The University College Dublin Economics Society is a group that promotes engagement with economics while promoting a "feeling of community" at

University College Dublin University College Dublin (commonly referred to as UCD) ( ga, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath) is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a member institution of the National University of Ireland. With 33,284 student ...

among students interested in economics. The society has over 700 members drawn from different faculties in the college. Individuals who have addressed the society had included Governor of the Irish Central Bank Patrick Honohan, and economists David McWilliams and Morgan Kelly.

History

The Society was first established in 1911 as the Legal & Economic Society. The prominent professor and politician, J.G. Swift MacNeilll, gave the inaugural address. Founding members included

Thomas Kettle Thomas Michael Kettle (9 February 1880 – 9 September 1916) was an Irish economist, journalist, barrister, writer, war poet, soldier and Home Rule politician. As a member of the Irish Parliamentary Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for ...

, Conor Maguire, Thomas Arkins and Arthur Cox. The Society ran a number of small debates in its early years and struggled to maintain its activity during the Irish War of Independence and Civil War. In the 1930s, the Legal and Economic society split into the

University College Dublin Law Society The UCD Law Society is one of the largest student societies in Europe. Established in 1911 as 'The Legal and Economic Society', as of 2009 it had approximately 4100 members drawn from the various faculties of the university. Weekly Tuesday nigh ...

. The Economic Society was founded again in 1968. But later disbanded until being re-established in 2013.

Activities

The society hosts a range of events including guest speakers, panel discussions and debates. The societies flagship is the "Thinking Big" two-day conference hosted in the Fitzgerald Chamber started in 2013. This looks at biggest challenges facing Ireland and the world. Speakers at the 2014 event included

Lucinda Creighton Lucinda Creighton (born 20 January 1980) is an Irish businesswoman and former politician, who served as Minister of State for European Affairs from 2011 to 2013. She was leader of Renua from its March 2015 foundation until May 2016, and served a ...

, Professor Ron Davies and Habitat for Ireland CEO Vince Cunningham. Professor Gregory O'Hare of UCD Earth-Institute

Guest speakers

The society regularly invites speakers to address the society. Speakers have included the then Minister for State and later Minister for Health

Simon Harris Simon Harris (born 17 October 1986) is an Irish politician who has served as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael since 2024. A TD for the Wicklow constituency since 2011, he has served as a minister in the government of Ireland since 2016 and f ...

, Nobel laureate Eric Maskin Peter Sutherland, Bob Geldof, Dr Dambisa Moyo, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Dr James Hoare, and then Leader of the Green Party

Eamon Ryan Eamon Michael Ryan (born 28 July 1963) is an Irish Green Party politician who has served as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport since June 2020 and Leader of the Green Party since May 2011. He ha ...

Honorary life memberships

The Society presents an Honorary Life Membership called Thomas Kettle award in honor of

. Kettle, in 1908, was the first Professor of National Economics at

and also one of the founders of the Legal and Economics Society. He later died leading a company of his men on 9 September 1916, aged 36, during the Battle of the Somme in France.

References

{{University College Dublin University College Dublin Student organisations in the Republic of Ireland 1911 establishments in Ireland