The 2026 UK-Ireland Alumni Reception is taking place on Thursday 5 February 2026 at University College Cork (UCC). This networking event will bring together alumni, academic leaders and senior representatives from across the UK-Ireland education, government and civil society landscape.
This event has become a highlight of UK-Ireland engagement in recent years and provides a unique opportunity for alumni to reconnect, network and celebrate their shared experiences.
Guests will hear from key speakers including the President of UCC, Professor John O’Halloran; the British Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission to Ireland, Patrick Reilly; Ireland’s Consul General to Scotland, Jerry O’Donovan; the British Council’s Global Head Student Mobility & Internationalisation of UK Education, Catriona McCarthy; and Head of UCC’s College of Business and Law, Professor Thia Hennessy.
The evening will feature discussions on the impact of UK-Ireland higher education on careers and society and highlight the achievements of alumni across a wide range of sectors.
The reception also showcases the British Council’s Alumni UK network, which supports UK-educated alumni in Ireland to engage with networks, professional opportunities and international collaborations.
This is an evening to connect, celebrate and explore the continuing links between UK and Irish higher education, and we warmly invite all Irish alumni from UK universities to join us. The evening will conclude with a networking reception in the historic surroundings of UCC’s Aula Maxima.
For any enquiries, please contact Katarina.Loedel@britishcouncil.org.