In 1854, the movement spearheaded by Cardinal Cullen and led by John Henry Cardinal Newman, succeeded in opening the doors of a new university, which would make higher-level education accessible to a broad sweep of Irish people.
The Catholic University opened its doors on the feast of St Malachy, November 3rd, 1854.
1855
The Catholic University Medical School was opened in 1855 in Cecilia Street.
1879
The University Education (Ireland) Act 1879 brought in by Benjamin Disraeli's government led to the establishment of the Royal University of Ireland which was a non-teaching, degree-awarding institution.
1882/83
The Catholic University reorganised in order to avail of the indirect endowment from the state through the Royal University of Ireland. The St Stephen's Green institution was renamed University College and its management transferred to the Jesuits.
1883-1888 and 1897-1909
Fr William Delany SJ appointed first president of University College.
1884
Poet and Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins appointed fellow of University College.
1908
Irish Universities Act brought into being the National University of Ireland with its constitutent University Colleges - Dublin, Galway, Cork and led to the demise of the Royal University and the Jesuit-run University College.
Dean of the Medical School Dr Dennis Coffey appointed first president of UCD. Coffey was to hold the position for 30 years.
1911
Land donated by Lord Iveagh helps the university expand in Earlsfort Terrace/Hatch Street/St Stephen's Green.
1933
Belfield House on 44 acres is purchased.
1947
Dr Michael Tierney appointed president. Tierney conceived the scheme of a new UCD on a suburban site and became intimately involved in UCD's fever of purchasing several hundred acres in the neighbourhood of Belfield over the next 17 years.
1962
Sod turned on science block at Belfield.
1969/70
Arts, commerce and law move to Belfield.
1973
Library opens.
1979
Agriculture moves on to Belfield campus.
1986
Dr Patrick Masterson appointed president (1986-1993).
1993
Dr Art Cosgrove appointed president (1993-2003).
1999
The Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research and the Institute for the Study of Social Change founded.
2004
Dr Hugh Brady appointed president.
