National University of Ireland, Galway
Encyclopedia
The National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway) (Irish
Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh or OÉ Gaillimh) is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland
. It is a tertiary-level
educational institution located in Galway
, Ireland
.
The university was founded in 1845 as Queen's College, Galway and was more recently known as University College, Galway (UCG) (Irish: Coláiste na hOllscoile, Gaillimh or COG). The current President
, Taoiseach
, Tánaiste
and Attorney General of Ireland
are all past pupils. The actor Martin Sheen
has also attended.
. The Irish Universities Act, 1908 made this college a constituent college
of the new National University of Ireland
, and under a new charter the name of the college was changed to University College, Galway. The university college was given special statutory responsibility under the University College, Galway Act, 1929 in respect of the use of the Irish language
as the working language of the college. The university college retained the name University College, Galway until 1997 when the Universities Act, 1997 changed the name to National University of Ireland, Galway. The constituent universities of the National University of Ireland rank among the most prestigious centers of higher learning in the country.
The university is located near the centre of the city and stretches along the River Corrib
. The oldest part of the university, the Quadrangle, designed by John Benjamin Keane, is a replica of Christ Church
, one of the colleges at the University of Oxford
. The stone from which it is built was supplied locally. Newer parts of the university sprang up in the 1970s and were designed by architects Scott Tallon Walker
. The 1990s also saw considerable development including the conversion of an old munitions factory into a student centre. Recent developments include a state-of-the-art University Sports Centre (Ionad Spóirt), a new Health Science Building, Cairne's School of business and the Engineering Building.
- College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
- College of Business, Public Policy and Law
- College of Engineering and Informatics
- College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
- College of Science.
Staff are represented by the SIPTU
trade union (for academic, research, administrative and technical workers) and the Irish Federation of University Teachers (for academic workers only).
The Sunday Times
University Guide named the university as Irish University of the Year 2002-2003, 2009-2010. NUI Galway was placed at 232 in the 2010 THE–QS World University Rankings. This increase to 232nd in the world, was the third consecutive jump for NUI Galway, and represented an increase of an incredible 252 places in just three years. This result confirms NUI Galway’s position as one of Ireland’s leading universities, and a growing force in research on the international stage”. The 2011 QS World Rankings put NUIG at 298 worldwide.
Since January 2006 St. Angela's College, Sligo
has been a college of the National University of Ireland, Galway; it was previously a recognised college of the National University of Ireland. This change in the relationship will mean that students of St. Angela's College, Sligo will be registered as students of the National University of Ireland, Galway; whilst degrees and diplomas awarded will be those of the National University of Ireland.
NUI Galway has also announced details of plans to make the university a 'campus of the future', at a cost of around €400 million.
NUI Galway formed a strategic alliance with University of Limerick
in 2010, allowing for shared resources.
(or the Historical Studies Society). Cumann Staire is a leading member of the Comhaltas na gCumann Staire - Irish History Students' Association and the International Students of History Association
.
The Film Society produces original films and founded the NUI Galway Student Cinema; one of the most popular venues for students with multiple films per week. The Business Society aims to get more students thinking about business and opening their minds to new ideas or to help students who want to get involved in business in any form in the future. The Computer Society hosts all other societies emails and websites, and have one of the largest memberships. The Rotaract
Society, part of the international Rotary family, hosts the annual charity fashion show, 'Socs in the City'. The college's Drama Society (Dramsoc) has also been long regarded as one of the most important student societies for the arts in Galway having played a part in the formation of Macnas
, Druid Theatre Company
and The Galway Arts Festival
. GUMS, the university's vibrant award winning musical society continues to draw large crowds to its annual musicals in the Black Box Theatre. This event is one of the highlights of the college year calender, usually held in February during the Muscailt Arts festival.
In February the university hosts annually an on-campus arts festival entitled Múscailt (meaning to awake/inspire/celebrate in Irish). The annual festival showcases the emerging artists of the university. Almost every society on campus has input. Various shows, concerts and exhibitions are displayed throughout the college. The week often features various inter-varsity or on-campus competitions and award ceremonies.
The ALIVE Programme - A Learning Initiative and the Volunteering Experience - was established in 2003 by the National University of Ireland, Galway to harness, acknowledge and support the contribution that its students make by volunteering. The programme draws on a strong tradition of student engagement both on and off campus and assists students who wish to actively volunteer while developing tangible and transferable skills alongside practical volunteering experiences.
The University announced it would be withdrawing its support for the Students' Union run RAG week in 2009 after the arrests of over 40 students. €32,000 was raised for charity by the week.
and Malaysia. Various societies are present in the University to cater for international students, including the International Students Society, Malaysian Societyand many more.
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh or OÉ Gaillimh) is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
. It is a tertiary-level
Tertiary education
Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...
educational institution located in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
The university was founded in 1845 as Queen's College, Galway and was more recently known as University College, Galway (UCG) (Irish: Coláiste na hOllscoile, Gaillimh or COG). The current President
Michael D. Higgins
Michael Daniel Higgins is the ninth and current President of Ireland, having taken office on 11 November 2011 following victory in the 2011 Irish presidential election. Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster. Higgins was President of the Labour Party until his...
, Taoiseach
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
, Tánaiste
Eamon Gilmore
Eamon Gilmore is an Irish Labour Party politician and the current Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has been the Leader of the Labour Party since September 2007, and a Teachta Dála for the Dún Laoghaire constituency since 1989, first with the Workers' Party of Ireland, and...
and Attorney General of Ireland
Máire Whelan
Máire R Whelan SC is an Irish barrister and senior counsel who was appointed to the post of Attorney General on 9 March 2011 by President Mary McAleese on the nomination of the Taoiseach...
are all past pupils. The actor Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen
Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
has also attended.
History
The college opened for teaching in 1849 as Queen's College, Galway with 37 professors and 91 students and a year later became a part of the Queen's University of IrelandQueen's University of Ireland
The Queen's University of Ireland was established formally by Royal Charter on 3 September 1850, as the degree-awarding university of the Queen's Colleges of Belfast, Cork, and Galway that were established in 1845 "to afford a university education to members of all religious denominations" in...
. The Irish Universities Act, 1908 made this college a constituent college
University college
The term "university college" is used in a number of countries to denote college institutions that provide tertiary education but do not have full or independent university status. A university college is often part of a larger university...
of the new National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
, and under a new charter the name of the college was changed to University College, Galway. The university college was given special statutory responsibility under the University College, Galway Act, 1929 in respect of the use of the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
as the working language of the college. The university college retained the name University College, Galway until 1997 when the Universities Act, 1997 changed the name to National University of Ireland, Galway. The constituent universities of the National University of Ireland rank among the most prestigious centers of higher learning in the country.
The university is located near the centre of the city and stretches along the River Corrib
River Corrib
The River Corrib in the west of Ireland flows from Lough Corrib through Galway to Galway Bay. The river is among the shortest in Europe, with only a length of six kilometres from the lough to the Atlantic. It is popular with local whitewater kayakers and is the training ground of , as well as...
. The oldest part of the university, the Quadrangle, designed by John Benjamin Keane, is a replica of Christ Church
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, one of the colleges at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
. The stone from which it is built was supplied locally. Newer parts of the university sprang up in the 1970s and were designed by architects Scott Tallon Walker
Scott Tallon Walker
Scott Tallon Walker is an architecture practice with its head office in Dublin, Ireland and further offices in London, Galway and Cork. It is one of the largest architecture practices in Ireland...
. The 1990s also saw considerable development including the conversion of an old munitions factory into a student centre. Recent developments include a state-of-the-art University Sports Centre (Ionad Spóirt), a new Health Science Building, Cairne's School of business and the Engineering Building.
Presidents of the university
| Name of President | Year |
|---|---|
| Rev. Dr Joseph W. Kirwan Joseph W. Kirwan Rev. Dr. Joseph William Kirwan was an Irish clergyman and educationalist, who served as the first president of Queen's College Galway.Kirwan was born in Galway in 1796. He entered the National Seminary at St... |
1845-1849 |
| Edward Berwick Edward Berwick Edward Berwick was an Irish lawyer and educationalist, and served as President of Queen's College Galway from 1850 until 1877.Berwick was the son of the Rev. Edward Berwick, a Church of Ireland clergyman who was rector of the parish of Esker, County Dublin. Given personal tuition by Dionysius... |
1849-1877 |
| Sir Thomas William Moffett Thomas William Moffett Sir Thomas William Moffett was an Irish scholar and educationalist, who served as President of Queen's College Galway.Moffett was born at Castleknock, County Dublin, on 3 June 1820... |
1877-1897 |
| William Joseph Myles Starkie | 1897-1899 |
| Dr Alexander Anderson Alexander Anderson (physicist) Alexander Anderson was an Irish physicist and President of Queen's College Galway, later University College Galway, from 1899 until 1934.... |
1899-1934 |
| Monsignor John Hynes John Hynes John B. Hynes , a Massachusetts politician, was mayor of Boston 1950-1960.Family backgroundHynes was the son of Bernard Hynes, Abbey Street, Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland, who emigrated to Boston about 1890... |
1934-1945 |
| Monsignor Pádraig de Brún Pádraig de Brún Monsignor Pádraig de Brún was an Irish clergyman, mathematician and classical scholar, who served as President of University College Galway.... |
1945-1959 |
| Dr Martin J. Newell Martin J. Newell Martin J. Newell was an Irish mathematician and educationalist, who served as President of University College Galway from 1960 to 1975.... |
1960-1975 |
| Dr Colm Ó hEocha Colm Ó hEocha Colm Ó hEocha was an Irish scientist and educationalist, who served as president of University College Galway and Chairman of the New Ireland Forum.Ó hEocha was born in Dungarvan, County Waterford, in 1926... |
1975-1996 |
| Dr Patrick F. Fottrell | 1996-2000 |
| Dr Iognáid G. Ó Muircheartaigh | 2000-2008 |
| Dr James J. Browne | 2008 to present |
Recent developments
Like the other constituent universities of the National University of Ireland, the university follows the common college structure. The five Colleges of the University are:- College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
- College of Business, Public Policy and Law
- College of Engineering and Informatics
- College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
- College of Science.
Staff are represented by the SIPTU
SIPTU
SIPTU , or in Irish: CSTGT is Ireland's largest trade union, with around 200,000 members. Most of these members are in the Republic of Ireland, although the union does have a Northern Ireland branch...
trade union (for academic, research, administrative and technical workers) and the Irish Federation of University Teachers (for academic workers only).
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times (UK)
The Sunday Times is a Sunday broadsheet newspaper, distributed in the United Kingdom. The Sunday Times is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of News International, which is in turn owned by News Corporation. Times Newspapers also owns The Times, but the two papers were founded...
University Guide named the university as Irish University of the Year 2002-2003, 2009-2010. NUI Galway was placed at 232 in the 2010 THE–QS World University Rankings. This increase to 232nd in the world, was the third consecutive jump for NUI Galway, and represented an increase of an incredible 252 places in just three years. This result confirms NUI Galway’s position as one of Ireland’s leading universities, and a growing force in research on the international stage”. The 2011 QS World Rankings put NUIG at 298 worldwide.
Since January 2006 St. Angela's College, Sligo
St. Angela's College, Sligo
St. Angela's College, Sligo is a college of the National University of Ireland, Galway since 2006. Prior to this, since 1978, the college was a recognised college of the National University of Ireland. St. Angela’s College, Sligo was founded by the Ursuline Order in 1952.The college is located...
has been a college of the National University of Ireland, Galway; it was previously a recognised college of the National University of Ireland. This change in the relationship will mean that students of St. Angela's College, Sligo will be registered as students of the National University of Ireland, Galway; whilst degrees and diplomas awarded will be those of the National University of Ireland.
NUI Galway has also announced details of plans to make the university a 'campus of the future', at a cost of around €400 million.
NUI Galway formed a strategic alliance with University of Limerick
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
in 2010, allowing for shared resources.
University Rankings
| QS World University Rankings QS World University Rankings The QS World University Rankings is a ranking of the world’s top 500 universities by Quacquarelli Symonds using a method that has published annually since 2004.... |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Arts & Humanities | Natural Sciences | Engineering & IT | Social Sciences | Life Sciences |
| 2005 | |||||
| 437 | |||||
| 2006 | |||||
| 437 | |||||
| 2007 | |||||
| 484 | 312 | 389 | 427 | 323 | 386 |
| 2008 | |||||
| 368 | 260 | ||||
| 2009 | |||||
| 243 | 272 | 250 | |||
| 2010 | |||||
| 232 | 274 | 301-350 | 301-350 | 351-400 | 301-350 |
| 2011 | |||||
| 298 | 389 | 379 | 367 | 357 | |
Student activities
With approximately 17,000 students, the university boasts an active and vibrant student life, with over 60 sports clubs and over 83 active societies. The oldest society on the campus is the Literary & Debating Society, founded in 1846. Another of the campus's oldest societies is appropriately enough that dedicated to the subject area of history, now known as the Cumann StaireCumann Staire
-Events:An Cumann Staire organises many events over the academic year, academic and social. These are attended by students and staff alike.-Academic:...
(or the Historical Studies Society). Cumann Staire is a leading member of the Comhaltas na gCumann Staire - Irish History Students' Association and the International Students of History Association
International Students of History Association
The International Students of History Association is an international non-governmental organization of students of history. Based and active mainly in Europe, ISHA's goals are to facilitate communication and provide a platform of exchange for students of history and related sciences on an...
.
The Film Society produces original films and founded the NUI Galway Student Cinema; one of the most popular venues for students with multiple films per week. The Business Society aims to get more students thinking about business and opening their minds to new ideas or to help students who want to get involved in business in any form in the future. The Computer Society hosts all other societies emails and websites, and have one of the largest memberships. The Rotaract
Rotaract
Rotaract originally began as a Rotary International youth programme in 1968 and has now grown into a major Rotary-sponsored organisation of over 8,700 clubs spread around the world and 200,000 + members. It is a service, leadership and community service organisation for young men and women between...
Society, part of the international Rotary family, hosts the annual charity fashion show, 'Socs in the City'. The college's Drama Society (Dramsoc) has also been long regarded as one of the most important student societies for the arts in Galway having played a part in the formation of Macnas
Macnas
Macnas is a performance company based at the Fisheries Field in Galway, Ireland. Its public performances are noted for exuberance, colour and spectacle...
, Druid Theatre Company
Druid Theatre Company
The Druid Theatre Company, founded in Galway in 1975, was the first Irish professional theatre company to be established outside Dublin. The theatre company was founded by Garry Hynes, Marie Mullen and Mick Lally after the three had met and put on productions together while members of the...
and The Galway Arts Festival
Galway Arts Festival
Galway Arts Festival is an annual arts festival that takes place each July in Galway, Ireland. It is Ireland’s leading arts festival and one of the most successful and influential arts enterprises in the country. The Festival is one of the key European arts festivals...
. GUMS, the university's vibrant award winning musical society continues to draw large crowds to its annual musicals in the Black Box Theatre. This event is one of the highlights of the college year calender, usually held in February during the Muscailt Arts festival.
The ALIVE Programme - A Learning Initiative and the Volunteering Experience - was established in 2003 by the National University of Ireland, Galway to harness, acknowledge and support the contribution that its students make by volunteering. The programme draws on a strong tradition of student engagement both on and off campus and assists students who wish to actively volunteer while developing tangible and transferable skills alongside practical volunteering experiences.
The University announced it would be withdrawing its support for the Students' Union run RAG week in 2009 after the arrests of over 40 students. €32,000 was raised for charity by the week.
International Students
NUI Galway has a strong community of international students, which make up 13% of the student population. It welcomes over 500 Visiting Students from colleges and universities around the world each year, from countries including the USA, CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Malaysia. Various societies are present in the University to cater for international students, including the International Students Society, Malaysian Societyand many more.
Notable students
- Michael D. HigginsMichael D. HigginsMichael Daniel Higgins is the ninth and current President of Ireland, having taken office on 11 November 2011 following victory in the 2011 Irish presidential election. Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster. Higgins was President of the Labour Party until his...
, Ninth President of Ireland; - Enda KennyEnda KennyEnda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
(TaoiseachTaoiseachThe Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
of Ireland, T.D., and leader of Fine GaelFine GaelFine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
party); - Eamon GilmoreEamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore is an Irish Labour Party politician and the current Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has been the Leader of the Labour Party since September 2007, and a Teachta Dála for the Dún Laoghaire constituency since 1989, first with the Workers' Party of Ireland, and...
(TánaisteTánaisteThe Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade T.D. and leader of Labour Party); - Pat RabbittePat RabbittePat Rabbitte is an Irish Labour Party politician who has been Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources since March 2011...
(Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,T.D. and former leader of Labour Party); - Seán SherlockSeán SherlockSeán Sherlock is an Irish Labour Party politician. He has been a Teachta Dála for Cork East since May 2007, and is the Minister of State for Research and Innovation.-Early life:...
Minister of State for Research and InnovationMinisters of State of the 31st DáilThis is a list of Ministers of State of the 31st Dáil. On 9 March 2011, the 29th Government of Ireland was nominated by Dáil Éireann on the advice of the Taoiseach, and then appointed by the President...
, T.D.; - Máire WhelanMáire WhelanMáire R Whelan SC is an Irish barrister and senior counsel who was appointed to the post of Attorney General on 9 March 2011 by President Mary McAleese on the nomination of the Taoiseach...
S.C. (Attorney General of IrelandAttorney General of IrelandThe Attorney General is a constitutional officer who is the official adviser to the Government of Ireland in matters of law. He is in effect the chief law officer in Ireland. The Attorney General is not a member of the Government but does participate in cabinet meetings when invited and attends...
); - Martin SheenMartin SheenRamón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
, an actor who had not previously attended University, enrolled at the National University of Ireland, Galway, in 2006 for one semester to study philosophy, English literature and oceanography. - General Sir Bindon BloodBindon BloodGeneral Sir Bindon Blood GCB was a British military commander who served in Egypt, Afghanistan, India and Africa.-Military career:...
, British military commander;
See also
- Education in the Republic of IrelandEducation in the Republic of IrelandThe levels of education in Ireland are primary, secondary and higher education. In recent years further education has grown immensely. Growth in the economy since the 1960s has driven much of the change in the education system. Education in Ireland is free at all levels, including college , but...
- List of universities in the Republic of Ireland
- List of alumni of the National University of Ireland, Galway
- James Hardiman LibraryJames Hardiman LibraryThe James Hardiman Library is the main library at the National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. It is situated on the main campus, beside the Arts/Science Concourse, the Arts Millennium Building and Aras na Gaelige. It is named after James Hardiman who was the first Librarian in the...
- Digital Enterprise Research InstituteDigital Enterprise Research InstituteThe Digital Enterprise Research Institute, DERI, is a research institute at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Its focus is research into the Semantic Web and Web Science. It was established as a Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology in 2003 with funding from Science Foundation...
, an NUIG-hosted Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) focusing on research in the Semantic WebSemantic WebThe Semantic Web is a collaborative movement led by the World Wide Web Consortium that promotes common formats for data on the World Wide Web. By encouraging the inclusion of semantic content in web pages, the Semantic Web aims at converting the current web of unstructured documents into a "web of... - J.E. Cairnes School of Business & EconomicsJ.E. Cairnes School of Business & EconomicsThe J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics is located at NUI Galway. It is named after a former lecturer at the University, the economist John Elliott Cairnes...
- NUI Galway Students' Union
- Sin NewspaperSin NewspaperSin Newspaper is a student newspaper in Galway, Ireland. Its offices are based at the National University of Ireland, Galway . Sin is printed fortnightly and covers news about Galway events on and off campus, while its entertainment and features sections aim to entertain and provoke debate and...
- University College Galway R.F.C.University College Galway R.F.C.University College Galway RFC is the rugby team of the National University of Ireland, Galway. Their colours are maroon and white. Although they have had a dip in form in recent years and are not currently competing in the AIB League , they have won more Connacht Senior Cup titles than any other...