2009 UL President’s Gala Dinner takes place
published on May 15th, 2009
Many key business and community leaders came out in support of the sixth annual UL President’s Gala Dinner, which was held in Dromoland Castle on Friday, May 15th. Organised by the University of Limerick Foundation, proceeds from this year’s event benefited a Limerick community outreach project entitled ‘Having a Voice in Regeneration’.
Organised by the University of Limerick Foundation, proceeds from this year’s event benefited a Limerick community outreach project entitled ‘Having a Voice in Regeneration’. Initiated by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UL, the project involves using the best academic expertise and facilities at the University to produce the first on-campus newspaper for a disadvantaged community in a Regeneration area, called the ‘Moyross Voice’. The other elements of the project include a conference and follow up workshops empowering over 250 women from the area to directly influence the Regeneration process and on-campus training for those in Regeneration areas to provide them with the expertise they need to produce their own newspaper.
Speaking at the Dinner, UL President, Professor Don Barry said, “Making a positive contribution to the region is an intrinsic part of this University’s agenda. It is part of the UL DNA to support the economic, social and cultural development of the region and we are working collectively with the community to help those most in need of assistance so they can find their voice and use it to create the kind of city we should have. The University of Limerick is happy to play its part in creating the New Limerick - a Limerick that is vibrant, growing and positive… proud of its traditions but not limited by them… open to the potential the future holds… and inclusive and respectful of all its citizens”.
Sponsoring this year’s event were Ulster Bank, Federal Security Group and Lenmac Services. Ulster Bank has close links with the University of Limerick following the opening of a branch on campus in September 2005. Tom Leahy, Regional Director of Ulster Bank added, “We are delighted to continue supporting the University of Limerick and the Foundation through our sponsorships and in particular through the establishment of the Ulster Bank Enablement fund, which was established following our arrival to UL in 2005. This fund supports the University’s clubs and societies, student development, its Alumni activities and other worthy on-campus projects. The students who started in the University in 2005 when we opened our branch will be graduating in August of this year and would like to take this opportunity to wish them well for the future.”
Other sponsors of the event included Federal Security Group who have been working in partnership with UL for over five years and Lenmac Services who are celebrating 30 years of continuous service at UL this year. Lenmac Services look after the mechanical maintenance needs of the University.
A number of high-profile business leaders attended the event, including Peter Malone, Gordon Holmes, Michael Houlihan, Dan Tierney, John Reihill and Hugh Murray, as well as several sports personalities including Seán Óg Ó hÁilpín of Ulster Bank and Keith Wood.