Visit of President Emmanuel Macron to Trinity College Dublin

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Ireland and Trinity College Dublin on Thursday August 26th. During his visit met with students to discuss topics that included post-COVID Europe, climate change and digital equality for all citizens. President Macron’s discussions with students was moderated by Vice-President for Global Relations Professor Juliette Hussey and took place in Trinity’s beautiful Public Theatre.

Our new Course Coordinator Dr. Donatella Camedda and two of our students, Lia Gogarty and Sean Byrne were invited to take part in this exciting event. Our student Lia had the honour of asking President Macron the very last question of the day in relation to equal access to technology for all students. Thank you to our Trinity Provost Dr. Linda Doyle for ensuring that all students were represented on the day.

Trinity Provost Dr. Linda Doyle welcomed the French President saying:

I am delighted to welcome President Macron to Trinity for a visit that gives us a chance to celebrate our abundant connections with his country. France is the most popular destination for Trinity’s Erasmus students, and we currently have exchange agreements with 42 French institutions.

Trinity is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) along with three French universities; Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay, and the University of Strasbourg. Between 2016 and 2020 Trinity collaborated with 266 French institutions and co-authored more than 1,100 co-publications.

And of course, Trinity is home to the oldest chair of French in the world, and its alumni include the renowned playwright Samuel Beckett, who lived in France for most of his life.

It is wonderful that our students have had the opportunity to discuss with President Macron some of the most important challenges we all face.