Research & Innovation

For over 70 years, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) has been at the forefront of the food and drink industry, in Ireland and internationally, producing many generations of innovators in culinary arts and entrepreneurship. As TU Dublin prepares for an exciting future on the new Grangegorman campus, two of Ireland’s leading food businesses, Country Crest and Ballymaguire Foods, have announced a new partnership with the University.

Building on the legacy of Cathal Brugha Street, a range of culinary programmes at TU Dublin will have a new home in the Central Quad at the very heart of the Grangegorman campus from September 2020. With the support of Country Crest and Ballymaguire Foods, state-of-the-art training restaurants will be incorporated into the development, creating a world-class learning environment for students and contributing to the transformation of the campus.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Hoey, Managing Director of Country Crest, said: “Country Crest is exceptionally proud of its close relationship with TU Dublin, and we are excited to partner with the University at a time when the food sector is changing. Despite the remaining uncertainties of Brexit, the Irish food sector must now look to new and emerging markets in preparation for a possible reduction in trade with our closest neighbours. To respond to these market changes, we need more graduates equipped with the knowledge and business acumen required to develop innovative food products that the global consumer demands. The new TU Dublin development at Grangegorman will deliver a world centre of excellence for Food and Drink capable of producing generations of culinary pioneers to come.”

Ed Spelman, Managing Director at Ballymaguire Foods, expressed his delight at his firm’s partnership with TU Dublin. “Ireland is famous across the globe for its high-quality food products, a reputation that is underpinned by the high calibre of TU Dublin culinary graduates. There is no doubt that our industry is facing significant challenges, but with adversity comes opportunity! It is therefore timely that we announce this strategic partnership with TU Dublin, as it prepares to develop a high-tech educational environment which will foster the creativity of students and prepare them for careers in an industry driven by innovation.”

Welcoming the announcement, TU Dublin President, Professor David FitzPatrick said: “This is great news for our current and future students in the area of Food and Drinks.  The partnership announced today with Country Crest and Ballymaguire Foods will provide those students with access to world-class facilities on our new campus when the Central Quad opens in September 2020.  At that point, students of Culinary Arts and Food Technology will be co-located with students of Sciences and Health, Arts and Tourism and Electrical and Electronic Engineering, creating an exciting campus community of over 10,000 students and 600 staff, and facilitating opportunities for greater collaboration and synergies between disciplines.  We are delighted that Country Crest and Ballymaguire Foods will play a part in that future.”

CAPTION:

Pictured L-R: Ed Spelman, Managing Director at Ballymaguire Foods; Michael Hoey, Managing Director of Country Crest; TU Dublin students – Erin McElwee and Isobel Maher – TU Dublin President, Professor David FitzPatrick and Dr Frank Cullen, Head, School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology at TU Dublin – City Campus.