Maynooth Alumni

"It’s fantastic to be back on campus for the alumni reunion. I’ve been lucky to have come back a number of times over the last few of years and it’s always really energising to see so many more students and so much happening around the place.

Maynooth has been critical to me. I hadn’t intended to go to university until somebody encouraged me to apply. It was a new experience, as no one in my family had been to university until then. Maynooth to me, was a springboard, enabling me to get into things I would have never dreamed about. It gave me that foundation. Most importantly it gave me a love of learning, that I continued on.

The values that I’ve carried with me since graduation are those of kinship and friendship. The friends I’m with here today are the same friends that I had in first year back in 1993. There are very few universities that have that type of close bond." Markis Duggan (1997 BSc)

Come back to celebrate with the friends you made at MU and visit the campus that shaped your journey at Maynooth University Alumni Reunion this September. Get your tickets here: http://mu.ie/alumnireunion2026-tickets

Alum Maitiú Costello’s (2016 BBA) journey from Maynooth University to Australia, then Canada, and finally the global stage of professional sport is a testament to the fulfillment of childhood dreams. Reflecting on his current role with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Maitiú says, “Any day can be different. The benefit of my job is that I was able to go and get a broad range of experience in Vancouver.” That breadth of experience has now opened an extraordinary door: a secondment with FIFA for the upcoming World Cup.
Read Maitiú’s full profile in The Bridge 2026 now 👉
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✨ Calling all MU Alumni Volunteers ✨

You are warmly invited to our MU Alumni Volunteering Appreciation Evening - a special celebration dedicated to recognising the incredible impact, support, and engagement you bring to our community.

Whether you’ve mentored students, shared your story in a graduate profile or social media campaign, or given an alumni talk on campus, your contributions strengthen the connections that continue to shape Maynooth University’s future.

The event takes place on campus on Thursday, 21 May from 6.30pm - 8.30pm. Register to attend here: http://mu.ie/volunteer-event

Maynooth University Alumni Reunion is the perfect chance to reconnect with classmates, relive great memories, and celebrate together ❤️🎉
If you haven’t booked your ticket yet, don’t miss out on the Early Bird discount. Use code MU26EB for €10 off until 29 May 👉 http://mu.ie/alumnireunion2026-tickets 👉 http://mu.ie/alumnireunion2026-tickets

Maynooth University Alumni Reunion 2026 Come back to campus on Saturday, 5 September 2026 for the Maynooth University Alumni Reunion. This year we are celebrating graduates from 2016, 2006, 1996, 1...

📣 Introducing Maynooth University Alumni Book Club!📚
The book club was launched this past weekend at The Literary Lounge at this year’s Arts and Minds Festival, an event which featured two MU Edie May Hand (2023 MA) and Tanya Sweeney (1997 BA). The book club - a collaboration between the Development and Alumni Relations Office and the Department of English - is designed to bring graduates together to explore great books and engage in meaningful conversations.

Participation in the book club is completely free and open exclusively to MU alumni. Members will meet online in private evening sessions. This allows alumni from across the globe to take part 🌏 All that you need is an internet connection and a passion for reading!

If you want to find out more or sign up to join, visit 👉 mu.ie/alumni-book-club

“The support and flexibility of my lecturers made it possible for me to complete my degree and show that one tough chapter early on doesn’t define the whole story.”
Like many students, alum Joanne Berry (2001 BA) faced personal challenges during her time at MU, and her academic performance initially reflected that. What made the difference was the understanding shown by her lecturers. That experience laid the groundwork for a mindset she still carries with her in her role today as Senior Vice President, Global Head Business Information & Advanced Analytics at Sompo in New York.
Read Joanne’s full profile in The Bridge 2026 now 👉
mu.ie/thebridge2026

You've got mail! ✉️ Your monthly MU Alumni e-newsletter, The M4 has just landed in your inbox 📥 Read the latest news and updates from your MU alumni community this May 😀 If you aren't on the mailing list, you can update your contact details here 👉 mu.ie/update-your-details

With over two decades in the luxury and lifestyle space, alum Gavin Manley (1998 HDip) has built a reputation for crafting language that moves people. His portfolio spans national campaigns, global rebrands, digital experiences, and editorial storytelling. Joining one of the leading fashion advertising agencies in New York in 2003 was “an eye-opening experience for a young Dubliner”. The agency handled campaigns for iconic brands like Valentino, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana. “I still remember feeling starstruck meeting names like Donna Karan and Bradley Cooper. I worked hard and steadily rose through the ranks as the agency grew.” Read Gavin’s full profile in The Bridge 2026 now 👉
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Is cainteoir dúchais í Síle Denvir, chéimí (2002 BA), ó Ghaeltacht Chonamara atá tiomanta don amhránaíocht ar an sean-nós agus don cheol Gaelach a chaomhnú agus a chothú agus a thabhairt do lucht éisteachta i gcóngair agus I gcéin sa 25 bliain ó bhain sí céim amach ó OMN sa Nua-Ghaeilge agus sa Cheol. Ní hamháin gur cleachtóir í Síle a ainmníodh mar Amhránaí na Bliana ag Gradam Ceoil TG4 sa bhliain 2023 agus a d’eisigh albam aoibhinn ardmholta dar teideal Anamnesis an bhliain chéanna ach is scoláire idirdhisciplíneach agus Ollamh Comhlach in DCU í chomh maith atá tar éis saineolas a bhaint amach i dtraidisiún an tsean-nóis agus sna hamhránaithe sean-nóis.
Léigh próifíl iomlán Shíle in The Bridge 2026 anois 👉
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📸 Myriam Riand


A native Irish speaker from the Connemara Gaeltacht, alum Síle Denvir (2002 BA) has spent the 25 years since she graduated from MU with a degree in Modern Irish and Music preserving, nurturing and bringing sean-nós singing and Irish music traditions to a wider listenership all over the world. Not only is Síle a practitioner herself who was named Singer of the Year at Gradam Ceoil TG4 2023 and released her beautiful, critically acclaimed album Anamnesis that same year, but she is also an interdisciplinary scholar and Associate Professor in DCU, an expert in the sean-nós singing tradition and singers.
Read Síle’s full profile in the The Bridge 2026 now 👉
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📸

Tickets for Maynooth University Alumni Reunion 2026 are officially ON SALE now!🥳
This year we are celebrating alumni who graduated 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago (that is Classes of 2016, 2006, 1996, 1986 and 1976). But as always, ALL alumni are welcome to join in the celebrations.

Whether it’s been a few years or a few decades, this is your moment to come back together 💙 Use Early Bird discount code MU26EB for €10 off the ticket price until May 29th. Get your tickets here: http://mu.ie/alumnireunion2026-tickets

Sport at Maynooth University continues to thrive - now recognised with national accreditation for supporting student-athletes balancing elite competition and study 🏆

From championship wins in soccer and GAA to standout performances in rugby and golf, MU’s strong sporting culture is built on support, opportunity, and success.

Read more in The Bridge 2026 now 👉https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/assets/document/The%20Bridge%202026_Digital.pdf =43
📸 of MU scholarship athlete Ellie Brady