Region VIII Conference

Looking for a way to get connected?! Join us at our next Regional Conference to become more engaged with ACUI. Regional Conferences focus on building community, offering professional development, expanding networks, connecting with mentors, and learning skills that can translate to any career. Regional Conferences have been designed with a renewed focus on emerging professionals and students to help them connect with others, share ideas, and learn best practices.

2026 Regional Conference | University of Limerick

International Experience (November 17–19) & Conference (November 20–21)

The conference is our chance to come together and share knowledge and insight about the amazing work and thinking happening in our region. This year’s theme, Fáilte (‘Welcome’ in Irish) will guide our experience and learning, encouraging us to welcome new delegates, viewpoints and experiences from across the region, as well as embrace our new location.

The international experience will take place from November 17–19, and covers multiple higher education providers (and other points of interest, e.g. Galway, Cliffs of Moher) across Ireland. The Region VIII Conference will follow on November 20–21 at the University of Limerick, Ireland. We are looking forward to welcoming delegates from the region to this first-ever Region VIII Conference hosted outside of North America.

Interested in regional awards presented at the conference? Or regional scholarships? Learn more!

Registration

Region VIII Conference & International Experience

The International Experience also includes conference registration and lodging. This is currently only available to U.S. members through September 18, when it will be open to international members as well (if space available).

Single Occupancy – $1,750
Double Occupancy – $1,650
Retiree – $1,500

Region VIII Conference Only

This registration is for full conference registration for November 20–21 and does not include the preconference International Experience or lodging.

Professional Member – €310
Professional Nonmember – €395
Student Member – €220
Student Nonmember – €305
Retiree – €175

Educational Sessions

If you would like to submit an educational session for the conference, please use the 2026 Region VIII Conference Session Proposal form This could be an activity, a roundtable discussion, panel, or a presentation. Please submit your proposal by October 9.

Submit an Educational Session

Schedule

International Experience

The experience will kickoff on November 17 with a Meet & Greet Breakfast at Dublin City University. Attendees will then spend time visiting Maynooth, University College Cork, Blarney Castle, Cliffs of Moher, University of Galeway, and Mary Immaculate College before heading to the University of Limerick for the Regional Conference, starting November 20.

View the Full International Experience Schedule

Travel

Hotel

Castletroy Park Hotel
Bookings for the hotel can be made by contacting the hotel on reservations@castletroypark.ie using reference ACUI Region VIII Conference. Alternatively, call +353 61 335 566.

Delegates have the choice of flying into Dublin Airport (DUB) or Shannon Airport (SNN). For the International Experience, which begins in Dublin City University, Dublin is the most convenient. Shannon Airport (SNN) is more convenient if you are planning to head straight to the conference at the University of Limerick (UL). For information, Dublin Airport is approximately a 2-and-a-half-hour journey from the University of Limerick, and Shannon Airport is approximately 30 mins from it.

For your return flights, both airports offer US Customs Pre-Clearance, meaning US-bound delegates clear immigration in Ireland and land back home as domestic passengers. If you have a connecting flight, we recommend connecting in the US for this reason. Dublin Airport offers more choice and often offers better value.

Transatlantic & UK Flight Options

Aer Lingus: Operates daily non-stops to Dublin from Boston, Hartford, NY (JFK/EWR), Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Vancouver, and Toronto, plus daily non-stops into Shannon from Boston and NY (JFK).
Delta, American, JetBlue & Air Canada: Offer direct non-stop Dublin connections from Boston, NY (JFK), Chicago, Philadelphia, and Toronto.
United Airlines: Flies daily to Dublin from Newark, Chicago, and D.C., with seasonal non-stops to Shannon from Newark and Chicago.
Air Canada and WestJet: Offer several flights to Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Halifax, and Vancouver
UK Connections: Frequent daily flights connect major UK airports to Dublin via Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and British Airways.

Attending the International Experience?

The most convenient option is to fly into Dublin (DUB) for the International Experience and out of Shannon (SNN) after the conference, saving you a transfer back to Dublin. Most major airlines offer this ‘Multi-City’ option at no extra cost. However, do your research and take into account the cost and your schedule.

Attending the Conference only?

Located 20 miles (30 km) west of UL, Shannon is ideal for conference-only attendees. A 30-minute taxi to campus costs ~€40–€50. Alternatively, take the local bus (Expressway Route 51 or Bus Éireann 343) into Limerick City Centre to transfer to the Castletroy Hotel.

If you do opt to fly into Dublin (for cost or schedule reasons), options for travel to Limerick are listed below.

Travel time from Dublin Airport: 15–20 minutes

The International Experience kicks off at Dublin City University (Glasnevin Campus). Most flights from the US arrive early morning, so the Student Centre (U Building) will be open early (time TBC)

Taxis & Ride-Hailing: Taxi ranks operate directly outside Terminals 1 and 2 (fares range from €18 to €25). Uber works in Ireland but dispatches standard metered taxis. The most common local app for booking taxis is Free Now.
Public Bus: Dublin Bus routes 19, 41, and 16 depart directly from the airport terminal area and stop along Whitehall/Collins Avenue, a short walk from the DCU Glasnevin campus entrance. Fares are under €3 and coins only.

Option 1: Direct Express Bus (Recommended)

Express coaches offer the simplest journey from Dublin Airport because they drop off directly on the UL campus without requiring a transfer in Limerick City.

JJ Kavanagh (Route 735): Runs direct express coaches from Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre straight to the UL campus (UL Stables stop).
Dublin Express & Citylink: Provide hourly service from Dublin Airport to Limerick City Centre (Arthur’s Quay stop).

Option 2: Irish Rail (Train)

Dublin to Limerick: Trains run hourly from Dublin Heuston Station to Limerick Colbert Station (journey time: ~2 hours 15 minutes). Heuston Station is located approximately 25km (15 miles) from Dublin Airport on the other side of Dublin City.
Colbert Station to UL: From the train station, take Bus Éireann Route 304 or 304A directly to the UL Stables stop (runs every 15 minutes). Taxis outside the station take about 15 minutes (~€15).

Important Note for International Experience Delegates:

If you are registered as part of the International Programme, your accommodation is included in your conference package and arranged directly by the CPT. You do not need to book a room.

For All Other Attendees: Conference Hotel – Castletroy Park Hotel

Attendees booking their own lodging can reserve rooms at the Conference Hotel – the Castletroy Park, located adjacent to the University of Limerick campus.

How to Book: Contact the hotel directly by emailing reservations@castletroypark.ie or calling +353 61 335 566.

Conference Rate Reference: Quote ACUI Region VIII Conference when making your reservation to access negotiated event rates.

If the Castletroy Hotel is fully booked, the nearby Kilmurry Lodge is the designated overflow hotel, and we have also secured a preferential rate with them. You can book directly using discount code Kilmurry at kilmurrylodge.com

Ireland’s visa and passport requirements vary for different nationalities, so check with your local embassy or consulate before you travel. If you require proof of conference attendance, please contact us in sufficient time to process the visa.
UK Delegates (Common Travel Area): UK citizens do not need a visa to enter Ireland under Common Travel Area rules. However, airlines still require a valid passport at check-in.
Payments & Currency: The currency in Ireland is the Euro (€). Contactless card payments (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere. If paying cash on local buses, note that drivers require exact change in coins or a Visitor Leap Card.
Electricity & Plugs: Ireland uses Type G three-pin plugs (230V / 50Hz), identical to the UK. Delegates from North America or Canada will need a plug adapter and should check that dual-voltage electronics support 230V.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding travel routes, accessibility requirements, or scheduling, please reach out to a member of the CPT.

Attendees booking their own lodging can reserve rooms at the Conference Hotel – the Castletroy Park, located adjacent to the University of Limerick campus.

How to Book: Contact the hotel directly by emailing reservations@castletroypark.ie or calling +353 61 335 566.

Conference Rate Reference: Quote ACUI Region VIII Conference when making your reservation to access negotiated event rates.

Conference Planning Team

Co-Chairs
Úna Redmond, Dublin City University
Dee Kennelly, Mary Immaculate College

Education Team
Podge Sheehan, Dublin City University, Lead
Rocio Hernandez Chavez, Bentley University
Dana Umble, University of Vermont

International Team
Dave Cuddihy, Mary Immaculate College, Lead
Cheyenne Alexander, UMass–Lowell

Operational Team
Madeleine Aborn, University of Vermont, Lead
Chloe Wilkinson-Silk, University of Arts London
Iina Gronlund, University of Westminster
Kim Pho, ACUI Central Office

2027 Conference Chair
Joe Castelot, Dartmouth

Request approval to attend the ACUI Region VIII Conference with this justification letter template. It highlights the benefits of attendance, from professional growth to institutional impact, empowering you to build a strong case for your request.

Download template