Minister Noel Grealish Visits UCD Lyons Farm to Review Innovation in Agriculture and Food Science Research
Dated October 1st 2025
Minister Noel Grealish Visits UCD Lyons Farm to Review Innovation in Agriculture and Food Science Research
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development, Noel Grealish TD, visited UCD Lyons Farm today to meet with researchers and view progress on innovative agricultural and food science projects. He was accompanied by Karl Walsh, Head of Research at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Minister was welcomed by Professor Frank Monahan, Head of the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, before attending a meeting and presentation from the School’s academic leads. Discussions covered key research priorities, current funding supports, and future plans for infrastructure development at UCD Lyons Farm.
Lyons Farm: A Nationally Important Research Facility
UCD Lyons Farm is the University’s teaching and research facility, located outside Newcastle, Co. Kildare, approximately 30 kilometres west of the main UCD Belfield campus. Originally part of the Lyons Estate, the farm was purchased by UCD in 1963. Today, the 250-hectare farm provides a unique resource for teaching, research, and innovation in Irish agriculture. UCD is the only third-level university in Ireland to operate its own large-scale teaching and research farm, giving students and academics direct access to animal and crop enterprises. This supports programmes of national importance, driving technical innovation, science-based education, and industry collaboration.
The visit also comes at a significant moment in the School’s history, as next year the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science will celebrate its centenary. The School is one of Ireland’s most research-active academic units, currently attracting approximately €12 million in research funding annually, with a significant proportion secured through Horizon Europe programmes.
Minister’s Walkabout Tour and Research Briefings
As he toured the facilities, Minister Grealish was familiarised with the central challenges and opportunities shaping agricultural research at UCD Lyons Farm. These included the pressures of increasing globalisation and market competition, the phasing out of production-linked subsidies within the EU, and the growing demand for affordable, healthy food produced to the highest standards of animal health and welfare. He also heard how researchers are addressing the need for sustainable land and animal management practices to protect biodiversity, water, and air quality, while also exploring strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, which currently account for over one third of Ireland’s total. The importance of supporting the viability of rural communities, reducing fossil fuel dependency in production systems, and meeting the evolving expectations of consumers in relation to food safety, quality and sustainability were also highlighted.
This broad research agenda reflects UCD’s unique capacity to investigate the entire food chain — from soil and crop science, to animal production systems, through to the impact of food consumption on human health.
During the visit, the Minister also engaged directly with research leaders in specific programme areas. Professor Karina Pierce and Dr. Alan Kelly led him through the dairy and calf research facilities, outlining work to advance herd health and production efficiency. Professor John O’Doherty provided insights into novel nutritional and management strategies aimed at reducing reliance on antimicrobials and tackling antimicrobial resistance in pig farming.In the crop research area, Professor Kevin McDonnell, Dr. Gary Gillespie and Dr. Cathal McCabe showcased the multi-crop platform, where over 32 crops are being trialled to assess their potential as value-added options for tillage growers. These include heritage crops for the distilling sector and alternative protein crops for bread-making and animal feeds. The team also demonstrated an AI-powered crop robot designed to enhance efficiency and sustainability in crop management The visit concluded with an update from Professor Tommy Boland and Dr. Helen Sheridan, who shared progress on the SmartGrass and SmartSward projects, the long-term grazing platform and their contribution to advancing sustainable pasture and grassland management.
Supporting the Future of Irish Agriculture
Speaking during the visit, Minister Grealish highlighted the importance of UCD’s research for the future of the Irish agri-food industry. He praised the collaborative approach between academia, industry, and government, noting that continued investment in science and innovation is vital to maintaining Ireland’s competitiveness while meeting sustainability goals.
As the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science approaches its 100-year anniversary, it remains firmly at the centre of shaping the next century of Irish agriculture and food. Through its research, teaching, and innovation, the School continues to equip students, farmers, and industry partners with the knowledge and tools required to deliver sustainable, competitive, and globally respected food systems for the future.