# Industrialist makes largest ever Irish philanthropic donation

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/06/30/industrialist-makes-largest-ever-irish-philanthropic-donation/
- Published: 2018-06-30T08:11:27+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Trinity College Dublin (TCD) 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](https://www.thenaughtonfoundation.com/), established by
the founder of the Glen Dimplex Group, Dr Martin Naughton, and his wife, Carmel,
has a track of record of making large donations to education and the arts but this
gift is thought to be the largest 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. This funding will be provided through the Higher Education Authority(
HEA).

[⌊Photo: Kieran Harnett⌉⌊Photo: Kieran Harnett⌉[

_Dr Martin and Mrs Carmel Naughton at the presentation of the 2016 Naughton Foundation
Scholarship awards held in Trinity College Dublin. Photo: Kieran Harnett_

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 pounds to the Lyric, Northern Ireland’s
only full time producing theatre.

 

_Main image: [Trinity College Dublin](https://flic.kr/p/8x15pJ) by Marianone on 
Flickr.com_

 * **[New wealth report highlights potential for Irish charitable sector](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/10/01/new-wealth-report-highlights-potential-irish-charitable-sector/)**(
   1 October 2018)
 * **[Elton John among most generous UK donors, report reveals](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/11/29/elton-john-among-most-generous-uk-donors-report-reveals/)**(
   29 November 2018)
 * **[J.K. Rowling donates £15.3 million to MS research centre](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/09/12/j-k-rowling-donates-15-3m-to-ms-research-centre/)**(
   12 September 2019)

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