National University of Ireland, Galway
The
National University of Ireland, Galway (
NUI, Galway) (
Irish Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh or
OÉ, Gaillimh) can trace its existence to 1845 as
Queen's College, Galway and was known until recently as
University College, Galway (
UCG) (Irish:
Coláiste na hOllscoile, Gaillimh or
COG). The university is located in
Galway,
Ireland.
|
The Clock Tower of the Quadrangle |
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 Ireland. 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 and made the college a
constituent university of the National University of Ireland.
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 factory into a student centre and sports hall.
The
Sunday Times University Guide named the university as
Irish University of the Year 2002 - 2003 [
1].
The college boasts an active and vibrant student life, with over 40 clubs and almost 70 societies. The largest of these is the
Literary & Debating Society, of which all staff and students are members. 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.
Like the other constituent universities of the National University of Ireland, the university follows the common faculty structure. The seven faculties of the university are Arts, Celtic Studies, Commerce, Engineering, Law, Medicine & Health Sciences and Science. Staff are represented by the
SIPTU trade union (for academic, administrative and technical workers) and the Irish Federation of University Teachers (for academic workers only).
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[
2].
The actor
Martin Sheen, who has never attended college, has announced that he will enroll at National University of Ireland, Galway, in Fall 2006. [
3]
*Rev.Dr
Joseph W. Kirwan 1845-1849
*
Edward Berwick 1849-1877
*Sir
Thomas William Moffett 1877-1897
*
William Joseph Myles Starkie 1897-1899
*Dr
Alexander Anderson 1899-1934
*Monsignor
John Hynes 1934-1945
*Monsignor
Pádraig de Brún 1945-1959
*Dr
Martin J. Newell 1960-1975
*Dr
Colm Ã" hEocha 1975-1996
*Dr
Patrick F. Fottrell 1996-2000
*Dr
Iognáid G. Ã" Muircheartaigh 2000-present
*
Dramsoc :: Student Dramatic Society :: Provides community for those with any level of interest in theatre. Everyone has an opportunity to become involved through amature productions throughout the year and
Staged and Confused every Wednesday night. Most importantly, its great craic!
|
Members of Dramsoc at the end of year party. |
*
Education in the Republic of Ireland*
List of universities in the Republic of Ireland*
List of alumni of the National University of Ireland, Galway*
Official university site*
NUI, Galway Students' Union
