University College Cork welcomes European Commission

3 Jul 2026

University College Cork (UCC) recently welcomed the College of Commissioners to campus, marking the beginning of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

During the two-day visit, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, toured UCC’s historic campus, including the Glucksman Gallery and Honan Chapel, showcasing the University’s rich cultural and academic heritage.

UCC students, including newly capped Ireland international rugby player and Applied Economics student, Edwin Odogbo, Cork camogie player and BEd Physical Education, Sports Studies & Arts student Méabh Murphy, and Government & Politics student Robyn Murphy, engaged with visiting dignitaries during the visit, while international media visited UCC’s Sustainability Institute to learn about its pioneering research in renewable energy, including wave, tidal and offshore wind innovation.

The dignitaries also toured UCC's flagship research centre, Tyndall National Institute. This visit showcased research excellence and innovation, highlighting Tyndall's role in world-leading semiconductor research and demonstrating what Irish research offers Europe in areas that will define future competitiveness. It coincided with the announcement of a major expansion of the institute, marking a significant milestone for Ireland's research, innovation and semiconductor ambitions which aligns with UCC’s ambitious Futures strategy, in which Quantum and Photonics forms a key pillar. The expansion will attract the very best global talent to develop the next generation of semiconductor technology in a world-class facility at UCC.