Irish businessman and philanthropist Martin Naughton passed away this past week at the age of 87. Naughton, who earned his fortune after founding Glen Electric in the 1970s and expanding into other businesses, gave much of his wealth to support the arts and education of Ireland.
In 2018, the Naughton family gifted €25m to Trinity College Dublin, in what is regarded as the single-largest private philanthropic donation in the history of the Irish state.
Dr Linda Doyle, Provost of Trinity College, commented: “Martin Naughton’s legacy at Trinity will be felt for generations to come. It’s been my great honour and privilege to have known such an inspiring and generous man.”
In addition, the Naughton Foundation has awarded hundreds of students across the island scholarships for outstanding performance in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), benefiting many of Trinity’s own students and allowing those who have faced financial barriers to pursue STEM at university.
Samuel Regan, a rising Junior Sophister in Physical Sciences and recipient of The Naughton Foundation Scholarship, remarked that in the two years he has been a Naughton Scholar, the foundation has given him numerous wonderful opportunities. On Martin Naughton, he stated, “I consider it to be such an immense privilege to have met him; his charitable principles have guided the lives of all of us who were lucky enough to qualify for his foundation’s scholarship.” He continued, “I imagine that his legacy will have a profound effect on my life for decades to come.”
Mathematics student Eóin Wayne commented, “Receiving the Naughton Scholarship is probably the greatest thing that ever happened to me. It goes far beyond a regular scholarship; the events run by the Naughton family gave me the opportunity to meet new people, see new places and learn new things.”
Wayne lamented, “Martin Naughton was an incredibly sincere man; he truly cared about the people he helped, and he felt it was his duty to invest in the country’s future. His passion and optimism were infectious, and I have no doubt that his generosity will continue to benefit Ireland and its students for years to come. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam (May he rest in peace).”
Martin Naughton’s impact will continue to be felt in the classrooms, communities, laboratories, and workplaces across Ireland for generations.
In an official eulogy on the University’s website, Trinity College Dublin released the statement: “The University extends its deepest condolences to Carmel, Fiona, Neil and Fergal, and to Dr Naughton’s wider family and many friends. He will be remembered with deep gratitude and affection by the College community and in our prayers at a service in Trinity’s ecumenical chapel.”
