Liffey Trust

02/10/2026

The Liffey Trust was delighted to see Adam McIntyre, recipient of the Dr Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship at University College Dublin, achieve international success as part of a UCD student team at the Clawcomp LLC Hackathon in Boston.

Adam, a Stage 3 Computer Science student, joined fellow UCD students David Remenyik and Simon Lasak to form team Gliomach. Competing against student teams from around the world, Gliomach secured first prize and $10,000 for their innovative work in the field of artificial intelligence.

The team is developing a system aimed at making increasingly autonomous AI systems safer and more reliable. Their approach uses formal mathematical logic and verification to check that actions proposed by an AI system comply with predefined safety rules before they are carried out, helping to reduce AI hallucinations and strengthen safety guardrails.

Ahead of the competition, Adam and his teammates spent more than a month researching and developing their technology before travelling to Boston, where they presented their work to a panel of investors and judges.

Following their success, the team plans to continue developing the technology and collaborating with researchers and industry experts working in AI safety and autonomous systems. Their longer-term ambition is to help make mathematically verified AI safety practical, allowing increasingly capable AI systems to operate in a safer and more predictable way.

For The Liffey Trust, Adam’s achievement is a wonderful example of the innovation and entrepreneurial thinking that the Dr Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship was established to encourage. Supporting talented students with ambitious ideas remains an important part of the Trust’s work, and we look forward to following Adam’s progress as he continues his studies and develops his work in this rapidly evolving field.

The Trust congratulates Adam, David and Simon on this outstanding international achievement. 👏

18/08/2026

We’re delighted to share the completed Schools section of the Liffey Trust DEIS Schools Initiative 🏫

This new section of our website showcases the schools involved in the initiative and the work being supported across participating school communities.

We’re proud to see the initiative continue to grow and to highlight the schools at the heart of it.

Explore the completed Schools section below.

COMPLETED SCHOOLS We're proud to support DEIS schools in creating innovative STEM learning spaces that empower students and build brighter futures. Transforming Learning, Creating Opportunity Every project we complete is designed to inspire curiosity, boost confidence and provide students with acces...

14/08/2026

We’re inviting businesses and organisations to partner with The Liffey Trust and help us support DEIS schools and their students.

Through our DEIS School Initiative, our partners can help fund meaningful projects that provide schools with additional resources, facilities and opportunities that can make a real difference to students.

Your support can help us reach more schools and create a lasting impact where it is needed most. 💙

Become a partner and support our DEIS School Initiative.

Become a Partner Together, We Can Transform STEM Education Partner with us to give students in DEIS schools access to inspiring STEM experiences, positive role models and opportunities that can broaden their horizons. Step 1:Get in TouchComplete our partnership enquiry form. Step 2:Discuss Opportuni...

13/08/2026

The Liffey Trust is proud to work with DEIS schools, providing support and opportunities that help young people develop confidence, discover their strengths and see the possibilities ahead of them.

Many DEIS schools operate with outdated science facilities, ageing laboratories, and limited STEM resources. The Liffey Trust works directly with schools to identify STEM infrastructure projects that can help make a meaningful difference.

By supporting DEIS schools and improving learning spaces, the Liffey Trust aims to help students:

✨ Build confidence and self-belief
🌱 Develop new skills and interests
🌟 Experience new opportunities
🤝 Feel supported and encouraged
🎯 Raise aspirations for their future

Every school community is different, and our work is centred on making a practical and positive difference for the young people we support.

We have recently expanded the DEIS Schools section of our website to give a much better insight into this important part of the Liffey Trust’s work.

Take a look and learn more about how the Liffey Trust is working with DEIS schools to open doors, create opportunities and help young people reach their full potential.

The Liffey Trust works directly with schools to identify STEM infrastructure projects that can make a meaningful difference.

29/05/2026

When The Liffey Trust launched the Dr Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship at University College Cork in 2023, the goal was to support ambitious students with entrepreneurial potential and give them the opportunity to develop their ideas, skills, and futures.

Three years later, as our inaugural scholar Hugo Guenebaut completes his final year of support, it’s rewarding to hear firsthand the impact the scholarship has had on his university experience.

“The Dr Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship has provided me with opportunities that I likely would not have had otherwise,” Hugo says.

One of the most significant benefits, he explains, has been the opportunity to build valuable connections. During his second year at UCC, Hugo was invited to speak at the Cork University Foundation Benefactors’ Lunch, where he met professionals working in industries that interest him, including the Head of Engineering at Qualcomm.

“The most significant of these has been the chance to network with remarkable people,” he says. “I was also given the opportunity to meet fellow Scholars in Dublin, where we discussed our respective ventures and skill sets. It was an inspiring experience to be surrounded by such driven and talented students and entrepreneurs.”

Read more on Hugo's journey over on our website below.

When The Liffey Trust launched the Dr Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship at University College Cork in 2023, the goal was to support ambitious stu ...

12/05/2026

We are delighted to announce Louisa Tyrrell as this year’s recipient of the Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship at University of Galway.

Louisa is a first-year BA student in Human Rights with French, Politics and Sociology, whose impressive record in leadership, advocacy, and public engagement made her a truly deserving recipient.

The scholarship was awarded to Louisa by Aidan Corless, Chairperson of The Liffey Trust at the Aula Maxima.

At The Liffey Trust, we are passionate about supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers. The Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship continues to honour Séamus’ legacy by recognising young people with the ambition, vision, and drive to create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

We look forward to following Louisa’s journey and seeing the positive impact she will make.

This is the fourth consecutive year the scholarship has been presented in partnership with University of Galway IdeasLab, the University’s student innovation hub which empowers students to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges.

For incoming first-year students joining University of Galway this September, applications for the Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship typically open in October.

01/05/2026

The Liffey Trust, in partnership with University College Cork, is delighted to announce Michal Szczepan as the 2026 recipient of the Dr Séamus McDermott Entrepreneurial Scholarship.

During a recent visit to UCC, Chairperson Aidan Corless joined a roundtable discussion on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the role of philanthropy in shaping future leaders, marking the announcement of this year’s scholar.

Michal has demonstrated exceptional initiative, resilience, and leadership, from launching early ventures to co-founding an emerging EdTech startup, Ganzy. His journey reflects the ambition and problem-solving mindset the scholarship is designed to support.

The scholarship continues to play a vital role in empowering students to engage with UCC’s innovation ecosystem, helping them develop ideas with real societal impact.

Read more about Aidan’s visit and our 2026 scholar below.

The Liffey Trust, in partnership with University College Cork is delighted to announce Michal Szczepan as the 2026 recipient of The Dr Séamus McDermott Entr ...