Former University of Limerick president led college 'through an extraordinary period of growth'

THE former president of the University of Limerick (UL) Prof Roger Downer has been remembered as a man who led the college through an “extraordinary period of growth.”

Prof Downer, who passed away on Saturday, held the position of president and vice-chancellor of UL between 1998 and 2006, a period in which its campus expanded from Castletroy to south-east Clare, and the building of a first bridge between the two counties for 200 years.

Current UL president Kerstin Mey said: “Prof Downer led UL through an extraordinary period of growth and development in his eight years at the helm of the institution. He elevated the position of research at UL with the establishment of a vice-president research role and ultimately achieved a five-fold increase in research income during his presidency. He placed equal importance on teaching and introduced Ireland’s first Dean of teaching and learning position at UL.”

Under Prof Downer’s leadership, there was a significant capital development programme which saw the building of the UL Sports Arena – including the Olympic-sized swimming pool, two student accommodation villages, the Kemmy Business School extension and the first creche for the children of staff and students at any Irish third-level college.

President Emeritus Professor Roger Downer (RIP) has left an indelible mark on University of Limerick, we are very grateful for him and for his legacy at UL. https://t.co/8KbQj8bPMk

— University Of Limerick (@UL) November 20, 2022

UL chancellor Mary Harney added: “One of Prof Downer’s many legacies is UL’s school of medicine. He worked throughout his presidency to establish a new medical school for Ireland at UL against much opposition it must be said. Prof Downer felt strongly that post graduate medical education should be introduced in Ireland as a new pathway to medical education beyond the CAO. He and his colleagues embarked on an ambitious task of establishing post graduate medical education at UL, competing with existing Irish medical schools leading to the establishment of UL Medical School in 2007 the first medical school since the formation of the Irish State. ”

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Prof Downer was diagnosed with stage four Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2004, six years into his term as UL president, ultimately leading to his early retirement in 2006.

“We are very fortunate to have had Roger Downer’s dedication and drive for University of Limerick. He has left an indelible mark on this institution and on our community,” Prof Mey said.

Prof Downer passed away surrounded by his loving family. He's deeply missed by his loving wife Jean, son Kevin, daughters Katie and Tara, daughter in law Carla, sons in law Darrell and Aiden, grandchildren Stephanie, Justin, Ronan, Adam, Emmett, Hayley, Vincent and Edmund, plus relatives, colleagues and many friends.

He will repose at Keller's Funeral Home in Nenagh on Monday evening from 5pm to 7pm.

His funeral will be arriving on Tuesday morning to St Flannan's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Killaloe for a service at 11am before he's laid to rest in Portroe.

Family flowers only, donations, if desired, to Irish Cancer Society.

Roger's funeral service can be viewed on https://st-flannans.weebly.com

May he rest in peace.