# Industrialist makes largest ever Irish philanthropic donation

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/05/28/industrialist-makes-largest-ever-irish-philanthropic-donation-2/
- Published: 2018-05-28T11:16:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Trinity College Dublin has announced plans for a €60 million new E3 Institute 
in Engineering, Energy and Environment that has been made possible with a major 
private philanthropic donation of €25 million by the Naughton family.**

The Naughton Foundation, established by the founder of the Glen Dimplex Group, **
Dr Martin Naughton, and his wife Carmel,** has a long track record of making large
donations to education and the arts. This gift to [Trinity College Dublin](http://www.tcd.ie)
is thought to be the largest ever made by Irish born philanthropists.

In addition to the Naughton gift, significant philanthropic support was also given
by **Dr Beate Schuler, Dr Paul Johnston with his wife Theresa Johnston, and Mike
Peirce**.

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An **additional €15 million** is being made available by the Department of Education
and Skills, to be provided through the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

Speaking on the occasion of the announcement of the €25 million gift, Dr Martin 
Naughton said:

> “Ireland will need increasing numbers of engineers, scientists, IT specialists
> among other STEM graduates who will be able to work together to tackle the big
> global challenges we face today. Throughout my life in business I have been fortunate
> to have been able to play my part in effecting positive societal change.”

Carmel and Martin Naughton were named **National Philanthropists of the Year in 
2016** by the Community Foundation for Ireland in recognition of their generosity
and leadership in supporting the arts, education and the promotion of engineering,
science and technology in Irish society. In 2007 the Naughtons made what is considered
to be the largest ever gift to a Northern Irish arts institution, donating £1 million
to the Lyric, Northern Ireland’s only full time producing theatre.

 * **[Record £190 million gift by Chris Rokos for Cambridge University](https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/04/02/record-190-million-gift-by-chris-rokos-cambridge-university/)(
   2 April 2026)**
 * **[Trinity College Dublin launches new €600 million strategy](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/10/22/trinity-college-dublin-launches-new-e600m-strategy/)(
   22 October 2014)
 * **[Trinity College Dublin produces major Irish fundrdaising study](https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/10/02/trinity-produces-major-irish-fundraising-study/)(
   2 October 2007)