Trinity College Dublin Unveils “Benefactors Through the Centuries” Roll of Honour

Posted on: 21 June 2013

Trinity College Unveiled its “Benefactors through the Centuries” Roll of Honour this week. The names of benefactors who made substantial gifts to Trinity, have been embossed permanently on the frieze beneath the ceiling of the grand entrance to the Dining Hall. They are adorned with the words of Virgil, the first-century BC poet:”SEMPER HONOS NOMENQVE TVVM LAVDESQVE MANEBVNT” – “Your name, honour and praise shall always remain.”

The first benefactor to Trinity, Queen Elizabeth I and the names that now follow hers range from Sir Turlough O’Neill to Lord Iveagh and more recently Martin Naughton and the Cathal Ryan Trust. The Government of Ireland and its agencies, the People of Ireland as well as Alumni Donors of Trinity College Dublin are also included in the list.

Provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast, with one of Trinity’s generous benefactors, Dr Beate Schuler

Trinity owes its foundation to benevolence. It was founded in 1592 by letters patent of Elizabeth I. The grant of a site by Dublin Corporation allowed the College to open here in the centre of the capital city.  Elizabeth I and Dublin Corporation are therefore the first two names on the roll of honour. They initiated the cycle of giving – of bequests, of grants of land, of trust funds and endowments – a cycle which has continued unabated to the present.

Leading the ceremony of unveiling, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Patrick Prendergast, said: “I know that our generous private donors are, like the government itself, inspired by their wish to benefit the public good. They have seen in Trinity a place where their support will be maximised. We are honoured that they placed their trust in Trinity and fully understand responsibility that comes with this trust and support.”   

Speaking on behalf of the benefactors, Dr Martin Naughton, founderand chairman of the Glen Dimplex Group, explained: “If we want to have the best and most successful small country in the world, correct investment in third level education is a big part of the formula to make it happen and if we are to have institutions we can be proud of, we need to step forward.”

Chancellor of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Mary Robinson, who unveiled “Benefactors through the Centuries” roll of honour, said: “Institutions and endowments are named after Trinity’s benefactors, keeping their link to this university for perpetuity. But today, for the first time, we bring together all benefactors to commemorate their generosity on this roll of honour. By this action we hope to both thank them, and to honour the principle of public philanthropy which they embody. This is our permanent and public testament to the generosity of individuals, foundations, trusts and corporations through the ages. This roll of honour is our tribute to those who, since the foundation of the college, have helped make Trinity great. ”

Benefactors Through the Centuries List

1.      Elizabeth I

2.      Dublin Corporation

3.      James I

4.      Sir Turlough O’Neill

5.      Sir Hugh Magennis

6.      James Ussher

7.      Henry Jones

8.      Erasmus Smith Trust

9.      Charles II

10.   Claudius Gilbert

11.   Richard Baldwin

12.   Sir Patrick Dun

13.   Lord John George Beresford  

14.   Edward Cecil Guinness

15.   Frederick Purser

16.   John Purser Griffith

17.   Grania, Marchioness of Normanby

18.   Brian, Lord Moyne

19.   Jack Morrison

20.   Rupert Edward Guinness

21.   Ford Foundation

22.   Chester Beatty Trust

23.   Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

24.   Sami Nasr 

25.   Smurfit Kappa

26.   Mercer’s Hospital Foundation

27.   Sir Anthony O’Reilly

28.   Coca-Cola Corporation

29.   The A.G. Leventis Foundation

30.   Donald Panoz

31.   Sir Michael Smurfit KBE

32.   John Moores

33.   Brendan McDonald

34.   Wellcome Trust

35.   The Atlantic Philanthropies

36.   Martin & Carmel Naughton  

37.   Lewis L. Glucksman & Loretta Brennan Glucksman

38.   Allied Irish Banks

39.   Bernard McNamara

40.   The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

41.   Bank of Ireland

42.   Peter Sutherland SC

43.   Durkan Family & Friends

44.   Dermot Desmond

45.   Dr Beate Schuler

46.   David and Mary Went

47.   Royal City of Dublin Hospital Trust

48.   Kay & Fred Krehbiel  

49.   Mark Pigott KBE

50.   PACCAR Inc

51.   Anonymous

52.   Irish Life

53.   The Irish Times

54.   Google

55.   Dr Stanley Quek

56.   Capt. Cathal Ryan Trust

57.   Ellen Mayston Bates

58.   National Children’s Research Centre

59.   The People of Ireland

60.   Government of Ireland & its agencies

61.   Alumni Donors