Campus Development & Sustainability

The 2024–2025 period saw significant work undertaken under the College’s Climate Action Roadmap and in ensuring the institution remained aligned with national sustainability and infrastructure standards.

The College completed and submitted a ‘Statement on compliance with the 2024 Climate Action Plan’ through the SEAI monitoring and reporting tool and continued to make progress on its baseline targets for 2030. MIC recorded reduced CO2 emissions in 2024, to a level of 1,632,209 kg, a reduction of 14% on the baseline setting and indicating a remaining 'gap-to-target' of 951,649 kg CO2 GHG. 

Amongst other items, this report indicated that the Limerick campus reduced emissions by 117 tonnes of CO2 during 2024.

The College Climate Action Roadmap was formally approved by the President, finalised, and submitted to the HEA and the SEAI. An application under the EXCEED programme was prepared in conjunction with the SEAI, which greatly contributes to a building enhancement project on the Limerick campus.

Very significant progress was made by the College under almost all headings of its Climate Action Mandate. The information and data behind it are recorded on the SEAI’s website, where a dedicated page for MIC now holds all 2023, 2024 and 2025 data. This feeds into the monitoring and reporting process, whereby longer-term trends are tracked and gap-to-target analysis, etc., can be drawn upon. The behavioural change and active management of energy usage and CO2 emissions resulted in continual performance improvements and enhanced physical learning environments at Mary Immaculate College.

Compared with 2024 emissions, MIC reduced its fossil fuel environmental impact by 64,714 kilogrammes of CO2 and its electricity-related emissions by 80,113 kg of CO2. The baseline emissions are 2,014,127 kgs. During 2025, MIC emitted 1,487,375 kgs of CO2e. As such it is on schedule to reach its target of 729,783 kg CO2 emitted by 2030.

MIC Thurles

MIC Thurles was once again awarded a Green Flag in January 2025, recognising strong efforts by staff and students to reduce waste, improve recycling, and promote sustainability across campus. The award, granted through An Taisce’s Green-Schools programme, reflects the college’s commitment to environmental action. Committee members highlighted the collective effort behind the success, with support from across the college. An Taisce also praised MIC for integrating sustainability into its curriculum, noting the positive impact this will have on future educators.

MIC Limerick

MIC continued to enhance health and wellbeing by prioritising outdoor spaces through a sustainable, landscape-led masterplan for its Limerick campus. Developed by Levitt Bernstein, the plan aims to celebrate the campus’s historic character while creating a clear vision for future development, improving wayfinding, strengthening identity, and expanding green spaces. The masterplan introduces phased landscape improvements, including new public spaces and connected “ways” that encourage movement, social interaction, and informal learning. These developments will complement existing buildings and create an attractive, accessible environment while preserving the campus’s heritage. Alongside this, MIC continues to advance sustainability initiatives, supported by its Environmental and Sustainability Committee, including biodiversity projects and outdoor amenities for the wider community.

MIC Limerick Campus Development

MIC was delighted to receive communication from An Bord Pleanála in the summer of 2024 (ref ABP-319325-24), granting permission for the proposed development of a new library at the MIC Limerick campus. 

The College appointed a new Director of Library & Information Services (formerly known as the Head Librarian), Cora Gleeson, who commenced her role in mid-October. 

The appointments of Scott Tallon Walker and AECOM as the main consultants on the library project were announced. The project continues to progress, and AECOM has prepared a formal ‘Project Execution Plan’, a Procurement Strategy in relation to a building contractor’s appointment, a Project Review Report and an updated Total Project Cost. 

The approval of An tÚdaras Rialaithe to proceed with the new Library Project was obtained at a meeting on 31 March 2025. 

MIC Thurles Campus Enhancement

A redevelopment of the main pitch at Thurles was completed with new floodlights and power source, perimeter fencing, and a resurfacing of the playing surface.