Healthy UCC launches the SunSmart Initiative across the campus

20 Apr 2026

Healthy UCC has launched the pilot Sun Smart Initiative, with suncream dispenser boards installed in five locations across campus: The Hub, the Mardyke Pavillion, Western Gateway Building, North Mall Enterprise Centre and the Student Centre. With skin cancer the most common type of cancer in Ireland today, the initiative ensures that suncream is available on campus for students, staff and the wider community to use when needed. The Initiative is a collaboration between the HSE and UCC.  

Running until October 2026, the initiative is an important step to enhancing the campus as a healthy and supportive environment, where students, staff and the wider community can make healthy choices around sun protection.

The Sun Smart Initiative addresses UCC’s commitment to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Healthy Campus Framework in advancing the objective on Healthy UCC in the Strategic Plan.  The initiative encourages everyone to adopt simple everyday actions to protect their skin, such as using broad spectrum suncream, wearing protective clothing and seeking shade. The campaign also highlights the need to limit time in the sun when UV levels are highest typically between 11am and 3 pm. For more information on sun protection, please refer to the HSE’s online content. 

The Sun Smart Initiative is a collaboration between the HSE Cancer Prevention Office, with close engagement with Shirley O’Shea as the HSE Cancer Prevention Officer, and the Healthy UCC team. Aligned with the HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Healthy Ireland national public health policy, the initiative seeks to encourage all students, staff and the wider community to enjoy the good weather whilst being sun smart.  

Healthy UCC are thankful for the opportunity to reuse two dispensers kindly donated by the HSE. Sincere thanks to Buildings and Estates for installing the dispensers and, in some instances where possible, repurposing wooden frames that previously held hand sanitiser containers, to hold the suncream dispensers, addressing key Healthy UCC with Green Campus priorities. Many thanks to Professor Patricia Kearney for her leadership on the initiative.  

This initiative will provide UCC campus with various suncream dispensers and boards indicating the UV-Index. There will be 5 suncream dispensers located across campus (red dots are highlighted on the map below):

1. Walk-Way connecting WGB and Main Campus
2. Main Campus outside of Boole Library
3. Main Campus outside of the Student Center
4. Near the pitches at the Mardyke Arena
5. North Mall Campus

Please feel free to email healthyucc@ucc.ie with any feedback or questions. Healthy UCC are in the process of setting up our social media account. In the meantime, if you use the suncream dispensers, please feel free to tag #HealthyUCC and #SunSmart on social media as it would be great to see the dispensers in use!