Waterford hosts expert delegation for CERN-engagement Workshop

A gathering of 20+ national experts in the field of physics took place in Waterford this morning at Walton Institute, SETU, for a workshop on the theme of CERN – the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. CERN is an intergovernmental organisation based near Geneva that uses the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments to probe the fundamental structure of the particles that make up everything around us.

Today’s coming-together is a follow-on from last February’s high-level visit to CERN in Geneva led by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, who was joined by the same specialist delegation of Irish leaders in the field of physics. The Irish delegates’ visit to meet senior CERN officials helped to build relationships that aided in achieving Ireland’s long-term goal of joining CERN as an Associate Member State in October 2025.

This achievement marked a major milestone for Irish science, strengthening research opportunities in fields such as medical applications, computing and particle physics. The status facilitates deeper participation in high-energy physics research for Irish scientists and also enables Irish companies to bid for contracts.

Progressing plans for the national scientific community

Today at Walton Institute, the delegation came back together to share updates, discuss objectives, ideas, and outline strategies for Ireland to assume a significant role in CERN engagement. Delegates were in Waterford to attend the Institute of Physics Spring Conference later on Friday and Saturday, where the focus of the annual conference would also be CERN-themed, and the opportunities for Ireland’s scientific community.

A representative of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Lola Hourihane, joined SETU President Prof. Veronica Campbell, along with Directors of Walton Institute Dr Kevin Doolin and Dr Deirdre Kilbane, representative of Research Ireland Dr Aisling McEvoy, as well as national experts Prof. Sinéad Ryan, Prof. of High Energy Physics at Trinity College Dublin and Prof. Ronan McNulty, Particle Physicist Professor at UCD.

Upon welcoming delegates to today’s CERN-engagement workshop at Walton Institute, SETU President Veronica Campbell said:

“Ireland’s Associate Membership of CERN is a game-changer for research and innovation in this country, and SETU is very proud to play an active role in shaping this new chapter. Under the leadership of Dr Deirdre Kilbane and her team at the Walton Institute, we are committed to fostering collaboration, driving cutting?edge research, and ensuring Ireland fully maximises the opportunities that membership brings. With the calibre of leadership and research talent gathered here today, I am confident that we are at the beginning of a very exciting journey of discovery, collaboration, and reputational growth.”

On hosting the workshop, Director of Research at Walton Institute Dr Deirdre Kilbane said: “It is a wonderful occasion that the Institute of Physics Spring Conference is being held here in Waterford, and very exciting that we are progressing opportunities for the Irish scientific community as an official Associate Member State of CERN.”

In attendance, Prof. Ronan McNulty, Particle Physicist Professor at UCD, said: “Having joined CERN, there are now fantastic opportunities available for Irish scientists, engineers and companies to collaborate with CERN on projects that are at the cutting-edge of science and technology.”

After the CERN-engagement workshop at Walton Institute, the delegation travelled to the nearby Tower Hotel in Waterford city, where SETU hosted the Institute of Physics Spring Conference as the 2026 university partner.