Philanthropist who gave €150m to University of Limerick has died

AN IRISH-American philanthropist who was the catalyst behind the establishment of the University of Limerick Foundation has died. 

Dr Chuck Feeney "made a massive difference to this country" through his billion euro contribution to the education sector in Ireland. 

He gifted in the region of €150m to the UL Foundation, which has been transformational to the campus, the city and wider region.

The New Jersey native passed away this Monday, October 9 in San Francisco, California. He was aged 92. 

Born Charles F. Feeney to Irish American parents, 'Chuck' lived by the philosophy of 'giving while living'. 

In March of this year, UL dedicated the main thoroughfare on their Castletroy campus to Dr Feeney and erected a sign ‘Feeney's Way’.

UL President Professor Kerstin Mey has paid tribute to the late Dr Feeney, saying:  “I am sure I speak on behalf of the entire University of Limerick community past and present in expressing our sorrow at the loss of one of the most giving-of-men in Chuck Feeney.  

“I was fortunate to meet him and his wife Helga as recently as March in San Francisco and it was a privilege to spend some time with him.

“I want to offer my sympathy on behalf of the institution to his family and to celebrate a truly extraordinary legacy that he leaves behind as an inspiration to all.” 

As well as being the catalyst behind the establishment of the University of Limerick Foundation in 1989, he was a long-time Foundation Board Member.

UL President Professor Kerstin Mey has paid tribute to Chuck Feeney.

“I want to offer my sympathy on behalf of the institution to his family and to celebrate a truly extraordinary legacy that he leaves behind as an inspiration to all.”

Read more here: https://t.co/dCU6qInYjQ pic.twitter.com/KLMfE1LmmN

— University Of Limerick (@UL) October 9, 2023

“Dr Feeney’s giving while living philosophy is at its heart an exceptional story of giving – around €8 billion towards philanthropy, for education, youth, health, and human rights globally,” Professor Mey said.

“As the son of Irish American parents, maybe it is no surprise that over €1 billion of philanthropic support went to Ireland, and UL has been one of the main beneficiaries. At its simplest, the University of Limerick campus, over 18,000 students and 2,000 staff would not have been possible were it not for Chuck Feeney’s generosity.”

Dr Feeney pioneered the concept of duty-free shopping in the 1960s, and gave more than €1.5 billion to projects in Ireland via The Atlantic Philanthropies.

His "life-long ambition" was to invest his fortune of some €8bn in funding to education, including that of gender equality in third level institutions.

In tributes paid to Dr Feeney online this Monday, he has been described as “remarkable” and “very down to earth”.