Celebrating 70 years of Physiotherapy at UCD
On 10th December 2025, UCD Physiotherapy staff, students, alumni, industry colleagues and friends gathered together at Belfield to celebrate 70 years of physiotherapy education, research, innovation and community at UCD.
The occasion recognised seven decades of advancing movement science, strengthening clinical care, and educating physiotherapists who continue to make a meaningful impact across healthcare settings in Ireland and internationally.
The first physiotherapy programme was established at UCD in 1955, in a very different healthcare landscape. From the outset, the guiding principle was clear: education must be grounded in evidence, shaped by clinical excellence, and delivered with care. That founding commitment has endured and continues to underpin physiotherapy education at UCD today.
Over the decades, UCD Physiotherapy expanded its academic and clinical reach, strengthened its research profile, and contributed to national and international healthcare conversations. Generations of graduates have gone on to practise across hospitals, community services, sports organisations, schools, and rehabilitation settings, carrying forward UCD’s emphasis on evidence-based, person-centred care.
While the anniversary celebrated programmes and progress, it also highlighted the people behind the legacy. Staff, students, alumni, clinical educators, professional partners, and collaborators were recognised for their collective role in shaping UCD Physiotherapy’s impact. Progress in healthcare education has never been the work of one individual or one era; it has always been built collaboratively and sustained over time.
The celebration included contributions from several distinguished speakers. Associate Professor and Associate Dean of UCD Physiotherapy Gráinne O'Donoghue warmly welcomed everyone to the event and introduced Professor Colin Scott, Registrar and Deputy President of UCD, who reflected on the university’s pioneering role in embedding physiotherapy within higher education and reaffirmed UCD’s ongoing commitment to leadership in healthcare education.
Professor Catherine Blake offered reflections on the past, present, and future of UCD Physiotherapy. An alumna of the programme, former Head of School, and former Dean of Physiotherapy, Professor Blake highlighted the evolution of the discipline, the strengthening of its scientific foundations, and the importance of research-informed education in shaping future practice.
The evening also recognised the vital partnership between UCD Physiotherapy and the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP). Remarks from Damian Rice, Vice-President of the ISCP, acknowledged the shared commitment to professional standards, education, and the ongoing development of the profession.
As UCD Physiotherapy reflected on 70 years of achievement, the focus remained firmly on the future. Leadership in healthcare education is continuous and forward-looking, shaped by evolving evidence, innovation, and societal need. Building on its strong foundations, UCD Physiotherapy continues to prepare graduates who are not only clinically excellent, but also equipped to lead, research, and innovate in a changing healthcare landscape.
The 70th anniversary celebration reaffirmed UCD Physiotherapy’s enduring commitment to academic rigour, clinical excellence, and human recovery — a legacy that will continue to shape the profession for generations to come.
10th December 2025
