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The Bridge: Alumni Newsletter

Gifts that Outlast a Lifetime: Leaving a Legacy

11 Sep 2025

For many alumni, UCC was the place where their ambitions took root, a career was launched, and lifelong bonds were forged. A legacy gift is a way to carry that spirit forward, turning personal gratitude into opportunities that will inspire and empower generations yet to come.

September 13 is International Legacy Giving Day, an opportunity for charities worldwide to acknowledge the life-changing power of legacy gifts and invite individuals to shape the future by including gifts in their wills to causes close to their hearts.

To mark the occasion, UCC and Cork University Foundation have created a new Legacy BrochureYour Legacy. UCC's Future: A Lasting Investment, a guide for anyone thinking about making a lasting contribution to the university community.

Inside are stories from alumni and friends who have chosen to remember UCC in their wills, alongside clear advice on how you can make a legacy of your own. Their experiences show how a legacy gift is not just financial but is a way of expressing belief in education, research, and opportunity.

“The university added value during my formative undergraduate years, and I left with my degree and the confidence that I could make a difference in the world,” says John Fitzgerald, BE Civil Eng 1984. “I have made a legacy gift to UCC as I will always be grateful for my education.”

A legacy gift needn’t be large: gifts of all sizes can make a substantial impact. They can support scholarships, groundbreaking research, the preservation of UCC’s unique heritage, or any area at the university that is meaningful to you. However your gift is directed, it ensures that the benefits of a UCC education continue to reach new generations.

If leaving a legacy gift for UCC is something you are considering, informing UCC Advancement and Cork University Foundation is an important first step. We can help you make the most of your generosity and ensure the impact is realised in the way you intend.

If you would like to discuss a gift, in confidence, please contact Matt Hamilton, Head of Transformational Philanthropy, at matt.hamilton@ucc.ie or +353 (0)21 420 5402.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all who have pledged a legacy gift to the university, as well as to those considering this meaningful step. Your generosity is helping to secure the future of UCC. We also wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the supporters whose thoughtful input guided the creation of the Legacy Brochure. Your contributions are invaluable. 

Download the Legacy Brochure Your Legacy. UCC's Future: A Lasting Investment

Advancement Office

An Oifig Cothaithe

Cork University Foundation is incorporated in Ireland as a limited liability company and a registered charity (CRN: 243605, RCN: 20033385, CHY11831). Room 2.12, Western Gateway Building, Western Road, Cork, T12 XF62

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