Papers of James Meenan – Move of UCD to Belfield

Foreword

We all welcome the decision of the Government to provide for the accommodation needs of University College, Dublin. But whether the new College should be built in the City centre or in the suburbs is hotly debated, and raises issues of great importance for the future of higher education in Dublin.

This pamphlet, which is the work of a research group organised by the Dublin Branch of Tuairim, argues that the proposal to move U.C.D. to the Stillorgan Road is undesirable and unnecessary.

As with other Tuairim pamphlets, the views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of Tuairim as a whole.

This pamphlet was originally circulated in stencilled form to members of the Government as well as to educational leaders and other prominent citizens. It attracted considerable attention and was widely accepted as an outstanding contribution towards a solution of the problem with which it deals.

Initially we shrank from the cost of printing the pamphlet, but many of those who read the stencilled copies thought the argument presented so important that they pressed us strongly to give the general public a chance to read it in full. Members of the College staff, graduates and other persons interested in the welfare of the College and the City offered us generous financial support and we decided to go ahead and print.

Tuairim (the name is derived from the Irish word meaning 'opinion') was founded some years ago to encourage young people to formulate, by means of study and discussion, informed opinions on Irish problems, and to influence by means of lectures, writings and speeches, the opinions of the public.

At present Tuairim has eight branches, and others are in the course of formation. The names of secretaries of the existing and the contemplated branches are given on the back cover. Each secretary will be glad to hear from anyone interested in joining the branch in his area.

Anyone interested in buying pamphlets, or in contributing towards the cost of the present or future pamphlets, or in finding out more about the general work of Tuairim should contact the Hon. General Secretary.

13a, Brookville Park, Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin. Telephone 337670

Donal Barrington President January 1960

L956/1182

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN AND THE FUTURE

A MEMORANDUM FROM A RESEARCH GROUP OF TUAIRIM, DUBLIN BRANCH

on

THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ACCOMMODATION NEEDS OF THE CONSTITUENT COLLEGES OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND

With Special Reference to the Proposal to Transfer University College, Dublin, to a New Site

Revised Edition