About Us - Irish College Leuven

Mission

Founded in 1984, Irish College Leuven is an international residential centre for education, training, and networking in European and global affairs. Located on the historic site of the 17th-century Franciscan Irish College of St. Anthony in Leuven, Belgium, the College advances its mission by promoting Ireland’s presence, visibility, and influence across Continental Europe.

At Irish College Leuven, we work to meet our mission in three distinct ways:

Education

Culture

Events

Since 1984 we have successfully delivered on our global mission, regularly exceeding the expectations of clients – academic, professional and commercial – by delivering top-notch experiences centered on engaging educational curricula, enriching corporate training courses, meaningful relationships, and a variety of interesting opportunities for everyone involved.

Governance

Irish College Leuven is registered in Belgium as The Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe ivzw (Company number BE0425.478.919), at Janseniusstrraat 1, Leuven, as an international non-profit organisation compliant with Belgian statutory requirements.

Members of the board have been selected for their expertise and experience in sectors relating to the college’s day-to-day business, and for their commitment to its mission, culture, history and strategic importance. There are directors representing business, higher education, the public sector, NGOs and cultural life, drawn from Belgium, The Republic of Ireland and both communities within Northern Ireland.

Statutes

Board Members

Dónall Curtin joined the board in 2020. An accountant by profession, Dónall has experience on boards in business, education, and the arts.

Dónall Curtin

Chair

Leïla Drake is founding partner at LegalDirect, corporate law firm. She is also the chairwoman of Artemis, an organisation for entrepreneurial women.

Leïla Drake

Director

Dimitri Droshout Head of Legal Department, KU Leuven, and former legal scholar and lecturer in comparative law at KU Leuven and Maastricht University

Dimitri Droshout

Director

Mark Durkan was previously Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, a former Member of Parliament, and past leader of the SDLP in Northern Ireland.

Mark Durkan

Director

Mícheál is former CEO Údarás na Gaeltachta & Director of Services Donegal County Council. Current Vice President of the Assembly of European Regions.

Michael Heaney (Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh)

Director

Heather Humphreys was a TD (Member of Parliament) from 2011 to 2024 and served as Government Minister in various portfolios.

Heather Humphreys

Director

Dr Caroline McGroary is a Chartered Accountant, Fulbright Scholar, Research Fellow at Boston College and Lecturer in Accounting at DCU.

Dr Caroline McGroary

Director

Sir Gerard Loughran is a former Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and serves on boards in business, education and social services.

Sir Gerard Loughran

Director

Deborah Nash is CEO of the Brussels office of Teneo, a global strategic advisory firm. She is also Chair of the Institute of Directors’ Belgian branch

Deborah Nash

Director

Louis Roppe is a lawyer, a former Mayor of the City of Hasselt, and Chairman of St Josef's Hospital. He is a founding member of Irish College Leuven.

Louis Roppe

Director

Prof. Hedwig Schwall is professor emeritus at KU Leuven and project director for the European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies.

Professor Hedwig Schwall

Director

Professor Terri Scott is a non-executive Director serving on public bodies in Ireland and the UK following a distinguished career in higher education.

Professor Terri Scott

Director

Lord Weir of Ballyholme, was a MLA from 2002 until 2022 during which time he also served as Minister of Education on two occasions.

Lord Peter Weir

Director

Staff Members

David was appointed Chief Executive in 2017 and leads the team in delivering the mission of Irish College Leuven.

+32 16 310 430 davidgrant@irishcollegeleuven.eu

David Grant

Chief Executive

Jeffrey, based at our offices in Ireland, researches and develops tailored programmes to meet the academic and professional needs of our clients.

+353 1 231 4600 jeffreycox@irishcollegeleuven.eu

Jeffrey Cox

Education Programme Manager

Emmalyne working from our Ireland office, focuses on creating unique programmes to support our clients' diverse academic and professional goals.

+353 1 231 4600 emmalynesmith@irishcollegeleuven.eu

Emmalyne Smith

Senior Education Programme Executive

Ryan supports our clients and their students during our programmes, ensuring the smooth running of all lectures, study visits, and activities.

+32 16 310 430 ryanmcguinness@irishcollegeleuven.eu

Ryan McGuinness

Programme Liaison & Communications Executive

Wim supports our clients in the organising and preparation of conference, meetings and events with tailored service for each event.

+32 16 310 430 wimtruyers@irishcollegeleuven.eu

Wim Truyers

Conferences and Events Manager

Susan is the front of house and reception supervisor making sure that our guests receive a warm welcome and supports all our programmes and events.

+32 16 310 430 susanhill@irishcollegeleuven.eu

Susan Hill

Front of House & Reception Supervisor

Antonio is supervisor of Irish College Leuven's food and beverage department ensuring that our clients catering needs are always met.

+32 16 310 430 antonioarruda@irishcollegeleuven.eu

Antonio Arruda

Food & Beverage Supervisor

Keith has over thirty years service with Irish College Leuven and continues to take care of the historic building and provide support for our events.

+32 16 310 430 keithirwin@irishcollegeleuven.eu

Keith Irwin

Property & Technical Supervisor