Formerly known as the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG), the aim of the Institute is to investigate futuristic next-generation technologies, to verify their capabilities and applicability for today’s society, and to work in collaboration with industry to ensure their commercialisation. Walton Institute encourages inter-disciplinary research with prominent national and international reputation and competitiveness firmly positioning the South East of Ireland on the Knowledge Economy map.
Walton Institute is named after the renowned physicist and Nobel laureate, Dr. Ernest Walton. Born in Co. Waterford, Dr. Ernest Walton dedicated his life to academia receiving numerous prizes for excellence in physics and mathematics and, most notably, the Nobel Prize in physics in 1951 for being the first to split the atom.
To be an elite Research Institute that advances the role and science of ICT to benefit humanity, with a multidisciplinary driven research vision that will benefit the advancement of the field of ICT, and will counter future emerging global challenges.
To drive a unique ICT ecosystem that combines research and innovation through science, engineering and entrepreneurship that delivers real economic value to the long‐term competitiveness of the South East and Ireland.
Walton competes for collaborative tenders won in competition with other leading academic and industrial research centres and groups across Ireland and Europe. Funding comes from many sources but primarily from:
Enterprise Ireland | 34% |
European Union | 34% |
Higher Education Authority | 13% |
Science Foundation & The Irish Research Council | 19% |
Walton Institute is often recognised for its contributions in driving forward research and innovation. Here are just some of our recent awards.
Best Website in the Better World category at 2021 .eu Web Awards. Project: DEMETER | 2021 |
People's Choice Award at the KTI Awards. Project: CoronaVRus | 2020 |
Outstanding Academic Achievement of the Year Award at the IBEC Technology Ireland Awards. Project: Digital DNA Storage Infrastructure of the Future | 2019 |
Outstanding Academic Achievement of the Year Award at the ISA Software Industry Awards. Project: Smart Glove – Haptic Human Computer Interface System for AR/VR & Robotics | 2017 |
Walton Institute is headquartered at the South East Technological University (SETU)’s West Campus in Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland. We also have a research and innovation centre at the NUIM Kilkenny Campus at St. Kierans College, Kilkenny.