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Arts & Humanities

Arts and Culture


Katie Devlin: Fashion Researcher

Katie is a fashion journalist and strategist based in London. Before joining Stylus, she worked in New York at PSFK, Harper’s Bazaar and US Vogue, and in London at Karla Otto.

Studied: BA English Literature (2017)
Quote: My time as fashion editor at the University Observer provided me with skills I still use in my role today.


Neil Jordan: Film Maker / Writer

Neil Jordan is an acclaimed novelist and filmmaker. His work includes the Academy Award winning The Crying Game, The Butcher Boy and Michael Collins.

Studied: BA English & History (1972)
Quote: "Great lecturers, great encounters with the most arcane subjects"


Oriole Cullen: Costume Curator

Oriole joined the Victoria and Albert Museum, London in 2006 as the Curator of Fashion and Textiles.

Studied: BA Art History & English (1997), MA in the History of Dress
Quote: “It all started for me at UCD, at a wonderful seminar on dating paintings through costumes.”


Ruth O’Mahony-Brady: Musician & Producer

Ruth is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who has performed and recorded with a variety of artists across the music industry. She has toured all over the world with Glen Hansard.

Studied: BMus 2011
Quote: “UCD School of Music was a haven for me; a great space to engage with interesting subjects and fantastic lecturers.”


Sarah Costigan: Museum Director

Sarah joined the Little Museum of Dublin in 2012, initially as the Director of Development and is now Deputy Director.

Studied: BA English & Drama (2011), MA Cultural Policy & Arts Management
Quote: “UCD’s brilliant mix of academic and social experiences taught me the value of creative storytelling”


Sean Hayes: Assistant Project Editor

While at UCD Seán edited the student magazine OTwo. He worked for Lilliput Press and Gill Publishing before becoming Assistant Project Editor at Faber & Faber in London.

Studied: BA English Literature (2017)
Quote: “My time at UCD is something positive that I will treasure for years to come.”

Business and Innovation


Aoifa Smyth: Senior Account Manager

Inspired by her time as Fashion Editor of UCD’s College Tribune, Aoifa now works as a content creator at The Collaborations Agency. Previously she worked as a Social Influcencer at Londonbased agency Eight&Four.

Studied: BA English & Irish Folkore (2011), MA Fashion & Lifestyle Journalism
Quote: "I found my tribe with the College Tribune."


Conor MacAndrew: Innovation Designer

Conor works at The Dock, Accenture's Global Centre for Innovation where he helps clients solve their biggest strategic challenges.

Studied: BA History & Politics (2011), MSc European & Public Affairs
Quote: “I learnt two essential skills for a career in innovation: creativity and adaptability.”


Dalton Philips: CEO

Before joining DAA as CEO, Dalton worked for Walmart. He is on the board of ACI Europe.

Studied: BA Geography & Classics (1990), MBA
Quote: "Put your head down, work hard and suck the absolute marrow out of your course.”


Fiona Mullan: Chief People Office

Fiona is CPO at Ding.com. Previously she worked as VP HR at Facebook and as HR Director at Microsoft.

Studied: BA History & Politics (1990) > MSc Political Economy
Quote: “Do something that you love, because you’ll bring that into everything you do.”


Jonny Davis: Marketing Specialist

Jonny is co-founder of live marketing agency Honey + Buzz. He previously worked at a range of leading PR agencies in Dublin and New York.

Studied: BA History & Economics (2003), MSc Marketing & Entrepreneurship
Quote: “I developed creatively, gained fresh perspectives and made lifelong friends whilst studying at UCD.”


Ruth Ni Loinsigh: Business Owner

Ruth is founder of vintage and contemporary fashion retailer Om Diva, which promotes more than 30 emerging Irish fashion labels and designers.

Studied: BA German & Italian
Quote: “My degree in International Languages gave me the confidence to travel and work abroad.”

Government and Public Sector


Amy Gargan: Programmes Assistant

Amy works with Science Foundation Ireland. Her interest in Public Policy was sparked at UCD.

Studied: BA English & History (2017), Master of Public Policy
Quote: “History taught me to understand why things happen, English showed me that everything has a deeper meaning.”


Daniel Kearns: Administrative Officer

Danny works in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit of the Department of Education, having previously worked as a Fund Accountant at Irish Life.

Studied: BA in History & Greek & Roman Civilisation (2013) , MA in Classics (2014)
Quote: "Flexibility, creativity and imagination are key skills that UCD enabled me to develop.”


Hazel Chu: Lord Mayor of Dublin

Hazel worked as Marketing Consultant at Bórd Bia and as Head of Communications at Diageo. She is now a Green Party Councillor and Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Studied: BA History & Politics 2002, Legal Diploma, MBA
Quote: “My degree has given me the ability to think outside the box.”


Jim Maher: Social Media Producer

Jim works in Brussels at the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communications.

Studied: BA Irish & German (2011), MA Irish
Quote: “UCD truly is Ireland’s global university. Wherever in the world your degree takes you, your memories will never leave.”


John McGuinness: Teacher

John teaches History and Politics for Leaving Certificate, at a new school in Greystones.

Studied: BA History & Politics (2014), Professional Masters in Education
Quote: “Above all participate in UCD life. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”


Marion R. Casey: Associate Professor

Marion is Director of Undergraduate Studies at Glucksman Ireland House, New York University. She studied in UCD before completing further studies in NYU.

Studied: BA English & History (1983), MA & PhD in History
Quote: “Never fear! Your interests may change and lead you in a totally new direction, and that’s OK.”

Law and Advocacy


Alex Ryan: Solicitor

After graduating, Alex continued his studies at King’s Inns, Dublin, where he qualified as a Solicitor.

Studied: BA History & Greek & Roman Civilisation (2011), MA Classics (2019)
Quote: “Studying Greek & Roman Civilisation was a major highlight for me at UCD.”


Amy Woods: Comms. Manager

Amy manages communications and advocacy for Volunteer Ireland, supporting and promoting volunteering across the country.

Studied: BA Intl. English & Spanish (2008)
Quote: “My time at UCD helped me develop independent and critical thinking skills which have shaped how I work today.”


Emily O’Reilly: European Ombudsman

After an award-winning career in journalism, Emily became Ireland’s first female Ombudsman in 2003 and was elected European Ombudsman in 2013.

Studied: BA French & Spanish (1979)
Quote: “You simply never know where a humanities degree can lead you.”


John McMenamin: Supreme Court Judge

John was called to the bar in 1975 after studying at King’s Inns. He was appointed a High Court judge in 2004, and to the Supreme Court in 2012.

Studied: BA (Hons.) History (1973)
Quote: “Studying History taught me the value of context. In History, as in Law, context is everything.”


Lewis Quigley: NGO Information Officer

Lewis has worked with the UN, Oxfam, Plan International and now Concern Worldwide in a variety of advocacy and information roles.

Studied: BA History & Politics 2014, MSc. Development Practice
Quote: “The opportunity to debate and question prevailing narratives is invaluable.”


Michelle Connolly: Research Officer

Michelle works for the Dublin Simon Community, researching and advocating for the most vulnerable people in our society.

Studied: BA History & Spanish (2015), MA International Relations (2016)
Quote: “No matter what you study, the skills you develop during your degree will be applicable to any career path.”

Marketing and Communications


Aifric Connolly: PR Manager

Aifric has a background in Digital Marketing and worked at a variety of Social Media agencies before joining Lidl.

Studied: BA English & French 2015
Quote: “When I’m writing press releases or statements I use the exact skills I developed when I was studying.”


Conor Friel : Brand Ambassador

Conor works as a Brand Ambassador for Jameson in Argentina.

Studied: BA French & Spanish (2016), MSc Advertising
Quote: “Having a second and third language is always an amazing asset and has helped me secure my dream job!"


Jack Lahart: Head of Social Media

Before joining The Economist, Jack worked as a Parliamentary Researcher in Seanad Éireann.

Studied: BA History & Politics (2013) > MSc International Relations
Quote: “At UCD I gained an ability to deconstruct global trends and understand the world around me.”


Kieran O’Driscoll: Copywriter

Kieran is an award-winning copywriter in Rothco, part of Accenture Interactive. His brand portfolio includes AIB, Heineken, and FREE NOW.

Studied: BA English & History (2010), MA American Literature (2011)
Quote: “UCD taught me the value of sharing my thoughts with others - it’s often where great creative ideas get their start.”


Laura Costello: Senior Strategist

Laura worked in a variety of PR and marketing roles before Joining Thinkhouse, the youth marketing agency.

Studied: BA English & Philosophy (2013), MPhil in Popular Literature
Quote: "Studying human existence through Philosophy and literature at UCD is one of the most rewarding things I ever did.”


Michael O’Keeffe: CEO

Michael is CEO of Teneo Ireland, a global specialist in corporate communications, brand strategy, marketing and sponsorship.

Studied: BA History & Politics (1998), MA European Studies
Quote: “My education in UCD encouraged me to be deeply inquisitive and to seek new ways to solve problems.”

Media and Journalism


Amy O’Brien: Assistant Producer

Amy worked in RTÉ and is now TV producer for The Tonight Show at Virgin Media. She started her broadcast career at, UCD’s radio station, Belfield FM.

Studied: BA History & Politics (2015), MA Broadcast Production
Quote: “My degree has been an essential foundation to my understanding of everything in the political world.”


Christina Finn: Political Reporter

Christina worked as a political reporter for the Journal.ie for three years before being appointed Political Correspondent in 2019.

Studied: BA English & Art History (2006), MA Arts Administration & Cultural Policy
Quote: “Returning to UCD for my Masters helped teach me about the business side of the art world.”


Dee Reddy: Podcaster & Broadcaster

Dee is resident podcaster at Intercom and a contributor for The Last Word on Today FM. Previously she worked at Newstalk.

Studied: BA History (2004)
Quote: “The world opened up for me at UCD; academically, socially and professionally. Relish your time there.”


Fintan O’Toole: Columnist / Writer

Fintan is one of Ireland’s most renowned journalists and influential public intellectuals, who writes across a broad range of topics including politics, history, culture and the arts.

Studied: BA English & Philosophy (1978)
Quote: “The teachers that I encountered here are still models for my thinking.”


Jack Power: News Reporter

After editing the UCD College Tribune, Jack became a staff reporter for The Irish Times. In 2019 he won national Young Journalist of the Year.

Studied: BA History & Politics (2016)
Quote: “Studying History and Politics was crucial in learning how to really think critically, pick apart issues, and ask the right questions.”


Ryan Tubridy: Broadcaster

Ryan is one of Ireland’s leading media figures and presents his daily radio show The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 on RTÉ Radio 1 as well as The Late Late Show on RTÉ One.

Studied: BA History & Classics (1994)
Quote: “Studying History develops your curiosity, and gives you a great grounding for life.”

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