Each year, 36 students are awarded Naughton Scholarships, with at least one winner from each County in the Republic of Ireland. These scholarships are awarded to exceptional students intending to pursue STEM fields at University, encouraging them to serve as worldwide leaders in their fields in the future.
"The tangible support offered by the Naughtons was life-changing to me when I received the scholarship. I can see the legacy the Naughtons are achieving and the community that they've managed to create, cultivate and encourage among us." --Previous Scholarship Recipient
The Naughton Family Yearly Retreat Weekend at Notre Dame Kylemore is designed to celebrate these scholars, encourage their professional development, and build community. Students take part in adventure and team-building activities, enjoy in-house entertainment, and learn from prestigious and inspiring speakers, who are at the highest level in their respective fields, including sports, business, psychology and academia.
The Naughton family has close ties to the University of Notre Dame on both sides of the Atlantic. They offer the Naughton fellowship which encourages Irish students and students from the University of Notre Dame to take part in research projects in a transatlantic exchange of talent and academic excellence.
2025 Speakers
Gerry Duffy
Gerry Duffy is a dynamic speaker who inspires audiences to take action, making him the perfect choice for senior leaders, conference organisers, and event planners. With over 2,500 presentations across Ireland, Europe, and the USA, he has transformed teams in industries like tech, pharma, finance, construction, and hospitality.
For 15 years, Gerry has motivated organisations such as Aldi, British Gas, Facebook, Google, KPMG, PayPal, and SAP to elevate their performance.
With a huge interest in sport, Gerry has set out to accomplish some very extensive achievements including running 32 marathons in 32 days and completing ten iron-distance triathlons in 10 days. He integrates these lessons into his talks, emphasising how determination leads to transformative outcomes.
Leo Varadkar
Leo Varadkar was Taoiseach or Prime Minister of Ireland from 2017- 2020 and again from 2022-24. He served in cabinet for 13 years in the Ministries of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Enterprise, Trade, Employment, Social Protection and Health. He represented the Dublin West Constituency (District) in the Irish Parliament between 2007 and 2024. Leo is a member of Ireland’s Council of State. A medical doctor my training, he is graduate of Trinty College Dublin.
As Prime Minister, he helped lead Ireland through the Pandemic with one of the internationally-recognised best public health and economic responses. He led Ireland through Brexit preventing a hard border between North and South, maintaining Ireland’s place at the heart of the European Union, its single market and upholding the Good Friday Agreement. The Governments he participated in; lifted Ireland’s ban on abortion and improved LGBT rights including the introduction of marriage equality. He also prioritised equality between men and women including gender pay gap reporting, greater diversity on state and corporate boards and linking state funding for political parties to election candidate quotas. He published Ireland’s first public health law on alcohol misuse and Ireland’s first Maternity/Infant Healthcare Strategy and Sexual Health Strategy. As Health Minister, he introduced free GP visits for children and seniors and improved management of chronic disease in the community.
Past Speakers
Eddie Murphy
Dr. Eddie Murphy is the psychologist on RTE’s Operation Transformation where his practical, respectful and hope orientated approach using cutting edge psychological research – CBT, Mindfulness, Solution Focused therapy, to help you become your real self. An engaging, dynamic and entertaining public speaker, he has given many seminars and training events on mental health, wellness to the general public, schools, professionals, organisations and companies.
Jack O'Meara
Jack O'Meara is the Co-founder and CEO of Ochre Bio, a biotechnology company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using breakthroughs in genomics, computation and organ perfusion, Ochre hopes to turn the tide on one of the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time. In his role as CEO, Jack has raised over $40M from renowned global investors, built a seasoned executive team and board, and progressed a pipeline of novel RNAi medicines towards the clinic.
Dermot Whelan
Dermot Whelan is an award-winning Radio and TV Broadcaster, Author, Comedian, and Meditation Expert. He previously presented the hugely popular Dermot and Dave Show on Today FM, and has appeared on television shows and stages all across the globe. He has picked up more than 15 IMRO Radio Awards, a National Meteor Award and an ong at the New York Festival Awards for the World’s Best Radio Shows.