Origins of the Maurice Kennedy Research Centre
Following the introduction of compulsory retirement of University College Dublin staff aged 65 and over, a ‘Faculty of Arts Task Force on Retired Staff’ with Dr Anngret Simms as Chairperson, was established in 1987. The committee consulted with retired staff regarding the provision of facilities they would consider desirable to remain active in research and to continue participation in the University Academic Community in a meaningful way.
The Task Force in a final report recommended to the President the provision of an Emeritus Staff Research Centre (ESRC) for retired staff of UCD, who wish to continue in active research and private study in the College. It was proposed that the Centre could also provide a base from which retired staff could continue to interact with former colleagues and students, and a professional address for the purpose of publishing, participation in conferences and facilitating contacts with other institutions. All retired staff would be entitled to apply for membership which should be free of charge.
Photos: Professor Maurice Kennedy, Professor K.B. Nowlan and Rev. Professor Michael Nolan.
The President approved these recommendations and the ESRC was established and located in Room B 102 in the Newman Building. Dr. Masterson launched the Retired Staff Centre in the Maurice Kennedy Room on 14 June 1988 and nominated Professor K. B. Nowlan chairman of the ESRC committee.
In addition to providing a research facility and a base for members, a Spring lecture series, an annual lunch associated with the AGM and visits to places of interest were included in a Programme of Activities.
In 1994 the Centre was re-named the Maurice Kennedy Research Centre (MKRC). Professor Kennedy was a former member of staff in the Department of Mathematics and Registrar of UCD. The Programme of the Centre was further extended by Rev. Professor Michael Nolan, Honorary Secretary, who worked wholeheartedly on behalf of the membership. Following the death of Monsignor Nolan in 2009, coordinators for the organisation of special events and administration were appointed by the committee.
The Centre now caters for the research, educational, cultural, and social interests of the members and an efficient Communication Network now exists.
The Centre is the first facility for retired university staff to be established in Ireland and has recently been re-named the UCD Retired Staff Association: Maurice Kennedy Research Centre.
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