University College Dublin: Class Profile & Alumni

University College Dublin Alumni

International Students

25

% of international students in the university

9500

Total International Students in the university

As Ireland’s largest university, UCD has educated world‑changing writers, Olympic champions, architects, public servants, and tech pioneers. Here's a rounded snapshot of standout alumni across various fields—from fiction and architecture to sports and science:

Alumni Name	Notable Achievement / Famous For	Degree	Graduating Year
James Joyce	Author of Ulysses, pioneer of stream‑of‑consciousness technique	BA (English, French & Italian)	1902
Gabriel Byrne	Golden Globe–winning actor (In Treatment)	Attended	N/A
Chris O’Dowd	Actor (The IT Crowd, Bridesmaids); writer/director of Moone Boy	Attended	N/A
Yvonne Farrell	Pritzker Prize–winning architect; co-founder of Grafton Architects	BA Architecture	1974
Shelley McNamara	Pritzker Prize–winning architect; Grafton Architects partner	BA Architecture	1974
Eimear Lambe	Olympic bronze medal rower (Tokyo 2020); Ad Astra Scholar & UCD alumnus awardee	BComm Int	2019
Rena Buckley	Most decorated GAA sportswoman; physiotherapist & MSc holder	BSc Physiotherapy, MSc Sports Physio	2009, 2018
Lochlann Quinn	Business leader & philanthropist; UCD Quinn School benefactor	BComm	1962
Orla Feely	First female President of UCD; pioneering engineer & IEEE fellow	BE (Electronic Engineering)	1986
Fintan O’Toole	Renowned journalist & public intellectual (Irish Times)	BA English & Philosophy	1978
Ryan Tubridy	Leading Irish media personality (The Late Late Show, RTÉ Radio 1)	BA History & Classics	1994
Niall Breslin (Bressie)	Musician, mental‑health advocate, author, UCD Alumni Award winner	BA, MSc	2003, 2019
Sandra Collins	Director of National Library of Ireland; digital‑culture pioneer	BSc, PhD	1991, 1996
Jack McCaffrey	GAA All‑Star footballer & paediatric doctor	MB BCh BAO	2018
Dave Rudden	Writer (Doctor Who anthologies), fantasy author with ITV adaptation	MA Creative Writing	2013
Ailbhe Darcy	Award‑winning poet (Roland Mathias, Pigott Prizes)	BA French & English, MSc	2004, 2007
Colm Tóibín	Novelist & professor; author of Brooklyn and Chancellor of University of Liverpool	BA (English & History)	1975
Jonathan Sexton	World Rugby Player of the Year 2018; Ireland rugby captain	BComm	2012
Josh van der Flier	Irish Rugby 15s Player of the Year 2023	BSc Sports & Exercise Management	2017
Consolata Boyle	Oscar‑nominated costume designer (Queen, Victoria & Abdul)	BA Archaeology, History & English	1972
Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin	Academic/broadcaster; Maths Week Ireland awardee	BSc Physics	2005