MsOrla Hegarty

Orla Hegarty B.Arch. FRIAI RIBA is Course Director for the Professional Diploma (Architecture). This post-graduate programme is the final professional examination for architectural graduates leading to entry to the 'Register for Architects' in Ireland. Orla was previously in architectural practice in Ireland, UK and France and began contributing to the UCD Professional Practice programme in 1998, before becoming Course Director in 2004.

She is a Registered Architect in Ireland (RIAI) and the UK (ARB), a fellow of the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland), a member of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), and formerly External Examiner at Kingston University, London (2014-18) and Birmingham School of Art and Design (2018-21). She has been an examiner for the RIAI Professional Practice Examination (1996-2003), she was actively involved in the RIAI Board of Architectural Education (1996-2014) and is a member of the Association of Professional Studies Advisors in Architecture (APSAA) in the UK (2008-date).

Orla contributes regularly to public policy, including commentary in international and national broadcast and print media on the subjects of the built environment, the construction industry, housing and environmental aspects of pandemic and public health. She has appeared as an expert witness to the Oireachtas (Irish parliamentary) committee on Housing (regulation in the construction industry, vacancy, housing standards and defects, fire safety, building control, construction costs, etc.) and Health (Covid-19- environmental, public health and regulation).