Taoiseach Micheál Martin Celebrates The 25th Anniversary Of Maynooth University As An Independent Institution

The Taoiseach also officially opened the new Technology, Society and Innovation (TSI) Building

Taoiseach Micheál Martin today visited Maynooth University for a celebration to mark its 25th anniversary as an independent institution.

The Taoiseach also officially opened the new Technology, Society and Innovation (TSI) Building, Maynooth’s landmark infrastructural development designed to enhance the University’s excellence in research, education and skills development for future generations.

Spanning 10,500 square meters, the University’s latest high tech hub will house living labs and break out rooms for interactive research; three large theatres of 500, 300 and 250-seat capacity, and research spaces for students, academics and collaboration with industry partners.

It also includes a spacious outdoor plaza alongside for gatherings, cultural activities, events and performances.

This latest capital development on the University’s North Campus will help to meet the capacity needs of a rapidly growing student population, rising to 15,000 this year, from 4,000 in 1997 when Maynooth was established as an independent institution.

The €48 million TSI Building is a landmark edifice and part of an overall €57 million capital development project that includes modernisation and expansion of the Arts and Sciences buildings on the University’s North Campus. The capital project was made possible by €25 million from the Government's Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund announced in 2019.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, TD, commented: "Maynooth has always played a pivotal role in Ireland’s education system, and its influence has grown nationally and globally, making a significant and distinctive impact on Irish society.

"This is a fantastic resource and innovation space for future generations to study, explore and contribute to Ireland’s workforce and innovation needs, as we move towards a digitally advanced and sustainability-focused society. Maynooth University offers important strengths in those areas and I look forward to the contributions of its graduates and its academics over the next 25 years and beyond.”

Maynooth University President, Professor Eeva Leinonen, said: “A key strength of Maynooth University is exploring the interaction between technology and humans to the benefit of society, everything from drone technology to data privacy, and climate change.

"So, it is incredibly fitting today, as we celebrate a quarter of a century as an independent university, that we open the Technology, Society and Innovation Building, showcasing those strengths and signifying our embrace of the future," she said.

Chairperson of the Maynooth University Governing Authority, Dr Mary Canning, said: “As the student population of Maynooth University expands to over 15,000, the impact of this landmark building will be of huge importance to the education of our students, and to academics and partners in advancing research and innovation.

"Since first established as an independent university, Maynooth has been essential in meeting the demands of a growing population across the Mid-East, Midlands and West Dublin region in particular.

"The increased capacity offered by the TSI Building will allow us to continue to do so well into the future," said Canning.

In line with Maynooth University’s green campus and sustainability approach, the TSI Building is heated by air source heat pumps, and includes green roofs, a solar PV array, and rainwater harvesting.

Designed as a ‘Nearly Zero Energy Building’ (NZEB), the TSI Building is expected to achieve Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design (EXEED) and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) “very good” certification.