Please see the Christmas closure details, and information on reducing energy consumption for Christmas 2024.
All University buildings will be closed Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.
South Campus
University buildings, will in general, be closed from Friday evening 20th December 2024 to Thursday 2nd January 2025. Access for University staff and postgraduate students will be provided over the holiday period between the hours of 09.30 to 18.00, excluding 25th and 26th December and 1st January. These time restrictions are for safety and security reasons. Please contact security (01 708 3929) if access required.
The Library will close at 17:00 on Friday 20th December and reopen at 08:00 on Thursday 2nd January. See Library website for details.
College Buildings will close on the evening of the 20th December 2024 and reopen on 2nd January 2025.
The grounds of the College on the South Campus will be closed to vehicular traffic from the 23rd December to 2nd January 2025. Access will be provided to staff and residents of the College (Please contact security (01 708 3929) if access required). Pedestrian access to the grounds of the College will be permitted on 27th to 31st December 2024.
North Campus
University buildings, will in general, be closed from Friday evening 20th December 2024 to Thursday 2nd January 2025. Access for University staff and postgraduate students will be provided over the holiday period between the hours of 09.30 to 18.00, excluding 25th and 26th December and 1st January. These time restrictions are for safety and security reasons.
All University buildings will be locked and alarmed over the holiday period. Security can be contacted on 01 7083929 should access to buildings be required. Notices will be posted at the entrances to the College and University to indicate when the grounds are open to the public.
Reducing energy consumption over the Christmas break can significantly help our University save on costs and reduce our carbon footprint. This month is about the Christmas Shutdown, cutting energy waste, and minimising the strain on the nation’s electricity network at times of peak demand.
Here are the Top Ten tips:
- Implement a 'holiday heat reduction' program by lowering the wall or radiator thermostat in unoccupied buildings, where available.
- Remember to switch off all lights in advance of the holidays, if you will not be in the buildings.
- Where possible, wrap up in warm clothes to avoid unnecessary reliance on excessively heating the buildings.
- Switch off any non-essential electrical equipment overnight and for periods where your rooms will not be occupied, including turning off 'stand-by' mode.
- Avoid any unnecessary overcharging of phones, laptops and other equipment, and utilise the equipment's batteries to their fullest capacity of charge.
- Engage with staff to ensure the message is shared to drive energy reduction measures forward.
- Ensure all windows and doors remain closed where facilities are not in use to conserve heat and reduce energy consumption overall.
- Stay active, using the stairs instead of lifts, where possible is a great way to keep healthy and reduce power consumption.
- Reduce water consumption where possible, ensuring all taps are turned off when not in use and to limit the run time of taps when using them.
- The University uses smart technology to manage energy consumption, such as our Building Management Systems, so report any faults in a timely manner.
Implementing these strategies can help our University make significant energy savings during the holiday season and by doing so you will be contributing to a better future environment and help the country achieve the sustainability targets.
If you wish to be part of the drive to achieving carbon reduction and have any practical suggestions for reducing energy consumption or promoting sustainability initiatives, please feel free to email these to Estates at [email protected]
Wishing you a peaceful and restful winter break.
Michael Rafter
Director of Estates