Trinity pays tribute to Dr Martin Naughton
Posted on: 04 July 2026
Trinity's Provost Dr Linda Doyle said: "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."
It is with great sadness that the community of Trinity College Dublin has learned of the death of Dr Martin Naughton, entrepreneur, philanthropist and a cherished friend of Trinity.
Over more than three decades, Dr Naughton (pictured below) and his wife Carmel built a relationship with the University that was defined by a shared belief in the power of education to change lives. Throughout Trinity's 433-year history, the University has had few friends whose commitment, vision and enduring support have had such a profound impact on our community.
Dr Naughton believed deeply that education and research can transform society, and that investing in young people is one of the most meaningful ways to shape the future. These convictions inspired a partnership with Trinity that has benefited generations of students and researchers.
His vision and transformational gift in 2018 is the foundation on which the Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry at Trinity is built. This will support the education of engineers, computer scientists and natural scientists to find sustainable solutions to pressing global challenges, and will officially open in the autumn of 2026.
In addition, the Naughton Foundation Scholarships have helped hundreds of students who have faced financial barriers pursue STEM studies at third level. The impact of these scholarships continues to be felt in the classrooms, laboratories, workplaces and communities these students have gone on to enrich.
Trinity's Provost Dr Linda Doyle added: "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."
Dr Naughton built Glen Dimplex into the world’s largest manufacturer of domestic heating appliances and one of the most successful Irish companies in the history of the state. He had an in-depth and farsighted understanding of the needs of industry and the economy, combined this with an awareness of industry’s responsibility to seek sustainable solutions for a better planet. Dr Naughton was recognised with the prestigious Oslo Business for Peace Prize in 2018 for his efforts ‘to promote the role of the private sector in contributing to peace and environmental sustainability’.
A native of county Louth, Dr Naughton, with his wife Carmel, worked throughout the years of conflict in Northern Ireland to promote peace and reconciliation, hosting business leaders from both communities and helping to negotiate cross-border trade. As philanthropists, the Naughtons have supported multiple all-Ireland initiatives in education, research, science, arts and culture and were recognised with numerous awards, including the Légion d’Honneur and ‘Philanthropists of the Year’ by the Community Foundation for Ireland.
In one of his last acts as Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis conferred the honour of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great upon Martin and Carmel Naughton in recognition of their outstanding philanthropy in the areas of education and the arts.
Dr Naughton and Carmel shared the rare distinction of working with four successive Provosts, helping to shape Trinity's ambitions over more than 30 years. They have been trusted partners, generous supporters and valued members of the wider Trinity family.
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.
ENDS