The original College Seal, shown here, was circular, with the College Arms, surmounted by a scroll with the motto 'DEO FAVENTE', enclosed within a border on which were inscribed the words 'QUEEN'S COLLEGE, GALWAY' at the top and 'FOUNDED A.D. MDCCCXLV' at the bottom. This image was taken from an 1875 Certificate issued to a student, Frederick Mullarkey. The current College Seal, acquired in 1911 as a consequence of the College's becoming University College, Galway in 1908, carries the same Arms, except for the date '1845' on the scroll in place of the motto. The border, however, carries the legend 'THE COMMON SEAL OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, GALWAY' in place of the previous name and date. For the full history and details of the College Arms and College Seal, see image 14389 ('Arms of QCG, UCG, NUI Galway and University of Galway / Ollscoil na Gaillimhe').

Mic léinn ó Chumann Drámaíochta an Choláiste agus iad gléasta mar aisteoirí ag Féile Drámaíochta na gColáistí Tríú Leibhéal i 1994 nó 1995 / Students from the College's Cumann Drámaíochta in actors' garb at the Irish-language Drama Festival for Third-level Colleges in 1994 or 1995

Buaiteoirí sa bhFéile Drámaíochta i 1994 nó 1995 in éindí leis an Moltóir. Tá pláta de thrófaí, a bhfuil 'Gradam na Féile' greanta air, á thaispeáint ag gach duine des na mná. Prizewinners at the Irish-language Drama Festival in 1994 or 1995, with the Adjudicator on the right in the back row. Each of the women holds a plate trophy with 'Gradam na Féile' (Festival Award) engraved thereon.

Cruinniú a tionóladh in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, ag deireadh na seachtóidí idir àn Coláiste, Coiste Gairmoideachais Cho. na Gaillimhe, ionadaithe thuismitheoirí na háite, agus Na Naíonraí Gaelacha d'fhonn cúrsa oiliúna a chur ar fáil do Stiúrthóirí Naíonraí sa cheantar. / Meeting held in Áras Mháirtín U Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, in the late 1970s between the College, the Co. Galway Vocational Education Committee, representatives of local parents and Na Naíonraí Gaelacha (the national Irish-language Preschool organisation), with a view to the provision of a training course for Directors of Naíonraí (Irish-language Preschools) in the area.

Mic léinn ag freastal ar chúrsa Gaeilge in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, ag deireadh na seachtóidí. / Students attending an Irish-language course in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, in the late 1970s.

Members of staff of the James Hardiman Library in the Catalogue section , possibly on the arrival of a new suite of computer terminals

The three College telephonists operating the new, fully electronic SL-1 telephone system, including a teleprinter, installed in late 1978. The new exchange, developed by Northern Telecom (which manufactured some of the equipment at its Galway factory), was housed on the ground floor of the Arts/Commerce Building directly under the Bank of Ireland. From March 1979, the total number of outside lines in the College was increased from 25 to 40. The Switchboard, whose three staff provided an excellent and fully bilingual service, was of course a crucial operational link with the outside world at the time.

The fire which totally destroyed the Microbiology Department building (Block P) in late 1978. The building was built in 1967 to accommodate Second Agricultural Science and Science students, then located temporarily in the Regional Hospital. The Department at the time was the only Microbiology Department in the NUI which gave full Pass and Honours degrees in Microbiology. With the rapid growth in student and staff numbers over the previous decade, Block P had been enlarged several times and now housed 195 undergraduates and 25 research staff, as well as sophisticated equipment. Through the efforts of Gerry Lee (Buildings Secretary) and many Science Departments, emergency accommodation was arranged for undergraduate and some postgraduate work.

The graduating Medical class of 1978 after conferral of the MB, BCh, BAO degrees on them in June 1978, standing on the steps of the Aula Maxima, with members of the academic staff of the Faculty of Medicine seated in front with the President and the Registrar.

In 1979, the Minister for Education, John Wilson, TD, unveiled plaques naming new buildings in the College in a ceremony which marked the completion of the £1.5 million second phase of its major building programme. Pictured here with the Minister (far right) are the President, Secretary-Bursar and Buildings Officer of the College and the Secretary to the Department of Education. The buildings named comprised lecture theatres ( Téatar John E. Cairnes, Teatar D'Arcy W. Thompson, Téatar Ruairí Uí Fhlathartaigh, Teatar Richard Kirwan, Téatar Thomáis Diolún agus Téatar Charles A. McMunn), laboratories (Saotharlann G. Johnstone Stoney and Saotharlann W. McNevin) and the library (Leabharlann James Hardiman).

This is a photograph of the three Professors who held the part-time statutory office of Registrar of the College, each for two terms of three years, over the period 1974-92. On the left is An tOllamh Déaglán Ó Caoimh (Professor J.D. O'Keeffe), Professor of Civil Engineering (1958-96), who served as Registrar from 1980 to 1986; in the centre is Professor Declan M. Larkin, Lecturer in Experimental Physics (1947-65) and Professor of Electron Physics (1965-86), who served as Registrar from 1974 to 1980; and on the right is Professor Patrick F. Fottrell, Lecturer in Biochemistry (1965-70), Associate Professor of Biochemistry (1970-76), Professor of Biochemistry (1976-96) and subsequently President (1996-2000), who served from 1986 to 1992. The photograph was taken at a function in 1986 to mark the retirement of Professor Larkin after 39 years' service. The office of Registrar prior to 1969 was a part-time but permanent statutory appointment from among the Professors and Lecturers of the College. Under Statute LXXVIII (1969) - in the context set out under Image 14387 (Séamus Ó Cathail, Rúnaí Acadúil / Academic Secretary) - it became a three-year part-time appointment by the Governing Body, on the nomination of the Academic Council, from among the Professors and Associate Professors of the College, subject to a maximum of two terms or six years in any one case; the holder was also now formally ranked immediately after the President. Subsequently, under Statute CCX (1992), the office of Registrar was made fulltime and the office of Academic Secretary / Rúnaí Acadúil was replaced by the office of Secretary for Academic Affairs / Rúnaí um Ghnóthaí Acadúla. In 2001, under Statute CCLXVII, the office of Registrar was retitled the office of The Registrar and Deputy-President of the University / Meabhránaí agus Uachtarán Ionaid na hOllscoile, with revised provisions, including a four-year term, subject to a maximum of two terms, and the addition of Lecturers and College Lecturers to the academic grades from which the appointment is to be made.

An official photograph of the members of the Governing Body / Coiste Rialaithe of UCG in office for the period 1 February 1986 - 31 January 1989, together with the two senior administrative officers who serviced it. Missing from the photograph are Most Rev, Dr Eamonn Casey (Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh; nominee of Minister of Education), Donagh O'Donoghue (elected by the NUI Senate), Professor James N. Flavin (elected by Academic Council), Mícheál Ó hUiginn (elected by Galway Corporation), Rt Rev. John R.W. Neill (Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry; nominee of Minister of Education).

This is the University Mace, a symbol of the corporate authority of the institution. (Originally, a mace was a type of cudgel or early battle implement, but later evolved in decorative form to become a symbol of royal authority and was then extended to become a symbol of authority in the realm of civic and public bodies, including Universities.) Our Mace is carried and displayed at ceremonial occasions and in particular at all Degree Conferring ceremonies. It is delicately engraved with winding stalks, roses, thistles, shamrocks and the English royal insignia, Engraved on shields on the head are, on one side, the Arms of Queen's College, Galway, surmounted by the motto 'Deo Favente', and, on the opposite side, the inscription 'Queen's College GALWAY. FOUNDED MDCCCXLV'. The Mace is about 5ft in length and weighs about 200 ounces. It was acquired by the Council of Queen's College, Galway in 1877: at its Meeting of 6 June 1877, 'The estimate of Mr West of Dublin for supplying a Mace to the Corporate Body at a cost of £110 being fully considered, it was resolved to accept it - Professor Thompson alone dissenting'. The following day, the Bursar, Prof. George Johnston Allman, wrote to Messrs West & Son, confirming the College's wish to have a ceremonial silver mace manufactured and delivered before August 1 in preparation for the visit to the College of the Lord Lieutenant, The Duke of Marlborough, and informing them that their proposal to make a silver mace for £110 had been accepted. Finally, at the Council's Meeting of 9 August 1877, 'Bursar was directed to pay the account due to Mr West of College Green for the Mace lately supplied to the College: £110'. The Mace was, as intended, brought into use for the first time in August 1877 when it was laid at the feet of the Lord Lieutenant on the occasion of his visit to the College. An address of welcome was presented to him in the Aula Maxima by members of the College Council.

The picture was taken on the occasion of the placing of an identification stone in front of Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, when the University's first Ionad Ollscoile Gaeltachta was named in honour of Máirtín Ó Cadhain (1906-70), one of the great Irish-language writers (S. Mac Mathúna, 'Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain’). The picture shows from left to right: Colm Ó hEocha, Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, and Peadar Mac an Iomaire. Colm Ó hEocha was Lecturer in Chemistry (1955-1963), Professor of Biochemistry (1963-1975), and President (1995-1996). Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh graduated with a BA from the University of Galway followed by an MA. He completed his postgraduate studies at Peterhouse College, Cambridge. He was appointed to the Council of State by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins in 2012. He received an Honorary Doctorate from National University of Ireland in 2017. He is Professor Emeritus in History and former Dean of Arts and Vice-President of the University of Galway (Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh graduated with a BA from the University of Galway followed by an MA. He completed his postgraduate studies at Peterhouse College, Cambridge. He was appointed to the Council of State by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins in 2012. He received an Honorary Doctorate from National University of Ireland in 2017. He is Professor Emeritus in History and former Dean of Arts and Vice-President of the University of Galway (Wikipedia, Tuathaigh, Mar., 2024). Peadar Mac an Iomaire, MA, ATO, TTG was appointed to the new post of Stiúrthóir na Gaeilge Labhartha in 1973 and he was appointed Príomhfheidhmeannach of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in 2003. He retired in 2009.

The picture was taken at the opening of Teach na Gaeilge, Distillery Road and shows from left to right: Colm Ó hEocha, President of the University; Pádraig Flynn, Minister for the Gaeltacht, and Diarmuid Ó Cearbhaill. Colm Ó hEocha was Lecturer in Chemistry (1955-1963), Professor of Biochemistry (1963-1975), and President (1995-1996). Pádraig Flynn was a Fianna Fáil politician and served as Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo West constituency from 1977 to 1994. During that period, he was a Minister of several portfolios. He also served as European Commissioner for Social Affairs from 1993 to 1999 (Wikipedia / Flynn, Mar., 2024). Diarmuid Ó Cearbhaill was appointed Léachtóir ar Gheilleagar agus Tráchtáil in 1967 and he retired in 1994.

The picture shows Fr. Michael Bailey, OFM, (on the left) with Fr. Gerry Jennings holding a cake, commemorating the Silver Jubilee of Fr. Michael’s ordination as a Franciscan priest. Fr. Michael Bailey was appointed Chaplin of a new St. Anthony’s Parish in Oudstrijderslaan, near Brussels, in 1973 and was there until the spring of 1987, when he was then appointed Pastoral supervisor / Chaplin at the University of Galway. He later was appointed Curate in Salthill Parish. Fr. Gerry Jennings was appointed Pastoral supervisor / Chaplin / Dean of Residence at the University of Galway in 1986 and was there for fourteen years before moving to become Parish Priest in Salthill Parish Church in 2000. He retired in 2023.

This 19th century photograph, reproduced from glass plates in the Chemistry Department, shows Prof. A. W. von Hofmann (extreme right) from Giessen University (Germany) and later the Royal College of Chemistry in London, with four other key Chemistry figures linked to Liebig's pioneering School of Practical Chemistry at Giessen. Hofmann, according to Prof. R.N. Butler, for over seventy years had 'an enormous influence on the development of Chemistry in Great Britain and Ireland generally, and Galway in particular', influencing Chemistry in Galway directly from 1849 to 1918 through the Professors in Galway who had worked under or with him, viz. Edmund Ronalds (1849-56), Thomas H. Rowney (1856-89), Augustus E. Dixon (1889-91) and Alfred Senier (1891-1918), and indirectly Edward Divers (Assistant in QCG, 1854-66 and later the first Professor of Chemistry at the University of Tokyo). The survival in the Department of Chemistry ever since of this glass-plate photograph of those early figures associated with Liebig's School is in itself evidence of the continued memory in Galway of the historic link between Giessen and the development of Chemistry in Galway.

A group of mostly fourth (final) year Physics students, along with some technical staff, and some postgraduate students at a Physics Christmas party. Participants’ names are given below, left to right: Back row: Pádraig Ó Droighneán (Technician); John Treacy (Postgraduate, B.Sc., Ph.D.); Unidentified (Library); Brian O’Neill (Postgraduate, B.Sc., M.Sc.); Unidentified; Evelyn Murphy (Postgraduate, B.Sc., M.Sc.); Briege Clarke (B.Sc., Postgraduate?); Unidentified (4th year student); Pat Hogan (Technician); Unidentified (4th year student); Unidentified (4th year student); Unidentified (4th year student); Jim McCoomb (4th year student); Simon Depinna (Postgraduate, B.Sc., Ph.D.) Seated on the left: Mai Wims (Physics Secretary); Kneeling on the right, Middle row: Hilda Martin (Postgraduate, B.Sc., M.Sc.); Unidentified (4th year student); Unidentified (4th year student); Unidentified (4th year student); Unidentified (4th year student) Kneeling on the right, front row: Pat Hoade [Morgan] (Postgraduate, B.Sc., Ph.D.); Unidentified (4th year student); Unidentified (4th year student)

Some 2nd Science students are included in this picture attending the Science Dress Dance in 1974. Names are given below, from left to right: Back row: Unidentified; Jim McCormack; Chrissie Killeen; Gerry Morgan; Breda Hoban; James Quinn; Ali Bennett (?); Catherine Caulfield; Mick Brougham; Gráinne McGlinchey; Tommy Kelly Middle row: Deirdre Joyce; Frank__(?) Army Officer; Susan Gallagher Front row: Mick Loughnane; Unidentified; Herman Scho (Visiting student from West Germany); Angela Kilduff

During the 1972 GIBS / JIBS (Freshers) Week, the male Captain of the Rowing Club was asked by a student in the audience if women were welcomed in the club, and his reply was yes. One of the female Science students, Chrissie Killeen, who was petite, said she was interested, and she was installed as the cox of the Senior Men’s Senior Eight Team – she was the first female cox at the Henley Regatta. The picture shows female and male students getting a briefing near a rowing boat at the jetty beside the University’s Boat Club. Seated in the boat is Catherine Caulfield – a Physics student. Chrissie Killeen is standing erect on the right of the group, wearing a light-coloured jacket.

Students of the Clifden Extramural Studies with their Tutors and other members of College staff, standing on the steps of the podium of the Library and Arts/Commerce and new Science buildings, following their Diploma conferral ceremony in Autumn 1979.

Work in progress on the internal reconstruction of the Aula Maxima in 1979 -80, by introducing an intermediate floor, to allow for use of the ground floor as a theatre and of the upper floor as a concert hall. The new floor was inserted on top of the existing balcony wall, thus avoiding the necessity for demolition and preserving the mouldings and details of the fine Victorian architecture of the Aula Maxima (originally called the Examination Hall). The original building was designed by John Kane and built between 1846 and 1849. The concert hall had a seating capacity of approximately 160, and the student theatre of approximately 140. New access stairs were also provided in the wings on both sides of the Aula. The new halls were in use for Summer examination purposes and were fully furnished by Septemeber 1980.

The picture shows Jim Larkin standing on a support bench, installing a Helium line to Block R from the Hydrology Laboratory. Block R, behind the Men's Club and boat house, was built in 1965, as research laboratories and staff offices (Tom O’ Connor, 1999, p.199). James P. Larkin was Assistant in the Department of Experimental Physics (1960-62). He was Junior Lecturer in Experimental Physics (1968-1975) and he was Lecturer (retitled Senior Lecturer in 2002) in Experimental Physics (1975 – 2004).

Two pictures of UCG are shown, with the upper picture with the clock tower and turrets mainly in view, due to trees being in full foliage. The sports field in the foreground along with goalposts is also to be seen. The lower picture about five months apart, and from approximately the same location, shows a clear view of the University, due to the trees being now bare.

Picture 1 shows six rowing boats moored on the Eglinton Canal with a bridge in the background. Part of Galway Cathedral can also be seen. The Men’s Club was close by and was where students usually accessed the boats that they used to row up to Lough Corrib, or to train for rowing competitions (J. Ward et al., Asset Id 14208). Picture 2 shows 'Cabhlach an Choláiste', [The College's Fleet] of about twenty six boats close to the Men's Club (Nuacht, 1978).