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Mission

Founded in 1984, Irish College Leuven is an international residential centre for education, training, and networking in European and global affairs. Located on the historic site of the 17th-century Franciscan Irish College of St. Anthony in Leuven, Belgium, the College advances its mission by promoting Ireland’s presence, visibility, and influence across Continental Europe.

At Irish College Leuven, we work to meet our mission in three distinct ways:

First, we design and deliver customised education and training programmes centred on our Leuven campus. We work with higher education institutions, professional and representative bodies, public sector organisations, and community groups from all over the world to create impactful, purpose-driven experiences. To better support our programmes, we provide comfortable accommodation for over 130 guests across 59 rooms, including a daily breakfast.

Secondly, we welcome a diverse programme of cultural and artistic events throughout the year that showcase the rich heritage and creative spirit of the island of Ireland. These range from our annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration to choir concerts, movie screenings, piano recitals, residential artists, and literary readings. We alsp provide workspace and offices for the Leuven Centre for Irish Studies (LCIS), a multi- and interdisciplinary Irish research group attached to the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

Finally, our campus is a modern, state-of-the-art residential conference venue offering high-quality facilities for conferences, meetings, seminars, and events. We offer a number spaces ranging from a large auditorium with over 200 seats to smaller rooms perfect for break-out sessions or more intimate meetings. Our rooms are fully equipped with the latest technology, providing an ideal environment for learning, collaboration, exchange, and networking.

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Since 1984 we have successfully delivered on our global mission, regularly exceeding the expectations of clients – academic, professional and commercial – by delivering top-notch experiences centered on engaging educational curricula, enriching corporate training courses, meaningful relationships, and a variety of interesting opportunities for everyone involved.

Governance

Irish College Leuven is registered in Belgium as The Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe ivzw (Company number BE0425.478.919), at Janseniusstrraat 1, Leuven, as an international non-profit organisation compliant with Belgian statutory requirements.

Members of the board have been selected for their expertise and experience in sectors relating to the college’s day-to-day business, and for their commitment to its mission, culture, history and strategic importance. There are directors representing business, higher education, the public sector, NGOs and cultural life, drawn from Belgium, The Republic of Ireland and both communities within Northern Ireland.

Board Members

Dónall Curtin
Dónall Curtin
Chair
Leïla Drake
Leïla Drake
Director
Dimitri Droshout
Dimitri Droshout
Director
Mark Durkan
Mark Durkan
Director
Michael Heaney (Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh)
Michael Heaney (Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh)
Director
Heather Humphreys
Heather Humphreys
Director
Dr Caroline McGroary
Dr Caroline McGroary
Director
Sir Gerard Loughran
Sir Gerard Loughran
Director
Deborah Nash
Deborah Nash
Director
Louis Roppe
Louis Roppe
Director
Professor Hedwig Schwall
Professor Hedwig Schwall
Director
Professor Terri Scott
Professor Terri Scott
Director
Lord Peter Weir
Lord Peter Weir
Director

Staff Members

David Grant
David Grant
Chief Executive
Jeffrey Cox
Jeffrey Cox
Education Programme Manager
Emmalyne Smith
Emmalyne Smith
Senior Education Programme Executive
Stephen Mullan
Stephen Mullan
International Programme Executive
Ryan McGuinness
Ryan McGuinness
Programme Liaison & Communications Executive
Wim Truyers
Wim Truyers
Conferences and Events Manager
Susan Hill
Susan Hill
Front of House & Reception Supervisor
Antonio Arruda
Antonio Arruda
Food & Beverage Supervisor
Keith Irwin
Keith Irwin
Property & Technical Supervisor