCD traditionally it was seen as a disease affecting switching on beneficial genes. Expression of Diabetes Research Centre (DRC) that was those over 40 years of age. Professor Godson particular genes may also be linked with disease established in August of last year. Seen as a says this makes understanding the disease and severity, adds Professor Godson. major undertaking, the centre is the first of its mechanisms even more crucial. Diagnostic flags for the development of the its kind in Ireland, and has recently received Of those who suffer from the condition, disease, known as early markers, are now being major funding from Science Foundation some 25%-35% will go on to develop identified. “Currently we are not able to Ireland. diabetic kidney disease, also known as diabetic diagnose it until it is quite well developed. nephropathy. This is one of the most serious If we could find even earlier markers, then we The Û7 million programme is truly a health complications of diabetes, and is the might be able to intervene quicker or indeed multidisciplinary effort, involving collaborations main cause of end-stage renal disease, for find a therapeutic intervention that may be between academic researchers, clinician which patients will require dialysis, or even more effective if introduced at an earlier stage,” investigators and also industry partners in an transplantation. Professor Godson says. For this reason, the attempt to elucidate the molecular researchers work closely with clinical specialists mechanisms of this increasingly prevalent In Professor Godson’s lab, at the Mater Hospital and other hospitals disease, with the ultimate goal of developing around the country. effective and targeted therapeutics. Those the very latest techniques working with Professor Godson include According to Godson, this is basic biomolecular Professor Finian Martin, Dr Madeline Murphy, in molecular cell biology research with real clinical consequences, and Dr John Crean and Dr Derek Brazil of the not just for diabetic nephropathy. “When you Conway Institute and Professor Jochen Prehn are being utilised as part of do work that is this fundamental, many of your from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. a unique multidisciplinary findings can be applied to other diseases. For example, nephropathy is a fibrotic disorder, “Diabetes is obviously a major problem globally approach in an attempt to which could mean molecules that we discover and in Ireland it consumes about 10% of the will also be important in lung or liver fibrosis, total healthcare spend. The economic costs as understand the cellular and to date that has proved to be the case.” well as the human costs are enormous,” events that make a person As well as receiving funding from SFI, the explains Professor Godson. susceptible to diabetic project is also supported by biopharma industry According to Professor Godson, it is generally partners including Wyeth investigators in thought that diabetes is primarily a disease nephropathy. Cambridge Massachusetts. According to affecting overweight people in developed Godson, such synergistic collaborations at the research/industry interface allow all angles to countries. This is a popular misconception. “Diabetic kidney disease frequently reflects the be covered when developing novel treatments In fact, diabetes is a major problem within length of time somebody has had diabetes. The for disease and improved diagnostic tools. emerging economies such as China and India. longer they have had diabetes, the greater their chance of developing it,” Professor Godson “This is an ‘open innovation’ model in that it is “The rates are really high, and getting higher. explains. Diabetic nephropathy also reflects the convergence of many of the complicating a collaborative research project. We don’t just There is a strong ethnic component to the take our research to a certain stage and then susceptibility of people to the disease,” factors of diabetes, such as high blood pressure and elevated blood glucose. hand it over. It’s an iterative process where we she says. feed data to them and they feed their data to In Professor Godson’s lab, the very latest us and it's sort of a virtual circle of techniques in molecular cell biology are being progression,” she explains. utilised as part of a unique multidisciplinary approach in an attempt to understand the In the Government’s Strategy for Science cellular events that make a person susceptible Technology and Innovation 2006-2013 to diabetic nephropathy. announced last summer, health research was particularly acknowledged as an area of “We are looking at the initiation, progression research with the potential to contribute and potential regression of diabetic significantly to Ireland's social and economic nephropathy,” she says. “Some people, progress, and diabetes was earmarked as a betes despite very poor management of their national research priority. blood pressure and blood glucose levels, will not develop diabetic nephropathy, Another national priority emphasised in the and others, who are very well- strategy was the doubling of Ireland’s annual managed, do, so there is clearly a PhD output. This initial funding will allow the genetic component involved.” DRC to fund four PhD candidates, says Professor Godson. “However we would “We are looking at what genes anticipate that this number will grow as the are switched on in the programme develops and we would be able diabetic kidney, how these to provide specialised training and PhD genes contribute to the programmes in diabetes together with other development of investigators at the Conway Institute and other diabetic nephropathy sites nationally.” and end-stage renal disease, and having Professor Godson and her colleagues have identified them and been investigating diabetic nephropathy at the studying their molecular level for almost ten years now with function, finding funding from the Health Research Board and out is there Wellcome Trust, and she says that the latest anything grant will enable her team to take their we can do.” research to the next level. “This really gives us the opportunity to accelerate the progress of translating our research from the bench to the bedside,” Professor Godson says. Danielle Barron (BSc 2005) is a freelance national science journalist.

Prof Catherine Godson Dia

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Peter Sutherland gives Û4 million for new Law School at UCD Peter Sutherland SC has made a major with the humanities, social sciences and criminal law by the Department of Justice and leadership gift of Û4 million towards the business. It will facilitate the development of Law Reform. development of a new Law School for UCD. 4th level legal education and research. It will This follows the recent inauguration of also increase our capacity in Continuing Mr Peter Sutherland is chairman of BP Professor Imelda Maher as the Sutherland Professional Education in key areas such as (the largest company in the world outside Chair of European Law at UCD. European law, commercial law, competition the United States) and of Goldman Sachs law and intellectual property rights, as well International. He is former chairman of AIB The gift will be a significant factor in raising as the development of new programmes in Group. He currently serves on the boards of additional funds from Government and other Investor AB and The Royal Bank of Scotland Û humanitarian law and public international law.” sources for the 20 million development Group plc. In response to the donation, the President of The UCD School of Law has 30 full time staff, He was Attorney General between 1981 and UCD Dr Hugh Brady said: “In recent years the and over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate 1984, EC Commissioner responsible for Peter Sutherland SC, UCD School of Law has created new degrees students. Its long history has influenced the Competition Policy between 1985 and 1989, Chairman of BP and of that combine law with business, politics, emergence of the Irish State as most Attorneys Goldman Sachs Director General of GATT between 1993 and economics and history, reflecting the dynamic General and Superior Court justices along with International 1995 and then the first Director General of the relationship between law and commerce, numerous cabinet ministers and business World Trade Organisation. society and public policy. leaders have been UCD law graduates. The School also includes the Institute of “Peter Sutherland is one of our most Criminology. Mr Sutherland is a former tutor and visiting distinguished alumni. His generosity will enable professor at UCD. During his undergraduate us to transform the undergraduate experience The School has recently been awarded the years he played for and captained UCD rugby of our law students. It will enhance the linkages contract for the codification of Ireland’s club and is still a keen supporter of the team. One in four prisoners back in jail within a year

A new UCD study based on almost 20,000 Institute of Criminology. The study was in crime (13%), public order (10%), sex crimes According to Professor Ian O’Donnell, prisoner releases, shows that more than collaboration with the University of Missouri, (2%) and other offences (13%). Over half spent “successful reintegration of ex-prisoners is 25% are back in jail within one year and St Louis and was funded by the Irish Research less than three months in confinement. important for maintaining public safety and nearly 50% within four years. This is the Council for Humanities and Social Sciences and community vitality, reducing the costly first major study into re-offending in Ireland supported by the Irish Prison Service. Rates of recidivism were shown to be strikingly expansion of the criminal justice system, and and it provides a benchmark against which high for prisoners who served jail terms for minimising the collateral damage that ensues to measure the success of the Irish prison The research reveals that recidivism defaulting on a fine with 85% returning to when ex-prisoners remain at the margins of reform system. (re-offending) rates were highest among single, prison at some stage during the follow-up society. For many years this crucial piece of unemployed, men under 30 years of age with period. Almost half of all property crime information was missing from the criminal The research team that included Professor Eric previous prison sentences. The crimes for which offenders were back in prison with 36 months justice jigsaw.” Baumer and Ms Nicola Hughes was led by they had been imprisoned were: violence (27%), of release. Professor Ian O’Donnell, Director of the UCD motoring offences (22%), drugs (13%), property UCD to be partner Clinical Psychology in European Doctorates Nutrigenomics In December, Doctoral Degrees in Clinical Psychology were awarded at UCD. This is only the fifth time such degrees have been Organisation conferred at the university. The awards qualify the recipients to take up positions as UCD will soon become a partner in NuGO, Professor Mike Gibney, of the UCD School of clinical psychologists with their sponsoring The European Nutrigenomics Organisation. Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine agencies in the HSE and St. John of God NuGO, a network of excellence, is funded by will have responsibility for two areas of NuGO. Services. the European Commission Research One is the development of “metabolomics”, Directorate General. the new science of metabolic “fingerprinting”. Dr Jennifer Hayes (pictured here) won The second is commercialisation. the Thérèse Brady Medal, which is awarded Nutrigenomics is often referred to as for excellence in clinical sensitivity personalised nutrition and has been identified The commercialisation team aims to promote as a strategic method of preventing diet-related and foster commercial activity within the throughout the research thesis. diseases. It is also an important emerging Network and with industry. Some of the business area. ambitious plans for commercialisation include; The programme was developed by the creation of a non-profit company to provide Professor Alan Carr and Professor Patricia The NuGO project aims to train European consultancy and training services in Noonan Walsh in collaboration with scientists to use post-genomic technologies in nutrigenomics to industry, to be established in colleagues in the UCD School of Psychology. nutrition research, to develop and integrate 2008. Current projects include the marketing genomic technologies for the benefit of and sale of the first online e-learning module in Dr Jennifer Hayes European nutritional science. It also hopes to 'Polymorphisms and Responsiveness to Diet’. facilitate the application of these technologies Two entrepreneurship workshops will be held in in nutritional research world-wide, and to March and May for NuGO members. For further create a world-leading virtual centre of information visit www.nugo.org excellence in nutrigenomics.

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Migration & Developing World Citizenship Research Research Initiative

With the new Developing World Research At the launch, Minister of State Conor Lenihan Initiative, scholars from the UCD Urban T.D. reiterated this, saying that the Initiative at UCD Institute Ireland are responding to a and Irish Aid share the common aim of growing commitment by the Irish public to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The dynamics of contemporary migration employment, crime, civic and political address issues of poverty and global justice. The goals provide a roadmap for international have produced an exciting and prolific mobilisation and information provision. The initiative, led by UCD Urban Institute development cooperation up to 2015 and research scene throughout Europe. Small grants to UCD PhD students will also Director Professor Eugene O'Brien, was inform Ireland’s approach to development However, misconceptions, conflicts of be provided. launched in December by Minister of State issues. interest and poor relations between Conor Lenihan, T.D. university researchers, policy-makers and The advisory board is drawn from the Equality He emphasised that the government’s civic organisations undermine effective Authority, Department of Justice, Institute for Research work from diverse fields is brought recently published White Paper on Irish Aid cross-sector collaboration. Advocates of Public Administration, Dublin Bus, the together in the Initiative: energy & natural sets out clear priorities for the work of the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) argue that the Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Migrant resources; health, trade, markets and agency and it recognises that a deeper level of quality of these working relationships is the Rights Centre Ireland, and a cross-sector expert governance; infrastructure, water & sanitation, co-operation between the higher education key to the successful transition to a roundtable has been established to lead the education; and food security & livelihoods. sector and Irish Aid is required, such that the knowledge society. development of an EBP model. A work plan is in knowledge base developed by higher education place to develop standards for immigration- In their brochure that was also launched researchers can inform policy and practice Under the auspices of the Migration and focused policy research and guide the in December, the founders outline their both in Ireland and internationally. Citizenship Research Initiative (MCRI) a unique implementation of best practice in Ireland. belief that a comprehensive, holistic and project was launched at the Royal Irish cross-sectoral approach is crucial in bringing Academy in January to address the ‘research- The MCRI is a multi-disciplinary, about a real and sustainable reduction in policy divide’ in the areas of immigration and cross-university and cross-sector research poverty in the developing world. integration, and to cultivate effective infrastructure supporting research in partnerships. Funded by the IRCHSS and led by immigration and integration, and related social Pictured (l-r) at the launch of the Developing World Research Initiative: Prof Eugene O’Brien, Director UCD Urban Institute Ireland; Conor Lenihan, T.D. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Prof Brigid Laffan, Principal of UCD College Dr Alice Feldman of the UCD School of and institutional impacts. Comprised of UCD of Humans Sciences; Dr Padraic Conway, Vice-President for University Relations Sociology and Dr Mary Gilmartin of the UCD staff and postgraduates and affiliates from Irish School of Geography, Planning & Environmental academic, civic and statutory sectors, it Policy, the project will involve public lectures, currently organises large-scale projects on civic cross-sector training workshops, and working mobilisation, community development and papers. Twelve seed projects are also planned in integration among ‘new Irish communities’. which academics from UCD, UCC, UL and DCU, UCD’s new M.Soc.Sc. in Race, Ethnicity and along with civic organisations, will explore the Migration begins in September 2007. dynamics of integration in education, language,

Mr Enda McDermott presents Prof Niall O'Higgins with copies of over 250 of his published papers at his Pictured (l-r), Marie Williams, Project Coordinator and Co-Directors Dr Alice Feldman, Festschrift Dinner in O'Reilly Hall UCD School of Sociology; Dr Mary Gilmartin, School of Geography, Planning and Environment

Bill Bryson, American author and Chancellor of Durham University, speaking to the UCD Literary and Historical Society. He received a James Joyce award from the society.

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Quare spake at UCD

Irish people speak a distinctive form of vowels (‘Pawked my caw’). International Among the guest speakers were Professor Words to watch English, known as Hiberno-English. Professor interest in Hiberno-English is growing, matched Markku Filppula of University of Joensuu and Eejit Silly person Terry Dolan of the UCD School of English by an increasing sense of linguistic pride in its Dr Karen Corrigan of University of Newcastle, (more affectionate than idiot) and Drama has been teaching it in UCD since native speakers. Patronising terms like brogue both of whom are UCD doctorates. They spoke 1978 and giving lectures about it on four and blarney are a thing of the past. These about the linguistic consequences of the Give out Scold continents. He's been all over this country changes have been recorded recently in contact between the Irish and English languages Culchie Country bumpkin collecting words and phrases - cute hoor, Professor Dolan’s Dictionary of Hiberno-English in Ireland, north and south. Dr Kevin McCafferty making strange, oxter, falling out of her (2006) and in the 1920s by a former President of University of Bergen concentrated on the Atchiko Ill-mannered lout standing, pishogues, gossoons, foostering, of UCD, Professor J J Hogan, in his book The historical development of Northern Hiberno- Segocia Old friend and the like, all pronounced with Irish English Language in Ireland. English. Dr Andrew Breeze of University of Gurrier Thug vowels and consonants, especially words Navarra spoke about Medieval Hiberno-English To celebrate the growing significance of with ‘th'. ‘These and those' become ‘dese words. Three speakers based in Ireland (Dr Anne Amadán Buffoon Hiberno-English, Professor Dolan and and dose’. O'Keeffe, from UL, Dr Jeffrey Kallen of TCD Dr Carolina Amador Moreno organised a series Jackeen Self-assertive Dubliner and Dr John Kirk of QUB) spoke about current The language is changing fast. Rural and of lectures by international specialists in with pro-British leanings spoken and written Hiberno-English which has religious words are disappearing, though hames Hiberno-English. The fact that Hiberno-English been gathered into two important corpora: and yoke survive. Global English is infiltrating, attracts researchers from Spain, Finland, the Limerick Corpus of Irish English, and the nuanced by Irish vowels and consonants. Young Norway, Germany, Japan, Britain, and the USA, ICE-Ireland corpus. females want freedom from Old Ireland and indicates that the English spoken in Ireland is a have invented a new form of Hiberno-English topic that lends itself to linguistic analysis from known as Dawt, full of affected and infected many different perspectives. University-wide interest in the Irish Language

Ó bunaíodh Bord na Gaeilge i 1996, tá ról Division, I also had regular contact with the Bord actively sought feedback from the wider Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics with lárnach ag an mBord i gcur chun cinn na Irish speaking farming community in the University community to assist in this process. the relevant teaching materials for the Irish Gaeilge i UCD. Labhair Ciarán Ó Con Rath Cairn Gaeltacht in County Meath”. One of the key ideas which emerged from a language elective at ab initio level which was Cheanainn (BA 2002, MA 2004, MLitt 2005) workshop held, 15 December 2006, was the offered under the Horizons programme in le cathaoirleach an Bhoird, an tOllamh This interest was nurtured by the establishment January 2007 (the Bord has been providing Michael Doherty faoina shuim féin sa teanga of Bord na Gaeilge in 1996 which has supported I measc na moltaí tá an courses at this level since 1997). It also agus a bhfuil bainte amach acu le deich and further developed UCD's Irish language fhéidireacht creidmheasanna a continues to support the Diploma in Applied mbliana anuas. speaking community. According to Professor bhronnadh ar mhic léinn a Irish as well as the MA, ‘Scríobh agus Cumarsáid Doherty “there has been a growing demand for dhéanann obair chun an teanga a na Gaeilge’. With his family roots in the Inishowen Irish within the University. From 2000 to the chur chun cinn agus breis forbartha Peninsula Co. Donegal and in Derry city, present, there has been a 135% increase in the Professor Doherty hopes that Bord na Gaeilge i réimse na ríomhchumarsáide. Professor Michael Doherty's first encounter number of students and staff enrolling for Irish can build on the many successful projects the with the Irish language occurred when he was courses with in excess of 500 enrolments per need to tap into the interest in the language Bord has initiated to date and continue to nine years old. “My grandfather was originally academic year at present. The increase is also that was “bubbling under the surface”. As UCD explore new possibilities for the promotion of from Clonmany in the west of the peninsula reflected in the interest in the Cultural and is now a multicultural university with an the Irish language in UCD. and although he didn't speak Irish, I remember Gaeltacht Courses offered by Bord na Gaeilge”. increasing number of international students Prof Michael Doherty, Chairman of Bord na Gaeilge him telling me that the language was spoken Faigheann muid fiosrúcháin maidir interested in the language as well as the large there fluently at the beginning of the 20th number of UCD students who attended leis an teanga as as gach áit sa tír century. But when neighbours visited and spoke Gaelscoileanna, it was felt that a demand Irish, children would be sent to their rooms to seo agus chomh fada ó bhaile le existed for additional activities to bring Irish prevent them from exposure to the language. Meiriceá agus an Astráil. language speakers and learners together outside At that time, English was the language of the classroom. One of the outcomes of this progression and Irish was of little use to those He also states that “there has been an workshop, was a new informal initiative, ‘Irish at whose destiny was emigration to Glasgow or increased demand for the translation service Lunchtime’ which commenced 6 February 2007. New York”.This conversation remained with offered to all schools and colleges within the Professor Doherty who made a conscious University due to the 2003 Official Languages Tá Bord na Gaeilge tar éis ábhar decision to raise his own children bilingually. Act” as well as for the 16 places on the Bord na teagaisc a sholáthar do Scoil na Gaeilge Irish language Student Residence Gaeilge, an Léinn Cheiltigh, Ó 2000 i leith, tá ardú 135% ar an Scheme on campus. Bord na Gaeilge also Bhéaloideas Éireann agus na líon daoine idir mhic léinn agus provides a valuable service to the public. “The Teangeolaíochta don chúrsa bhaill foirne atá ag clárú do service we provide to the public is an important toghthach ag leibhéal ab initio atá aspect of our work; we receive numerous Irish chúrsaí Gaeilge. á thairiscint faoin gclár Horizons. language related queries both from within Ireland and from as far a field as the US and Other proposals included the possibility of After joining the staff of what is now the UCD Australia. These queries are dealt with by the accrediting work undertaken by students in the School of Agriculture, Food Science and Irish Language Officer, Clár Ní Bhuachalla promotion of the language and the further Veterinary Medicine in 1986, Professor Doherty whose professionalism and dedication have development of eCommunication for both observed that there was an Irish-speaking been pivotal to our success”. prospective and current students interested in community within the University. “The availing of our services. Veterinary College was located in Ballsbridge at Ar cheann de na tionscnaimh a that time but there was a number of people d’eascair as an gceardlann, tá togra One of the Bord's principal projects is there with whom you could have an informal nua ‘Gaeilge ag Am Lóin’ the development of learning conversation ‘as Gaeilge’. There was a great deal materials for adult learners of Irish. of good will and interest in the language among With his appointment as chairman in 2006, Bord na Gaeilge has recently both staff and students. Through my his first aim was to review the role of Bord na provided the School of Irish, involvement with the Large Animal Clinical Gaeilge within a rapidly changing UCD. The

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influenza Preparing for the flu Professor William Hall talks to Claire O'Connell (BSc 1992, PhD 1998) about the vital importance of preparing for a potential pandemic flu outbreak.

As the threat of a devastating ‘flu pandemic pathogenic pandemic virus, which could include containment facilities are equipped to to develop an effective vaccine, and even then hangs over the world, Ireland is readying widespread illness, death and disruption to handle a potentially pandemic strain of virus, global supplies will probably be limited. But itself for action should a new, infectious essential services. This is especially important and in recent months there have been two again, thanks to the expert group’s advice, virus emerge. Having a good action plan in because, unlike the seasonal ‘flu outbreaks we “dry runs” of handling and identifying H5N1 Ireland has staked a place in the queue. place could help reduce the human misery see each winter, pandemic influenza can strike samples there. “We’re negotiating with companies to get an that thousands of deaths and the severe at any time of year. It can also potentially advance purchase to vaccinate the whole economic blow of a particularly dangerous attack any age group and can last for Professor Hall notes that Ireland’s efficiency of country,” says Professor Hall. pandemic virus would bring. A key figure in months, sweeping through a population in disease reporting is also improving, thanks in planning our national pandemic strategy is unpredictable waves. part to computerised infectious disease In the meantime, the expert group recommends virologist Professor William Hall of the UCD reporting (CIDR), a new, web-based system continuing to vaccinate high-risk groups against School of Medicine and Medical Science, who Since 1999, Professor Hall has chaired the being implemented nationwide for logging seasonal ‘flu as usual, even in a pandemic. chairs the expert group that advises the National Pandemic Influenza Expert Group, notifiable diseases. Pandemic influenza cases “You want to reduce the level of regular government on how to prepare for a which was appointed by the Minister for Health would feed into this database to provide public influenza anyway, and secondly you don’t want pandemic situation. and Children and which issues guidelines to the health officials with important, real-time data the risk of the seasonal influenza to reassort government on how to prepare for an influenza about the extent and locations of outbreaks. with the pandemic virus,” says Professor Hall. A pandemic can ignite if a new subtype of the pandemic. Ireland's preparedness strategies link “Also, if the pandemic virus is partially related influenza A virus emerges to which human in closely with recommendations from the But what can we do in the face of a pandemic to seasonal influenza, the seasonal vaccine may populations have no immunity. The most World Health Organisation (WHO), explains virus once it has been identified and located? give some limited immunity and protection.” devastating influenza pandemic on record, the Professor Hall, and last January the group The front-line medical treatment is an anti-viral Spanish ‘flu of 1918, killed at least 40 million drafted updated, national recommendations drug, explains Professor Hall. Based on previous The full recommendations of the expert group’s people worldwide. More recently, the Asian ‘flu based on the ever-evolving H5N1 situation. recommendations from the expert group, the report are being considered by the Health killed two million in 1957 the Hong Kong ‘flu government has already secured 1.1 million Service Executive (HSE), which is charged with saw the deaths of one million people in 1968. doses of the anti-viral agent Tamiflu, enough to implementing pandemic plans. In addition the Central to Ireland's ongoing treat 25 per cent of the population. expert group welcomes feedback from the One possible candidate to spark off the next surveillance is the National public on the draft plan, which is available in pandemic is the avian influenza virus H5N1, but The group has also advised the government to full on the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance when that might happen and how dangerous Virus Reference Laboratory order a second anti-viral drug, Relenza, as a Centre website www.hpsc.ie the virus would be to humans remains to be (NVRL) at UCD, which backup. “There’s some evidence of some seen. “It's likely that another pandemic will individuals in Vietnam with H5N1 developing Claire O'Connell (BSc 1992, PhD 1998) is a happen,” says Professor Hall, adding that much Professor Hall directs. resistance to Tamiflu, so that’s one additional freelance journalist. will hinge on how pathogenic, or disease- reason why we wanted to get a secondary causing, the emergent strain will be. “If it’s a Their current advice covers key areas such as drug” explains Professor Hall, adding that with What would happen in Ireland very pathogenic virus then we are in trouble. improving national disease reporting as well as enough Relenza on order to treat a further 20 If it’s not a very pathogenic virus then there planning in advance how to distribute anti-viral per cent of the population, it increases our in a pandemic? anti-viral coverage to the second-highest in the might just be a worldwide mild swoop.” drugs quickly to those who need them. And If an influenza pandemic is declared and the world, behind France. while these preparations are ongoing, we must virus is highly pathogenic, Ireland faces However he insists it is vital that we plan in also keep watch, along with the rest of the The availability of these anti-viral drugs would potentially serious health and economic advance to mitigate the possible effects of a world. “H5N1 has been around since 1997 with reduce the previously estimated death-toll of problems: fewer than 300 people infected. The mortality is almost 53,000 in Ireland should a pandemic high but the infection rate is low for humans,” • Estimates based on the 1918 pandemic strike. “That figure would be definitely blunted says Professor Hall. “We know there’s a risk suggests that a virus with a high clinical by anti-virals because it is based on 1918 of avian H5N1 virus, we know there are attack rate could kill almost 53,000 people pandemic figures when there were no anti- limited human infections but that in Ireland, although that figure would be virals,” explains Professor Hall. fortunately there's no human-to-human lowered through medical intervention with anti-viral agents. spread.” But in order to be effective, anti-viral drugs need to be administered quickly - within 12 to This combination adds up to the WHO • Hospital services and mortuaries would be 48 hours of symptoms starting. And Professor classification of pandemic phase 3, severely stretched. Hall warns that the logistics must be worked where the recommended emphasis is out of how to get the potentially life-saving • Mass gatherings would be banned to help on monitoring the situation closely. drugs to the priority recipients. curtail the spread of the virus, meaning that Central to Ireland’s ongoing schools and universities would close. surveillance is the National Virus “It's potentially going to present tremendous Reference Laboratory (NVRL) at UCD, logistical problems because it's an area of • Absenteeism at work could rocket to an which Professor Hall directs. potential abuse or potential wrong use as a estimated 50 per cent, with people staying home through illness or fear of mixing with medicine,” he says. “And if you misuse the The NVRL has a dedicated team which others, and parents having to mind children anti-viral, you have the danger of developing would be available at all times to deal who cannot go to school. As a result there resistance.” with a pandemic situation should it would be a significant negative impact on arise here, and advances in the field of To compound the problem, no preventative business activities and on the delivery of essential services. molecular diagnostics have vaccine will be available at the start of a improved our ability to detect pandemic. Once the pandemic virus has been viruses, he says. The identified, it will take around four to six months NVRL’s Level-3 Plus

Prof William Hall

7

sprawl The long commute Dublin’s commuter belt now extends over 100 kilometres from the Dublin area. Dr Brendan Williams talks to Louise Holden about the implications of this development.

When Dr Brendan Williams and his team are filling up. It’s an unsustainable pattern, zoning in line with best published the findings of their third study on according to Williams, and one which requires a international practice and reduce housing in Ireland last month, the media bird’s eye view to address. the risks of corruption,” the report response was predictable. The report recommends. “People tend to identify with issues that relate reached conclusions about the trajectory of to their local area,” says Dr Williams. “It’s fine However, Dr Williams and his team Dublin property values: the national dailies for people to be interested in the local market are not on a mission to tear down ran with yet more headlines about house Map shows traditional Dublin commuter belt of or the services available to them. But we need the system. “We're not suggesting prices. However, this report had a great deal 25km and new wider catchment area of 100km. an overview. There are lots of individuals, confronting the existing authorities. Many more to say about the impact of housing © Ordnance Survey Ireland /Government of Ireland groups and authorities debating the issues but media reports claimed that we were forwarding patterns than media reports might suggest. no one is looking at the whole picture.” the notion of a planning ‘watchdog.’ That is not Where we build, and where we choose to Urban Sprawl and Market Fragmentation - the case - even the term is confrontational. live, has implications that ripple out through Some key findings Agreement between stakeholders, and transport, schooling, healthcare, leisure, Well-serviced and meaningful resources, are required.” 1. Current levels of housing demand seem family life, social life, the local environment, established townlands likely to maintain their momentum through the national economy and the global This is a micro-debate within a much larger to 2009. climate. are emptying out while issue, and Williams is hopeful that his study will 2. Demand has been absorbed by the growth contribute to a more circumspect approach to The report, entitled Urban Sprawl and Market under-serviced, new regions of the commuter belt which now stretches planning and the environment. Fragmentation in the Greater Dublin Area, is the over 100 kilometres from Dublin through third in a series taking a long view of the are filling up. This report will contribute to a larger study, Leinster and into south Ulster. This pattern pattern of planning, building and living in the Urban Environment Project coordinated by is contrary to the objectives of the According to Williams, there is a proposal for a Dublin and its commuter belt. These reports are UCD, commissioned by the Environmental National Spatial Strategy and Regional greater Dublin Area Authority on the table as Planning Guidelines. the work of lecturer in Development and Protection Agency, to look at the long term well as proposals for regional planning which Planning at UCD School of Geography, Planning impact of urban sprawl. This is an inter- 3. Adjacent towns and villages are swallowed are part of the National Spatial Strategy, but and Environmental Policy, and Deputy Director institutional project that will examine urban by suburban development, potentially with these have never been fully activated, and may of the UCD Urban Environment Project, Dr development, transport, climate change, negative consequences in terms of well be hogtied by the current Local Authority Brendan Williams, with Brian Hughes of DIT and wildlife, social patterns; the complete picture sustainability due to infrastructure deficits. system. “Local Authorities are still the main Scarce land resources are used, often in a urban research analyst Patrick Shiels. All three of what happens to communities and planks of statutory planning. You’d need wasteful fashion. studies were commissioned by the Society of environments as housing patterns change. consent from all of them to move forward on Chartered Surveyors and are intended to 4. Peripheral expansion of urban areas such this. Politically, it's difficult to deliver.” “This research will, in turn, feed into the UCD contribute to an even wider analysis of the as Dublin is characterised by low-rise, involvement in the EU Plurel Project, which will changing patterns of living in Ireland and their However, the current fragmented approach to low-density housing development causing examine the impact of urban sprawl on impact on people and their environment. planning is shoring up significant problems for traffic congestion receiving communities. What's happening to the future. The report warns that the absence of 5. These developments result in the Tectonic shifts in housing trends in and around places like Cavan and Westmeath that are integration of housing, land-use and decentralisation of local commercial activity, the county of Dublin over the last twenty years receiving the wave out of Dublin? What will transportation policies will continue to create exemplified by the movement of offices to have left the planning process running to catch happen to them if, as looks likely from our major problems for accessibility, sustainability suburban office parks and decentralisation up. While local authorities struggle to deal with research, there is a wave back into the area and quality of life. of state offices, with major implications for local housing and infrastructural needs, the within the M50? Will these commuter towns be city transportation systems. entire map of the east coast is taking on a new “Housing development is occurring in a changed forever? This kind of contextualization 6. The concept of community is made difficult aspect, with housing developments stripping dynamic but unstable manner, often caused by is vital.” by the modern urban design. Car dependant ahead of the services that should attend them - major problems in managing the land supply Dr Williams is confident that the applied single-use housing areas without basic schools, bus routes, hospitals, leisure areas, process. The need for effective regional planning research he and his colleagues have carried out facilities such as shops and schools provide roads. Despite recent efforts by the government and development implementation strategies few facilities or opportunities to develop is practical enough for use by policy makers, to impose some strategy on Dublin’s housing with a unitary authority/agency rather than interaction. especially since it involved the work of both patterns, the relentless development has taken fragmented approaches is now more evident academics and a commercial body - the Society 7. New mono-functional housing areas have on a life of its own. than before,” the report concludes. of Chartered Surveyors. created a near-total dependency on the “You can analyse the problem again and again private car, with obvious implications for Relentless development has “There is an appetite to deal with this issue. the environment but without political commitment, nothing will The Urban Environment Project has received taken on a life of its own. change,” says Williams, who has called for the 8. The overall housing market in 2007 is likely considerable assistance from the Environmental establishment of a coordinating authority for to experience a more modest level of price Protection Agency and the local authorities. The provision of housing nationally has Dublin planning, but admits that without teeth, increases than has been seen in recent years. There is an overall budget of Û1.2 million for increased in 2006 to a level of approximately such a body would only add another layer to an Prices are expected to stabilise in some this project including five PhD students working 95,000 units per annum, according to the already unwieldy system. The piecemeal areas as overall demand and supply levels on specific themes. The local authorities and come close to equilibrium. report. Much of this development has taken development of Leinster’s housing has been planning agencies want better tools and place in Dublin's commuter belt or functional exacerbated by questionable political practices 9. In a more selective market some techniques to assist them in decision making. urban region which now extends over 100 in the past, and it behoves the government of fragmentation will be likely, resulting in Applied research like ours is forward-looking kilometres from the Dublin area into outer today to ensure that the legacy of corruption is diverging price trends. Weaker locations and fits into the bigger picture, feeding back Leinster and the Ulster counties of Monaghan not left to fester. distant from primary employment centres into policy making.” may be negatively affected. It may also and Cavan. Meanwhile, the researchers have “Following the completion of the Mahon and allow the possible movement back to Dublin found, areas within the city such as Tallaght are Louise Holden is a journalist with the Irish Times Flood Tribunals, major structural changes should of some of the deflected population who experiencing depopulation. The result; and is currently enrolled on the MEd programme occur in land zoning/rezoning processes and currently commute long distances. well-serviced and established townlands are at UCD. procedures to bring the Irish system of land emptying out while under-serviced, new regions

8

Two Parsons Fuelling the fire of Research Energy inflammation

In a diverse range of chronic inflammatory currently got quite restricted effective disorders including inflammatory bowel treatments. The research was carried out in Awards for UCD disease and arthritis, blood supply to the collaboration with Professor Jacques site of inflammation is compromised Pouyssegur in the University of Nice, France. leading to a drop in tissue oxygen levels. Cummins’ work has already been recognised UCD researchers have won two of the seven Electricity Industry in Ireland. The ERC’s In a recent study published in the with a number of awards including prestigious Charles Parsons Research Energy Awards. research focuses on three main areas: evolving Proceedings of the National Academy of Keystone fellowships to fund his presentation electricity markets, wind power and power Science (USA) Professor Cormac Taylor’s Û of the data at a two major scientific Accepting an award in the region of 3 million, system operations. research group in the UCD Conway Institute Professor Shane Ward, Director of the UCD have found that this decrease in oxygen conferences in the United States in 2006. Bioresources Research Centre (BRC), The Charles Parsons Research Energy Awards supply may significantly contribute to In a development of this project, a commented on the significance of the award in were created in 2006 to stimulate and develop disease development. collaboration between Professor Taylor’s lab terms of funding staff appointments and Irish energy research. On presenting the awards and Sigmoid Biotechnologies is investigating continuing vital work on liquid bio-fuel and in December, Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for This work, which comprised a significant novel drug delivery formulations aimed at biomass-to-energy research. Communications, Marine & Natural Resources portion of the PhD thesis for Dr Eoin Cummins, delivering drugs that interfere with said that the awards addressed a “critical demonstrates that a family of oxygen sensing inflammatory processes directly to the site Professor Mark O’Malley of UCD School of shortage of appropriately skilled people to enzymes known (quite appropriately) as PHDs of action in diseases such as inflammatory Electrical, Electronic & Mechanical Engineering meet our energy research needs.” Recipients of are intimately involved in inflammatory Û bowel disease. accepted the other award, of almost 2.5m on this lucrative award secure funding for seven processes. behalf of the UCD Electricity Research Centre years and this is the first time that funding for His findings increase scientists' understanding Work in Professor Taylor’s lab is funded by (ERC). The ERC is a collaboration between the such extended early stage research has been of the processes regulating inflammation and grants from Science Foundation Ireland and Power Systems Research Group at UCD and the provided in Ireland. open a new window of therapeutic the Health Research board. opportunity in a range of diseases which have Research into technology for independent living

Today, one in every ten people is 60 years or A coordinated suite of research projects will Speaking at the announcement of the Centre in older. By 2150, it is expected that this figure address the physical, cognitive and social January, Minister for Enterprise Trade and will be more like one in three. Research is consequences of ageing. Research focuses on Employment, Micheál Martin noted the Centre’s vital in addressing the challenges of three key areas: improving social health and strategic value in terms of collaborative work ‘independent living’ for older people. community engagement for older people; between academic institutions and Intel, and in A recent investment of $30 million by Intel detecting and preventing falls in the home; and the promotion of Ireland as a centre of and the IDA in the Technology Research for helping those with memory loss to maintain excellence in research. Independent Living Centre (TRIL) reflects their independence. this. UCD is now poised to play its part in Each research project will incorporate this important work. multi-disciplinary teams from several Irish universities, Intel's new European Digital Health The TRIL Centre Director is Professor Richard Group and their US-based colleagues. The Reilly of UCD School of Electrical, Electronic and findings will be shared on a global, open-access Mechanical Engineering. This school, along with basis on www.trilcentre.org the UCD School of Psychology and the UCD School of Physiotherapy and Performance Science are involved in the research.

At the launch of the TRIL Centre, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin TD shows two attendees the Centre’s website

Professor J. Peter Clinch of the UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy has been made an Honorary Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute for distinguished contributions to planning. The Royal Town Planning Institute is the premier global professional planning institute. Professor Clinch is the only such member in Republic of Ireland and joins a select list of notable international academics who have received the RTPI’s highest award, including Professor Sir Peter Hall and Professor Andreas Faludi.

9

UCD College of Arts and Celtic Studies UCD College of Human Sciences

College Principal College Principal Prof Mary E. Daly Prof Brigid Laffan e

UCD School of Archaeology UCD School of Applied Social Science HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Dr Muiris Ó Suilleabháin Prof Suzanne Quin

UCD School of Art History & Cultural UCD School of Economics Policy HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Prof Rodney Thom Prof Kathleen James-Chakraborty

UCD School of Classics UCD School of Education and HEAD OF SCHOOL Lifelong Learning Dr Michael Lloyd HEAD OF SCHOOL Prof Sheelagh Drudy

UCD School of English and Drama UCD School of Geography, Planning HEAD OF SCHOOL and Environmental Policy Prof Andrew Carpenter HEAD OF SCHOOL Dr Joe Brady

UCD School of History and Archives UCD School of Information and uctur HEAD OF SCHOOL Library Studies Dr Richard Aldous HEAD OF SCHOOL Dr Ian Cornelius

UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies, UCD School of Philosophy Irish Folklore and Linguistics HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Dr Brian O’Connor Prof Liam Mac Mathúna

UCD School of Languages, Literatures UCD School of Politics and and Film International Relations

str HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Clíona de Bhaldraithe-Marsh Prof Attracta Ingram

UCD School of Music UCD School of Psychology HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Dr Wolfgang Marx Dr Barbara Dooley w UCD School of Social Justice HEAD OF SCHOOL Dr Sara Cantillon

UCD School of Sociology HEAD OF SCHOOL Dr Aogán Mulcahy ne

10

UCD College of Engineering, UCD College of Business ces UCD College of Life Sciences Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Law

College Principal College Principal College Principal Prof Brian McKenna Prof Nick Quirke Mr Paul Haran

UCD School of Agriculture, Food UCD School of Architecture, UCD School of Law Science and Veterinary Medicine Landscape and Civil Engineering DEAN HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Prof Paul O'Connor Prof Maurice Boland Dr Mark Richardson

UCD School of Biology and UCD School of Chemical and UCD School of Business Environmental Science Bioprocess Engineering DEAN HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Prof Thomas Begley Prof Thomas Bolger Prof Don MacElroy

UCD School of Biomolecular and UCD School of Computer Science Biomedical Sciences and Informatics HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Prof Finian Martin Prof Barry Smyth

UCD School of Chemistry and UCD School of Electrical, Electronic Chemical Biology and Mechanical Engineering HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Prof Michael McGlinchey Dr David FitzPatrick

UCD School of Medicine and Medical UCD School of Geological Sciences Science HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Prof Patrick Shannon Prof William Powderly

UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery UCD School of Mathematical and Health Systems Sciences HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Dr Gerard Fealy Prof Adrian Ottewill

UCD School of Physiotherapy and UCD School of Physics Performance Science HEAD OF SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL Prof Gerry O'Sullivan Dr Catherine Blake

UCD School of Public Health and Population Sciences HEAD OF SCHOOL Prof Cecily Kelleher

March 2007

11

Friel’s Companion Professor Anthony Roche tells Belinda McKeon how it felt to be the critic critiqued by the author, in a conversation about his recent book The Cambridge Companion to Brian Friel.

After all the months of shaping, perfecting, always since been interested in work that stone. As a young critic, having read the script This is the right time for a Cambridge refining, there comes the moment when presses beyond realism. And I went to see it the of Bailegangaire six months before production, Companion to Friel, Roche believes. “In theatre, every new work must step up onto the stage following week - which I’ve rarely ever done - he predicted to playwright Tom Murphy that timing is all. But timing is the most difficult and face its audience. Having written on Irish because I wanted to see it again. I knew I was with Siobhan McKenna cast as Mommo and thing. There are a number of reasons why the theatre for over 25 years, Anthony Roche, an going to do something after my B.A., and I with Garry Hynes directing, it would be a book is timely. There’s Brian Friel’s chronology. Associate Professor in the UCD School of knew it was going to be something on Synge.” critical and popular success. He worked, then, He's 78, he's still there. And I did feel that he English and Drama, knows all about first with a sense not just of being engaged, but of had not had his critical share of the earth. If nights: the excitement, the apprehension, That something turned out to be a PhD on being involved. you take Seamus Heaney, the poetic equivalent the insecurity. So when the word came Synge from the University of California, Santa - and there is a Cambridge Companion that his latest production, so to speak, Barbara, where Roche had the good fortune to “I regard the critical act as imminent on Heaney - the sheer range of the The Cambridge Companion to Brian Friel, work with the great Irish critic Professor Vivien books is much larger than on Friel. And as a was to receive not one but two first nights Mercier. “We arrived in the same week; it was one of the necessary acts stimulus to that, let alone as a help to the - an initial launch in London and a later one pure serendipity,” he says. Studying with of interpretation of a student who's trying to write their essay, I felt in Dublin, Roche could have been forgiven for Mercier in the U.S. brought the young Roche’s that a real state of the art job was required.” feeling a touch of stage fright. But at the critical development in two directions. “It was dramatic text, in the way He’s now writing a monograph on Friel, as is London launch, he bumped into somebody going further and further into the Irish that an actor or designer his colleague Christopher Murray. “And what’s who had it even worse. material,” he says. “But it was also going further important also is that Friel never achieved and further into a world context.” And while, as or director would realise worldwide success at the expense of his “Anne came up to me at the first launch and a student in Trinity, he tried his hand at acting - the script.” reception in Ireland. The audiences here never said, you know, Brian’s very nervous,” as did his friend Michael Colgan, now the felt, oh, well, he's sold his birthright. There was remembers Roche. “She had said to him, is it Artistic Director of the Gate - he quickly The Cambridge Companion is involved with the always a sense that one of our own was going like a first night? And he said, and here Roche discovered it wasn’t for him. Even then, he knew most crucial and the most complex aspects of out on his own terms and doing well. And it does a neat impression of Friel's Tyrone tones, that it would be from a critical engagement Friel's work, from his creative process to his was that combination that I found so striking. “no, no, this is much worse than a first night. with theatre that he would derive the greatest engagement with the Troubles, from his work And we are still inclined to take our writers This is all the work!” pleasure. “I'm happy enough to be an with Field Day to his concern for the design and for granted.” interpreter,” he explains. “I regard the critical act look of his plays, from his reimaginings of Irish Although he’s undoubtedly as one of the necessary acts of interpretation of womanhood to his reinventions of the Russia of One thing is for certain; Roche won’t be able a dramatic text, in the way that an actor or Chekhov and Turgenev, from performativity to to take Friel for granted any time soon; the Ireland's greatest living designer or director would realise the script.” postcolonialism. Every chapter is compelling, playwright is keeping an eye on everything playwright, Friel is “his own but those by Thomas Kilroy, Frank McGuinness, from his home at the northernmost tip of the If The Well of the Saints had been the road Nicholas Grene, George O’Brien, Anna island. Sure enough, soon after the London fiercest critic”, says Roche. to Damascus, then Roche's first significant McMullan and by Roche himself linger on in the launch of the Companion, a letter arrived for encounter with the work of Friel constituted, reader's mind with particular resonance. “One Roche; a heavy one, postmarked in Donegal. Although he’s undoubtedly Ireland’s greatest perhaps, his arrival at the shining city of the temptations with the book was to do a “It was a very full and serious and measured living playwright, Friel is “his own fiercest (to borrow a phrase from a playwright much single chapter each on the most popular of and positive response,” says Roche. “And he critic”, says Roche. “He's never satisfied. He’s influenced by Friel, Conor McPherson, who Friel’s plays,” he explains. “But I was very saw all the layers. But to have that letter in skeptical of success. And you have that sense of counts Roche, a former teacher, among his concerned to cover the entire career. Absolutely. my pocket as I headed to the next launch…” restlessness in the plays.” Friel is a playwright, earliest supporters). That Friel play was To not lose sight of those plays that had done He smiles. Obviously, that was something. too, who has a great respect for the act of Translations, a production of which Roche saw the best, and that people were most interested criticism, says Roche - as long as that act is at the Hampstead in London in 1981, as he was in critically, but also to shine a light on the Belinda McKeon (MLitt 2005) is a freelance undertaken with care and intelligence. So it was en route to Ireland from America for the first unexplored works, and to make connections Theatre & Arts journalist based in New York. little wonder, then, that Roche himself felt visit in four years. “I think the exile and return between them.” nervous that night in London, as he handed to motif is relevant here.” he notes. Stephen Rea Friel the finished copy of the Cambridge played the role of Manus, in a recasting of the Pictured at the launch of the Cambridge Companion, which includes 14 essays, original Field Day production. “And the play Companion to Brian Friel at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, on 24 Oct 2006: commissioned, selected and edited by Roche, blew me away,” says Roche. “I came out of it Prof Tony Roche, UCD School of English and covering the whole gamut of Friel’s career. completely disoriented in terms of where I was, and Drama and Brian Friel (foreground) “I said to Anne, I’m very nervous. Putting that what year it was…I mean, profoundly moved by hard-backed, signed copy of the book in Brian’s it, fully engaged. And I knew I’d write about hands, I’ve just had the moment I’ve been it. But it was much more than that. It anticipating for three years. And when we was the kernel of my book on gather again in Dublin in a week’s time, I know Irish drama.” he will have read it.” And he knew that Friel would not mince his words. That book, Contemporary Irish Drama, was published in 1994. But what Roche also knew was that he had From 1997 to 2002, Roche was been preparing for that moment for much editor of the Irish University longer than the three years it had taken him to Review; he steered issues on edit and finish the Companion. He has been Friel and Tom Kilroy, among preparing for it, in a sense, for the entire length others. He loves writing about of his academic and critical career. The journey contemporary and new work, started, perhaps, that night in the early 1970s he says; loves the freedom of when, as an undergraduate in Trinity College, he it, the way the critic works saw an Abbey production of Synge’s play The with a different awareness of Well of the Saints. “And it was the Road to history or legacy - not a Damascus,” he says. “I felt the power of theatre. lighter awareness, necessarily, I felt the power of Irish theatre. I didn't fully but a more liberating one - understand the play; it wasn’t realistic, and I’ve and how nothing is set in

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UCD Professor elected Jewish Ireland in Joyce Foundation the age of Joyce president Professor Cormac Ó Gráda of the UCD In a richly detailed, elegantly written blend of Professor Anne Fogarty of the UCD School of Drama Studies. She was director of the UCD School of Economics recently celebrated the historical, economic, and demographic analysis, English and Drama will soon be the first ever James Joyce Summer School from 1997 to launch of his new book Jewish Ireland in the Professor Ó Gráda examines the challenges Irish President of the International James 2005 and associate director of the Yeats age of Joyce - A Socioeconomic History, at a this community faced. He asks how its Joyce Foundation. Her appointment was Summer School, 1995-1997. She is General reception held in the National Library of patterns of child rearing, schooling, and announced at the recent James Joyce Editor of the Irish University Review. Ireland, Kildare Street. The book was cultural and religious behaviour influenced its Symposium in Budapest. launched by Professor Declan Kiberd, UCD marital, fertility, and infant-mortality rates. He The next James Joyce Summer School will be The purpose of the Foundation is to held 8-14 July at Newman House. Full Chair of Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama. argues that the community's small size shaped encourage scholarship, criticism, and study information is available at its occupational profile and influenced its In this work, Ó Gráda examines Jewish Ireland of Joyce’s life, work, and career. The www.joycesummerschool.ie acculturation; it also compromised its viability from the 1870s when the first Lithuanian organisation also facilitates ways in which in the long run. scholars, critics, students and general readers Prof Anne Fogarty Jewish immigrants landed in Dublin, to the late may meet together. 1940s, just before the community began its Jewish Ireland in the Age of Joyce presents a steep decline. fascinating portrait of a group of people in an Professor Fogarty was also recently named unlikely location who, though small in number, UCD's first Professor of James Joyce Studies and James Joyce's Leopold Bloom was the son of a comprised Ireland's most resilient immigrant will lead work to develop a dedicated Research Hungarian Jewish father and an Irish Protestant community until the Celtic Tiger's immigration Centre. James Joyce is UCD’s most famous mother. However his origins are at odds with surge of the 1990s. alumnus and his legacy is deservedly marked the traditions of the Jewish community of that out in the university’s strategic plan as a time; intermarriage with outsiders was rare and Professor Ó Gráda has written seven other particularly important research area. piety was pronounced. books, including Black '47 and Beyond Professor Fogarty was previously chair of the (Princeton), which won the 2000 James J. Indeed in 1866, the year of Bloom's birth, Board of Women's Studies and the Board of Donnelly, Sr., Prize for Best Book on Irish Dublin's Jewish population hardly existed, and History or Social Studies and was one of on the eve of World War I it numbered barely Choice's Outstanding Academic Books of 1999. three thousand. But this small group of people quickly found an economic niche in an era of depression, and developed a surprisingly Paul Durcan at UCD vibrant web of institutions.

The Ireland Professor of Poetry, Paul Durcan, achievement and distinction for the is currently spending a semester at UCD. professorship. These suggestions are considered Pictured (r-l) at the book launch of Jewish Ireland in the age of Joyce were by a panel of representatives from the five Prof Cormac O’Grada of UCD School of Economics and Prof Louis Cullen. Paul Durcan is an important contemporary sponsoring organisations and a poet is selected. Dublin poet whose main published collections include: A Snail in my Prime, Crazy About Women, Paul Durcan succeeded John Montague and Greetings to Our Friends in Brazil and Cries of an Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill to be the third poet to Irish Caveman. He is a previous recipient of the fulfil the role of Ireland Professor of Poetry. Patrick Kavanagh Award, and he published his The Chair is tenable for 3 years during which first collection, O Westport in the Light of Asia time the Professor is attached to each of the Minor in 1975. His 1985 collection, The Berlin three universities in turn, one year at a time Wall Café, a series of poems about marriage and is required to be in residence at each for break-up, was a Poetry Book Society choice and approximately one academic term in that year. is regarded by many critics as his most The Professor makes three formal presentations important work. and holds other informal workshops or readings for the public at large. On 8th February, Paul The position of Ireland Professor of Poetry was spoke at UCD on The Mystery of Harry Clifton. founded in 1998 by the Queen's University of Belfast, University College Dublin, Trinity The 4th Ireland Professor of Poetry is due to be College Dublin, Arts Council of Northern Ireland selected in March 2007. Members of the public and The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. and poets themselves are invited to nominate It is also supported through The Ireland Fund. suitable candidates. If you have a suggestion and would like to nominate a poet do please Every 3 years, members of the public and poets contact [email protected] before themselves are invited to suggest a poet of Tuesday 13th March 2007.

Ireland 2002

Do you ever take a holiday abroad? No, we always go to America.

Paul Durcan

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New Vice-President Professor Pat Shannon for Students elected to Governing

Dr Martin Butler has been appointed and gained his PhD from the University of UCD’s Vice-President for Students. Southampton. Dr Butler's main research Authority interest is management decision making and Dr Butler was Director of the UCD Quinn the use of mathematical models in evaluating School of Business from 1999-2007. Prior to decision alternatives. He has presented and Patrick M. Shannon, Professor of Geology this, he was Director of the Bachelor of published widely. and Head of the UCD School of Geological Commerce Programme. During his time at the Sciences, has been elected to the UCD UCD Quinn School, he led some key academic His primary interest is in higher education and Governing Authority. Professor Shannon, and structural change programmes; not least creating a positive student environment. a member of the Royal Irish Academy since the completion of the UCD Quinn building and 2003, fills the vacancy on the professorial the shift from large group learning to small panel that arose following the retirement group teaching. of Professor Muiris X. FitzGerald.

He was also responsible for the establishment An active researcher and teacher, Professor of the Centre for Community Engagement Shannon is a former Associate Dean of Science. which encourages students to engage with local He has served the university on the Academic communities and other partners. He was Council and on committees including Research instrumental in the decision by the European Dr Martin Butler Ethics, the Welfare Executive and the Quality Foundation for Management Development to Assurance/Quality Improvement Standing host the 2006 undergraduate conference at Committee. UCD Quinn School of Business. The period of office of the Governing Authority Dr Butler completed his undergraduate studies ends on 31 January 2009. at UCD taking an engineering degree. He completed his Masters at Dublin University Prof Pat Shannon was recently elected to the Governing Authority

In November 2006, Dr Brendan J Loftus received a Û2 million Science Foundation Ireland award to Brendan J Loftus joins establish a research programme in microbial genomics at UCD Conway Institute. A UCD graduate with an impressive track record in high-impact journals including Science and Nature, Dr Loftus UCD Conway Institute returns to Ireland from the Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), Maryland, USA.

New Director of Professor Mary Daly Research and appointed Strategy Planning to HEA

Dr Aoibheann Gibbons has been appointed Director of Research and Strategy Planning with Professor Mary Daly, Principal responsibility for a range of strategic research programmes. Key areas include of the UCD College of Arts and research management, research infrastructure, research Celtic Studies has been services and strategic recruitment. appointed as a member of the Higher Education Authority. Her career spans the arts, corporate and academic The announcement was made environments. She has won and managed 18 research and by Minister for Education and development projects across 10 thematic programmes of Science, Ms Mary Hanafin, in February 2007. the 4th framework of the European Commission. Her scientific background is complemented with experience in arts, media and telecommunications as Director of Arthouse in Temple Bar and subsequently as COO in the multimedia division of eircom.

Dr Gibbons has an honours degree in Pharmacology from UCD. Following an initial career in pharmaceutical research and management in the United States, she returned to Ireland to pursue further study and was awarded a PhD by NUIG in 1991.

Prior to taking up her current position, Aoibheann operated in research management in both UCD and in The Royal College of Surgeons. Dr Aoibheann Gibbons

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On the 17th January, UCD’s Mature Student Support Service hosted UCD’s first annual information evening for As part of the Bachelor of Social Studies in Housing and Community studies, a group of 35 staff and 4th-year prospective Mature Students. Over 125 prospective students came to the information evening with a view to students paid a study visit to Vienna in December 2006, where they were hosted by the University of Vienna Social applying to UCD for entry in September 2007. Pictured here are Ronan Murphy and Una Hegarty, of UCD’s Work Department. The visit focused on historical and innovative housing projects as well as lectures on social work Mature Student Support Service and social housing. December Open Days and beyond – UCD gets personal In December 2006, some 3,000 prospective undergraduate students and their families visited Prizes for interesting and interactive stands went to the Quinn School of Business, School of the 6th Year Open Days. They heard talks, took campus tours, and asked staff about their Archaeology, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems and School of Engineering, specific areas of interest. Quality conversations were possible thanks to the focused approach Mathematical and Physical Sciences. of the 6th Years who attended and the commitment of the UCD staff who participated. Over the past year, the Student Recruitment team has led a review, in collaboration with other UCD staff, on how to give prospective applicants a clear and comprehensive understanding of UCD and the degrees it offers. While the December Open Days event has been recognised as very successful, one of the results of the review has been to cancel the March Open Days for 5th Year and Transition Years. “A quality exchange of timely information is needed to allow prospective students make the best decisions.” says Anne-Marie Harvey, UCD Director of Student Recruitment. “The last March Open Days had an attendance of approximately 15,000 students, but with such high numbers, it was simply not possible to provide the individual information needed. The other consideration is timing. March comes six weeks after prospective students submit their CAO preferences. And being out of term time, it's hard to give a real taste of the vibrant life on campus.” To improve the students' experience, Student Recruitment have established a two-phased approach for prospective students, tailored to their situation. Firstly, a Campus Tours programme has now been introduced for 5th year and transition year students. These students will be welcomed to UCD individually or as class groups, under the new Student Ambassador programme. The Ambassadors, who are current UCD students, will design and facilitate tailored tours suited to the needed of the individuals or groups. A new Welcome Centre, housed in the Global Irish Institute has been instrumental in providing a friendly environment and tour starting point for visiting students. It is hoped that there will also be an opportunity for these students to sit in on lectures and to discuss their choices with staff and students. Secondly, for 6th Years and mature students, the December Open Days have now been firmly established in the calendar. With their focus on programmes and careers, these days will facilitate students’ consideration of their CAO choices.

6th Year student Amy Browne from Ballygarvan speaks to 2006 also saw the production of a well-received Guidance Counsellors' Information Manual and an John Buckley of the Agricultural Science and Veterinary inaugural Guidance Counsellors' Seminar in November, which is planned to run again in October 2007. Medicine Programme Office at the December Open Day Transition year students experience engineering

“Experience Engineering!” - a new UCD initiative opened the doors of the university to 14 Transition Year students,from 11 Dublin schools in January 2007. The week-long programme was organised by Dr Patricia Kieran of UCD School of Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering and gave these students 'hands-on' experience of each of the Engineering disciplines.

They performed experiments in the Chemical Engineering laboratories; learned about the link between guitar music and digital signal processing; found out what makes the UCD Formula student car a winner; competed in the Biosystems Design Challenge; built bridges and visited practicing engineers at work on-site.

The participants also had the opportunity to meet current Engineering students and find out about study and career opportunities.

The successful week was delivered in conjunction with all UCD Schools offering undergraduate Engineering degree programmes, and with support from the UCD Ambassadors and the Engineers Ireland STEPS programme.

Transition Year Students who participated on the “Experience Engineering” programme. They are pictured here with Prof Gerry Byrne, Dean of Engineering (back row, right); Dr Patricia Kieran UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering (middle row, left); Dr Tom Curran from School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine (back row, left)

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Kevin Barry Cumann UCD research in top trip to Brussels 100 discoveries of 2006 Discovery magazine has ranked the findings Students of the Kevin Barry Cumann recently interest, with some of the most prominent of Maria McNamara from UCD School of visited the European Parliament and politicians working in its key institutions". Geological Sciences as one of the top 100 Commission in Belgium. The group of 20 science stories of 2006. students, from different courses across the The touring party not only had the opportunity university, stayed in Brussels for three days. to challenge Irish MEPs such as Eoin Ryan and In August 2006, researchers examining Brian Crowley but also meet with other, fossils in Madrid reported the first example The purpose of the trip, according to the current well-known, European leaders like Charlie of fossilised bone marrow, found in chairman, James Carroll, was to “engage its McCreevy, Commissioner of the Internal Market 10-million-year-old remains of frogs and members in the inner workings of the European and Services and Olli Rehn, Commissioner salamanders. Because of the way the slabs Union by discussing and debating topics of for Enlargement. containing the bones were fractured during Kevin Barry Cumman members in Brussels with preparation, they revealed a clean cross Commissioner Charlie McCreevy section of bone, in which the red of the bone marrow and the yellow of the fatty marrow were clearly visible.

Maria, whose work was supervised by Dr Patrick Orr of UCD School of Geological Sciences, was the lead author in the article that reported the discovery. The article suggested that the bones provided a protective environment for the marrow, preventing microbes from infiltrating and destroying the soft tissue. Frog fossil. Photograph courtesy of Museo de Geologia del Seminari Clinton Institute update

The UCD Clinton Institute for American Studies has enjoyed a busy period of activity as it Another initiative, the Institute’s Research Seminar series, continues to attract outstanding speakers. moved from temporary accommodation into its dedicated new home in Belfield House. A recent highlight was the visit of Professor Richard Dyer from Kings College London, who provided Speaking about the move, Professor Liam Kennedy, Director of the Institute said that the an entertaining lecture on ‘Plagiarism and Parody’ at the Irish Film Institute in Temple Bar at the end outstanding new building was “commensurate to both the work and the symbolism of the of January. A full audience responded with enthusiasm to Professor Dyer's commentary on music in Institute as a centre devoted to advancing academic research and public discussion about the American and Italian cinemas. United States in Ireland. We look forward to welcoming scholars and other visitors here.' Outreach work also continues. With the support of the Department of Education and Science, the Indeed the Institute has already hosted a number of successful events, including a well-attended Institute hosted a series of workshops for teachers preparing to teach the new Leaving Cert course conference in November on ‘The United States and Iraq: Reflections and Projections’. The conference on U.S. History, 1945-1989. Academics from several institutions across Ireland have contributed to was headlined by leading scholars such as Professors Marilyn Young of New York University; Douglas workshop sessions on the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Civil Rights, Lyndon B. Johnson and the Little of Clark University Massachusetts; Robert McMahon of Ohio State University; and Dr Toby Vietnam War, and the moon landing in 1969. Dodge of Queen Mary College, London. Lara Marlowe of the Irish Times also attended. The conference reflected on the past bi-lateral relationship, analysed the contemporary dilemmas and discussed the For information on upcoming events, such as the Institute's inaugural Summer School in July and the future of Iraq, US foreign policy and the Middle East more generally. conference on ‘Terrorism, the City and the State’, visit www.ucd.ie/amerstud CSCB symposium The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland benefit to the teaching of undergraduate and (RCSI) was the venue for Recent Advances in postgraduate Chemistry programmes in the Synthesis and Chemical Biology V, the fifth School of Pharmacy." annual Centre for Synthesis and Chemical International speakers presented on topics as Biology (CSCB) symposium which was held in diverse as “Antibiotic Biosynthesis” and December 2006. The 200 delegates heard “Biomarkers of autoimmune diseases” plenary lectures from six distinguished speakers, describing current research at the In addition to the plenary lectures, interface between chemistry and biology, postgraduates and postdoctoral scientists from including designing new anti-HIV agents and all over Ireland exhibited their research in a developing a test for multiple sclerosis. poster competition judged by experts from UCD, TCD and RCSI. The winners of the poster In his opening remarks Mr Michael Horgan, competition were Dr Guillaume Anquetin and CEO of the RCSI, commended the collaborative Juliet Cotter from the UCD School of Chemistry efforts of UCD, TCD and the RCSI. "The and Chemical Biology and Catriona O’Meara collaboration between chemistry and from the School of Chemical and biomedical researchers in the three institutions Pharmaceutical Sciences at DIT. has resulted in new programmes of research in From Left to Right: Professors Erick Carreira (ETH), the area of chemical biology and in the sharing Barbara Imperiali (MIT), Peter Sadler (University of resources. In all three institutions the CSCB of Edinburgh), Tom Simpson (University of Bristol), has had a major impact on graduate and Anna Maria Papini (University of Florence) and undergraduate teaching. Here in RCSI the Gerard Canters (Leiden University) at the CSCB CSCB-derived resources have been of invaluable Symposium in the RCSI

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UCD and Cornell University launch cooperative programme in Industrial Relations and Human Resources

UCD and Cornell University have joined curriculum will afford eligible juniors and Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of University is one of the leading universities in forces to offer a new ‘Semester in Dublin seniors an opportunity to focus on the most Understanding between the Schools, Professor the United States. Its main campus is located in Programme' for American students. This is important issues of work and workplace Katz said that Cornell's choice of UCD as its Ithaca, New York State. It also has medical the first initiative in what is intended to be relations which affect the 27 member nations European partner had been very deliberate. campuses in New York City and in Doha, Qatar, a comprehensive collaboration between the of the European Union, the world's largest “UCD has a great academic program in the and research, study, and outreach stations and School of Industrial and Labor Relations, trading block. field, and Ireland is a highly dynamic, programs throughout the world. Cornell University and the Industrial interesting and successful economy.” Relations and Human Resources Group in It is intended to exchange graduate and Cornell University offers more than 4,000 the UCD School of Business. research students and faculty, and to develop “The ILR School at Cornell University is a courses, 70 undergraduate majors, 93 graduate collaborative teaching initiatives. world-class institution and a leader in the field. fields of study, undergraduate and advanced With the launch of a new collaborative Undergraduate and postgraduate students will degrees, and continuing education and programme between UCD and Cornell, The programme was formally inaugurated at a benefit greatly from learning together,” said outreach programmes. Industrial and Labour Relations (ILR) students ceremony in Cornell University at the end of Professor Bill Roche at the event. at Cornell will have increased opportunities to 2006 by ILR School Dean, Professor Harry C Dr Roland Erne of UCD School of Business will enhance their understanding of the Katz and Bill Roche, Professor of Industrial The ILR School is one of the main schools of be the Director of the ILR/UCD Programme. The international dimensions of their field of study. Relations and Human Resources in the UCD Cornell University, and is acknowledged as a Programme will enroll its first class in the The ILR/UCD Semester in Dublin Programme School of Business. world leader in industrial relations and human autumn semester of 2007. resources education and research. Cornell

Pictured at the Irish Internet Association's Net Visionary Awards 2006 are (l-r), Colm Lyon, CEO Realex Payments Tsunami & IIA Chairman; Matt Glowatz of UCD School of Celtic Catalysts to Business, who won Educational Contribution Award; and John McDonnell, CVS Learning photonics double employment ief team at PXIT Celtic Catalysts, the NovaUCD-based life About 75% of all drugs in pharmaceutical Inc acquired sciences company, plans to double its pipelines are chiral compounds. Celtic Catalysts workforce to 20 people during 2007 after has developed intellectual property which successfully completing its initial enables global pharmaceutical and fine by Agilent technology development phase. Having chemical companies test and manufacture launched a new range of chiral catalysts, such products cost effectively. The company is ws In br Tsunami Photonics, trading as PXIT Inc in USA, has been acquired by Agilent the company plans to continue its pipeline commercialising chiral technology which has Technologies. The company, founded in development programme and it has recently been developed over the past five years in

Ne 2000 by Professor Ronan O’Dowd of the secured a number of research alliance UCD’s School of Chemistry and Chemical UCD School of Electrical, Electronic & contracts with major pharmaceutical Biology and was co-founded by Professor Mechanical Engineering, was a spin-out companies. Declan Gilheany and Dr Brian Kelly. from the UCD Optoelectronics Research Centre.

Û2.5 million investment in BiancaMed

BiancaMed, the NovaUCD-based medical sensitive motion sensor that detects heart rate BiancaMed was co-founded in 2003 technology start-up, announced in December and respiration wirelessly. This, along with by Dr Philip de Chazal, Dr Conor 2006 that it had secured Û2.5 million in sophisticated health analysis software, provides Hanley and Professor Conor investment, led by premier global venture solutions to monitor sleep, diet and exercise. Heneghan as an offshoot from capital firm DFJ ePlanet Ventures and UCD's School of Electrical, Electronic existing corporate investor ResMed. BiancaMed CEO Dr Conor Hanley expressed his and Mechanical Engineering and, as delight in securing this significant investment NovaUCD Director Dr Pat Frain Increasingly stressful lifestyles, a rise in chronic and welcomed Dennis Atkinson and Donald explains, demonstrates that university diseases and obesity, and an aging population Fitzmaurice of ePlanet Ventures to the board. spin-outs with strong intellectual property all contribute to skyrocketing healthcare costs. and cutting-edge technology continue to Donald Fitzmaurice believes that with this BiancaMed aims to provide convenient mobile have the potential to attract significant partnership “all the ingredients for success are phone and home-based health-monitoring investment to implement their business present: a major opportunity in personalised technologies which will allow people to better development plans. manage their health and well being. At the core healthcare, a visionary and experienced team of BiancaMed's product platform is a very and a proven ability to innovate clinically at the outset.” Dr Conor Hanley, co-founder and CEO of BiancaMed

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music Musics of Belonging: The Poetry of Micheal O’Siadhail

Micheal O’Siadhail is not only one of the Leading Irish, British and American scholars of and special attention is paid to early It is fitting in a collection devoted to O’Siadhail, most widely read contemporary Irish poets, his poetry come together with others who collections, to his tour de force on the who has long been preoccupied with the but his poetry has also increasingly drawn approach him and his work through biography, Holocaust, and to Globe’s meditations on intersections between music and poetry, that the attention of international critics and history, art, music, translation, religion and history and vision in a time of rapid change. one of his poems is set to music in this volume commentators. philosophy. Their essays are intended for by Seóirse Bodley, Professor Emeritus of music anyone who has enjoyed O’Siadhail’s O'Siadhail’s stature as an Irish and European at UCD. Maurice Harmon, a Professor Emeritus Dr Marc Caball, Director, UCD Humanities life-loving, intense yet accessible poems. poet is assessed, and a range of affinities with in English at UCD, has also contributed an Institute of Ireland, has co-edited with other poets - Donne, Rilke, Dante, Kavanagh - article to the book. It is intended that these David F. Ford (Regius Professor of Divinity The book covers many aspects of O'Siadhail’s are traced. Yet the attempt to categorise essays will stimulate and inform further at the University of Cambridge) a fascinating life and work, including recurrent themes such O'Siadhail comes up against the real possibility discussion of O’Siadhail’s poetry not only in collection of scholarly essays about his work as love, death, language, music and the shifts of that, according to one critic, ‘it may be that he Ireland but internationally as well. entitled Musics of Belonging: The Poetry of modern life. His rich intellectual and has done something rare, that he has created Micheal O'Siadhail (Carysfort Press, 2007). imaginative world of meaning is explored, his own tradition’. In profile: Choral Scholars UCD Sinfonia at Christmas

The National Concert Hall in Dublin annually 2002, the orchestra comprised fewer than On 21 December, the UCD Choral Scholars In all there were over twenty former scholars hosts UCD's staff and student symphony twenty players, but it has rapidly expanded into entertained staff at the President's annual present. The twenty-four strong professional orchestra, the UCD Sinfonia. This orchestra the sizable ensemble it is today. One of the end-of-semester reception in O’Reilly Hall. orchestra of strings, winds, brass and has assumed an ambassadorial role for the greatest boons for the orchestra has been the However on the previous evening, they had percussion was led by Therese Timoney, with college in these performances, which began Horizons programme, enabling many students also been performing; namely to a large many of the arrangements for these specially with a concert given as part of the UCD 150 to reap academic rewards for an activity that audience in Donnybrook Church at their composed by Desmond Earley. celebrations in 2005. At that first National they already enjoy for its artistic as well as concert in aid of Our Lady’s Hospital for The audience was particularly generous in Concert Hall performance, a large educational benefits. Since 2006, funding Sick Children in Crumlin. donating to the charity and plans are forming enthusiastic audience heard almost ninety from the Bank of Ireland and Irish Life has The evening began with a welcome from for a repeat concert at Christmas 2007. musicians present a rousing rendition of the resulted in the creation of ten scholarships Tom Hickey of the Children’s Medical Research Organ Symphony by French composer for Sinfonia members. Foundation at Our Lady's Crumlin. Following a Set up in 1998, the Choral Scholars ensemble is Camille Saint-Saëns. A standard was set for short address from Dr Dennis Jennings, the comprised of UCD students who have secured the Sinfonia then that has been continually The UCD Sinfonia retains close links with the music commenced with the classic Christmas scholarships because of their musical talent. matched both by the ambitions of the School of Music, and with the other performing Carol Adeste Fideles for orchestra and chorus They are drawn however from across the conductor and the results heard on the groups on campus. The orchestra has twice been arranged by UCD Choral Scholars Artistic academic spectrum. stage. joined in concert by the UCD College Choir and Director, Desmond Earley. once by the UCD Choral Scholars. Major soloists This award-winning group has a repertoire The UCD Sinfonia was founded in 2002 by its have performed with the orchestra, including The current ensemble of Choral Scholars was ranging from the medieval to the current Artistic Director, conductor Ciarán Crilly, internationally renowned pianist Philip Martin, rejoined by alumni scholars from all past years: contemporary. They have achieved significant and students from the UCD School of Music. guitarist Redmond O'Toole and, in the 2007 the group included past members Ronan recognition in the university and in the wider The aim was to harness musical talent among NCH concert, the young violinist Cora Venus Sugrue, Meábh Nic Mhaoláin, Martha Bredin, music community for the standard and the students and staff in a way that had not Lunny. www.sinfonia.ie David Morgan, Billie Sparks, Lucy versatility of their performances. More been previously achieved. For its first concert in Thurston and Simon Morgan. information at www.ucd.ie/choralscholars

UCD Sinfonia with conductor Ciarán Crilly

UCD Choral Scholars in action at the end of semester reception 21 December 2006

18 sport fixture 1st XI Colours the women's from Action 0 thanks to a goal from Trinity.against Trinity UCD 1 - Flinn.Roisin Photo courtesy of Sportsfile ‘Get in Gear’ een academics ding to a pilot , y accor ation betw ve the confidence to join the confidence ve In particular, the programme ued participation in regular ed in UCD sports clubs, in autumn y not ha olv v esult of this stud amme to date, ws that collabor gramme will provide the incentive for the incentive will provide gramme gr ticipation. ticipate in exercise'. success of the The o o 19 ho ma was designed to encourage those students those designed to encourage was w out of dropped sports have clubs or who of pressures due to various exercise regular time/study/finance. so successful that the pilot was The throughout to run continued programme rolled September 2006 and is has recently 2007. out for Dr Catherine Blake,Dr Catherine Head of the UCD School Science, and Performance of Physiotherapy sho and sportspeople can provide a solution to and sportspeople can provide of inactivity in our student the problem approaches fresh population and that more of the problem to solve are if we required are inactivity in our society. lie in a survey of the programme origins The were out with students who carried that was not in 2005. felt that they students reported The that the team sports and other programmes and not level at a competitive were on offer beginners. towards geared As a r 2006 to in January developed was programme increased concern and encourage this address par We would expect to see continued expect would We in these students’improvements profiles with contin activity.physical Hopefully,‘Get in Gear’ the pr these students to maintain an active lifestyle these students to maintain an active their time in UCD and furtherthroughout on in their lives'. of Sport,UCD Director Mr. Mullins Brian the demonstrate commented that 'the results for such a programme of running benefits those students that do not regularly par pr y UCD at a ceremony in O’Reilly Hall in December 2006. in O’Reilly y UCD at a ceremony b In recognition of his lifetime achievements which inspired and inspired which of his lifetime achievements In recognition continue to inspire the Irish nation and Irish people worldwide, to inspire continue es Ronnie Delany was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree an honorary Doctor with conferred was Delany Ronnie volved. scale in ws them access to all the encouraging given the time given encouraging h allo e issued feedback on their results. e issued feedback w that physical fitness levels fitness w that physical hic improvements were “very were improvements ded and lung function measur Caulfield commented that these Caulfield have also shown increases. also shown have Dr Brian d w ecor r strength and flexibility have been have flexibility and strength ive-week programme of activities,programme ive-week the measures. in body Improvements ain and ar esults sho statistically improve across a range of a range across improve statistically then offered a range of supervised fitness a range then offered the UCD Sports Centre.activities by Following a f back to be fitness-tested invited students are ag the for registers Each student who ‘Get in Gear’ a receives programme ID number and car the UCD sports and classes for facilities of the programme.duration also get They gym. Fitness guest passes to UCD Crunch R y are he T ve cti e assessed. A age increased exercise increased age hich is carried out by hich is carried r – Get eight ar o encour

e running a health promotion e running aluation w v e and w

diovascular fitness,diovascular lung function, blood gramme 2007 gramme essur . Brian Caulfield r UCD Get in Gea o itness e pr physiotherapists under the direction of under the direction physiotherapists of the UCD School Caulfield of Dr Brian Science. and Performance Physiotherapy strength, student's muscle The flexibility, car The programme involves an optional physical involves programme The f

The UCD Sports Centre and the UCD Sports UCD The Centre and Performance School of Physiotherapy Science ar programme,Active”, “Get in Gear - Get designed t participation of UCD students. UCD gets in gear UCD gets Dr and of Physiotherapy School Science fitnessPerformance testing fo Pr

Mass media and propaganda in the making of Cold War Europe

In January, over forty world experts from The event allowed a multi-disciplinary analysis Michael Nelson, who was diverse disciplines convened in UCD to of the workings of the media, their changing General Manager of discuss the role of the mass media in the technologies, content, audience and reception. Reuters from 1976 to Speakers examined propaganda campaigns of 1989. A volume of reinvention of Europe’s cultural identity in the early Cold War, the difficulties encountered the proceedings from the early Cold War years. and the successes. They brought into sharp the workshop will The three-day conference, organised by Dr focus the transformation of political culture be published in Christoph Müller and Dr Judith Devlin from the and consciousness. due course. UCD School of History and Archives, aimed to Key speakers included David Caute Prof Jane Curry, create links between young emerging scholars (Fellow, Royal Society of Literature) and University of Santa Clara, and their established colleagues from different Jane Curry (Santa Clara University, California). California; Mr Michael areas, above all from the ‘old’ and ‘new’ Europe, A particularly valuable talk on ‘International Nelson, ex-General but also North America. Radio in Cold War Europe’ was given by Manager of Reuters

Pictured l-r at the UCD candlelight vigil to mark World Aids Day on December 1st 2006: Dr Mary Robinson; Ms Noerine Kaleeba UN advisor on AIDS; Ms Mary Donohoe, founder of The Rose Project Memorandum of Agreement between UCD and Renmin University of China

At the end of January, a delegation from The following day, Professor Joe McMahon of UCD headed by Dr Philip Nolan, Registrar & UCD School of Law and Dr Liming Wang visited Deputy President, visited Renmin University the Schools of International Studies, Law, and of China (RUC) to sign the Memorandum of Teaching Chinese as Foreign Language. Their Agreement on Academic Co-operation discussions centred on the establishment of between UCD and RUC. They also then joint MA programmes in Contemporary China attended the first Executive Board Meeting Studies and cooperation between the two Law of UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland. Schools. Both sides agreed that programmes such as these at postgraduate level would be a RUC is one of the highest ranking universities in good starting point for further close China with particular expertise in the areas of cooperation across the full range. Theoretical Economics, Applied Economics, Journalism and Communication, Legal Studies, The visit was a milestone in the development and Sociology. Before the signing ceremony, of Chinese Studies in Ireland and comes shortly the delegation was greeted by Professor Ji after the establishment of a steering Baocheng, President of RUC, Professor Chen committee in December to launch the Yulu, Vice-President, and other relevant staff. Association for Chinese Studies in Ireland. The Association, with representatives from The signing ceremony was followed by the first UCD, Queens University Belfast and NUI Executive Board Meeting of UCD Confucius Maynooth, aims to encourage Chinese studies Institute for Ireland. At the meeting, Dr Liming in Ireland, in particular by stimulating research Wang was officially appointed by the Board as and teaching. Director of the Institute for the term of Signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Agreement on Academic Co-operation between UCD three years. and Renmin University of China

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