University of Galway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
University of Galway

Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
Latin: Universitas Galviam
Former names	Queen's College, Galway University College, Galway National University of Ireland, Galway
Motto	Deo Favente
Motto in English	With the favour of God
Type	Public
Established	30 December 1845; 179 years ago (1845-12-30)
Founder	Queen Victoria
Budget	€360 million (2022)
President	Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh
Chair of Údarás na hOllscoile	Dr Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Academic staff	1,587
Total staff	2,650
Students	19,663 (2021/22)
Undergraduates	14,337 (2021/22)
Postgraduates	5,326 (2021/22)
Address	University Road , Galway , H91 TK33 , Ireland 53°16′44″N 9°03′36″W / 53.279°N 9.060°W / 53.279; -9.060
Campus	Urban, 105 hectares (260 acres)
Language	English Irish
Colours
Affiliations	AUA Coimbra Group EUA NUI IUA UI ENLIGHT }
Website

The University of Galway (Irish: Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) is a public research university. It is located in the city of Galway, Ireland.

The university started in 1845 as "Queen's College, Galway". Over the years, its name changed several times. From 1908 to 1997, it was known as "University College, Galway" (UCG). Then, from 1997 to 2022, it was "National University of Ireland Galway" (NUI Galway). In September 2022, it officially became the "University of Galway".

The University of Galway is part of the Coimbra Group. This is a group of 40 old and respected universities across Europe.

History of the University of Galway

The university began in 1845 as Queen's College, Galway. Two other colleges, Queen's College, Cork, and Queen's College, Belfast, were also started at the same time. The first classes began on October 30, 1849, with 68 students. In 1850, it became part of the Queen's University of Ireland.

The Quadrangle Building

The university campus is near the city centre, stretching along the River Corrib. The oldest part is the Quadrangle, which includes the Aula Maxima. It was designed in a Tudor Gothic style, similar to Christ Church at the University of Oxford. This building was made from local limestone.

In 1908, Queen's College, Galway, changed its name to University College, Galway (UCG). It became a part of the new National University of Ireland (NUI). UCG was given a special job to use the Irish language as a working language.

Many new buildings were added to the campus in the 1970s and 1990s. An old factory was even turned into a student centre. In the early 2000s, the university planned to become a "campus of the future." This big project cost around €400 million.

In 2003, Nelson Mandela visited the university. He received an honorary degree during his visit. In 2009, students protested against plans to bring back college fees.

Many modern buildings have been added in the 21st century. These include a sports centre, the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, and the Alice Perry Engineering Building. The university also built the BioSciences Research Building and the O'Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance.

The university is committed to fairness and equality for all. It has worked to improve gender equality among its staff. In 2018, the university received bronze status in the Athena SWAN award. This award recognizes efforts to advance gender equality in higher education.

In 2020, the university launched its "Shared Vision, Shaped By Values" plan for 2020–2025. Also in 2020, it received €4 million from the EU for its Solar2chem project. This project supports research and new ideas.

On September 1, 2022, the university officially changed its name to the "University of Galway."

Colleges and Schools

Before 2007, the university had seven main areas called faculties. These were divided into many departments. In 2007–2008, the university changed its structure. It now has five colleges, which are divided into different schools.

Áras Moyola, home to the School of Nursing and Midwifery, and other schools

St Anthony's, part of the JE Cairnes School of Business & Economics

Alice Perry Engineering Building, part of the College of Science and Engineering

Here are the current colleges and schools:

• College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
  • School of Political Science and Sociology
  • School of Psychology
  • School of Education
  • School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies
  • School of English and Creative Arts
  • School of History and Philosophy
  • School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge
• College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Nursing and Midwifery
• Adult Learning and Professional Development
• College of Business, Public Policy and Law
  • JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics
  • School of Law
  • Shannon College of Hotel Management
• College of Science and Engineering
  • School of Biological and Chemical Sciences
  • School of Computer Science
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
  • School of Natural Sciences
  • School of Physics

Since 2015, the Shannon College of Hotel Management has been fully part of the university. It joined the College of Business, Public Policy & Law. All staff and students from Shannon College became part of the University of Galway.

Research and Discovery

Ryan Institute

The University of Galway has five special Research Institutes. It also has many Research Centres and Units. These institutes focus on important research that often involves different subjects. They work with other researchers in Ireland and around the world.

Some interesting research includes making sugar coatings for medical devices. They also study how spider bites can sometimes lead to hospital visits.

Supporting the University

The Galway University Foundation (GUF) was started in 1998. Its goal is to get financial help for the university. This support comes from individuals and organizations. The Foundation works to build relationships with people who care about the university's mission. They have many important projects they are working on.

James Hardiman Library, University of Galway

The main library building is called the James Hardiman Library. It is named after the library's first librarian, James Hardiman.

Student Life at University of Galway

Student Societies

The University of Galway has about 150 active student societies. These groups cover many interests. They range from academic studies to arts, sports, and social action. There are also groups for different cultures and special interests.

The oldest society is the Literary and Debating Society, founded in 1846. Dramsoc, the drama society, started in 1914. Cumann Staire is one of Europe's oldest history societies. Many of Ireland's main political parties also have student groups on campus.

Flirt FM is a community radio station located on campus. It is run by the Radio Society. GUMS, the university musical society, puts on musicals every year.

An Cumann Gaelach and An Cumann Drámaíochta are the main Irish language societies. They help celebrate Irish culture and language.

Sports Clubs

The University of Galway has more than 40 sports clubs. These clubs offer a wide range of activities. You can find indoor sports like archery and badminton. There are water sports like rowing and sailing. Martial arts like judo and karate are also popular.

The university also has teams for popular Irish field sports. These include association football, Gaelic football, hurling, and rugby union. They also play cricket, hockey, and lacrosse.

NUI Galway GAA teams compete in major Gaelic football and hurling cups. NUI Galway RFC is the most successful rugby team in the Connacht Senior Cup. University of Galway FC plays in local and college football leagues.

The campus has great sports facilities. These include the Dangan Sportsground and the Kingfisher sports centre.

Connacht Rugby Partnership

In 2013, the university started sponsoring Connacht Rugby. This is a professional rugby team located nearby. The partnership also created a "High Performance Education Partnership." This allows young rugby players to study at the university while training.

Soon after the partnership began, Connacht Rugby won the Pro12 title in 2016. Many players from their academy, who were also university students or graduates, helped the team win. The partnership was renewed in 2017.

Students' Union

The Students' Union helps students and represents them to the university leaders. The president for the 2023–2024 school year is Dean Kenny.

The Students' Union also supports fundraising events like RAG Week. This event helps raise money for charities.

International Students

Students from other countries make up over 12 percent of the student population. This means the University of Galway is a diverse and welcoming place for students from all over the world.

People of the University of Galway

University Presidents

Famous Alumni

Many well-known people have studied at the University of Galway.

• Keith Barry, a performing artist
• Fiona Everard, a national champion runner
• Michael D. Higgins, the 9th President of Ireland
• Enda Kenny, a former Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister)
• Aifric Keogh and Fiona Murtagh, Olympic bronze medalists in rowing
• Martin Sheen, a famous actor
• Nicola Coughlan, an actor

Notable Faculty Members

The university has also had many notable teachers and researchers.

• Emily Anderson - the first professor of German
• Nicholas Canny - a historian
• Michael D. Higgins - a sociologist, who later became the 9th President of Ireland
• Alice Perry - an engineer
• George Johnstone Stoney - a physicist

In Books and Media

The University of Galway is often featured in books and stories.

Breandán Ó hEithir's novel Lig Sinn i gCathú is set in a fictional version of Galway. It tells the story of student life in 1949. This book has even been part of the secondary school Leaving Certificate syllabus.

Tom Curtin's novel Melting Pot: An Irish Odyssey follows three students from University College Galway. They leave Ireland for New York in 1969.

University Rankings and Reputation

The University of Galway has earned five QS stars for excellence. This means it is ranked among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide. Its ranking has improved for six years in a row.

In 2016 and 2017, the university was ranked highly in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). It was the second-best Irish university, after Trinity College Dublin. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings also placed it highly.

The Sunday Times University Guide has named the University of Galway its "University of the Year" three times. It won in 2002–2003, 2009–2010, and again in 2018.

See also

In Spanish: Universidad de Galway para niños

• Education in the Republic of Ireland
• List of universities in the Republic of Ireland