Visual History Retired Staff Collection IMAGES

Item Set

Items

• Winner of the Pierce Malone Scholarship, 1939
  The young man in the centre of the group is Tommie Lee, brother of Elizabeth (Nellie) Lee, who was later a professor of Chemistry, and uncle of Michael J. Brennan, Lecturer in Engineering. Information provided in 2016 by Michael J. Brennan: 'In 1939, Nellie Lee's brother, Tommie Lee, won the Pierce Malone Scholarship in Engineering. [...] Tommie Lee's son, Frank, my first cousin, and retired consulting engineer, recently found the correspondence from the College, UCG, to Tommie informing him of his success [...]. Graduation, as you will see from the photo, was noted in the Connacht Tribune on the 4th November 1939 with a photo of Tommie being elevated by his classmates in front of the Engineering School. The award amounted to £27. This might sound like a paltry sum, but it converts to € 2,149 today. The original negative of the photo and many more were destroyed in the fire that occurred in the Connacht Tribune Offices in 1969. ' The Pierce Malone Scholarship in Engineering was revived by the NUI in 2021. There is also a long-standing Pierce Malone Scholarship in Philosophy. Both of these prestigious Scholarships were established with funds willed to the University by Pierce Malone.
• The occasion of placing an Identification Stone in honour of Máirtín Ó Cadhain
  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.
• Naming of New Buildings, 1979
  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).
• Medical Graduation, 1978
  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.
• Microbiology Department Fire, 1978
  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.
• Switchboard Staff, 1979
  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.
• Library Staff
  Members of staff of the James Hardiman Library in the Catalogue section , possibly on the arrival of a new suite of computer terminals
• Cúrsa Gaeilge do Mhic Léinn in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain /Irish-language Course for Students in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain
  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.
• Cúrsa Oiliúna do Stiúrthóirí Naíonraí / Training Course for Directors of Irish-language Preschools
  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.
• Buaiteoirí sa bhFéile Drámaíochta, 1994 nó 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.
• Aisteoirí na hOllscoile, 1994-5
  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
• The College Seal
  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').
• An tUachtarán Máire Mhic Róibín in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain
  Uachtarán na hÉireann, Máire Mhic Róibín, ar cuairt chuig Áras Mháirtín UÍ Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe, i 1993 le comhdháil ar an aosoideachas sa Ghaeltacht a oscailt agus le hóráid a thabhairt. Ba é seo an chéad Ionad Ollscoile sa Ghaeltacht ag an gColáiste. Sa ghrianghraf seo tá Séamus Ó Grádaigh (Oifigeach an Aosoideachais) agus Peadar Mac an Iomaire (Stiúrthóir na Gaeilge Labhartha) ag caint leis an Uachtarán tar éis a léachta. Féach freisin íomhá 14524 ( 'An tUachtarán Máire Mhic Róibín (President Mary Robinson) in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain' / President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, on a visit to Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, Co. Galway, in 1993 to open a conference on adult education in the Gaeltacht and to deliver an address. This was the College's first Ionad Ollscoile (University Centre) in the Gaeltacht. This photograph shows Séamus O'Grady (Adult Education Officer) and Peadar Mac an Iomaire (Stiúrthóir na Gaeilge Labhartha) talking with the President after her lecture. See also image 14524 ('An tUachtarán Máire Mhic Róibín (President Mary Robinson) in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain').
• Oíche Sheanchais le Tom Pheaidí Mac Diarmada, 1990
  Tom Pheaidí Mac Diarmada (1909-2001), scéalaí, seanchaí agus file ón Lochán Beag, Cois Fharraige, le grúpa mac léinn le linn Oíche Sheanchais in Aibreán 1990 in Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua. Tom Pheaidí Mac Diarmada (1909-2001), storyteller, seanchaí and poet from An Lochán Beag, Cois Fharraige, with a group of students during an Oíche Sheanchais (a night of traditional storytelling) in April 1990 in Áras Mhairtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua.
• P. Mac an Iomaire, I. Mac Philip, M. Ó Briain
  Peadar Mac an Iomaire, Ivan Mac Philip (Léachtóir le Gnó agus Fiontar, GMIT) agus an Dr Máirtín Ó Briain (Léachtóir le Nua-Ghaeilge) ag caint. Peadar Mac an Iomaire, Ivan Mac Philip (Lecturer in Business and Enterprise, GMIT) and Dr Máirtín Ó Briain (Léachtóir le Nua-Ghaeilge) conversing
• BA á bhronnadh ar Pheadar Mac an Iomaire, 1966
  An chéim BA á bronnadh ar Pheadar Mac an Iomaire ag an Uachtarán, an Dr Máirtín S. Ó Tnúthail, i gcáil Sheach-Leas-Seansailéir Ollscoil na hÉireann, san Aula Maxima i bhFómhar 1966. Taobh leis, tá an tOllamh Michael V. Duignan (Deánach Dhámh na nDán) le hainmneacha na réamhchéimithe a léamh amach. Ar an mbord tá Más na hOllscoile agus hata oifigiúil an Uachtaráin. Tugann an t-íomhá léargas beoga ar shearmanas Bronnta na hama sin, agus na céimithe agus a ngaolta, lucht féachana agus baill den fhoireann acadúil ar mhullach a chéile sa spás beag sin. Ceapadh Peadar Mac an Iomaire, MA, ATO, TTG sa phost nua, Stiúrthóir na Gaeilge Labhartha, i 1973 agus ansin ceapadh ina Phríomhfheidhmeannach ar Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge é i 2003. Chuaigh sé ar scor i 2009. BA degree being conferred on Peadar Mac an Iomaire by the President, Dr Martin J. Newell, as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the NUI, in the Aula Maxima in Autumn 1966. Professor Michael V. Duignan (Dean, Faculty of Arts) stands beside him to read out the list of graduands, On the table are the University Mace and the President's official hat. The image gives a vivid insight into a Conferring ceremony of that period, with the graduands and their relatives, spectators and members of academic staff packed together in that small space. Peadar Mac an Iomaire, MA, ATO, TTG was appointed to the new post of Stiúrthóir na Gaeilge Labhartha in 1973 and then appointed Príomhfheidhmeannach of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in 2003. He retired in 2009.
• Foireann Oifig na Gaeilge Labhartha, 1991-2
  Foireann Oifig na Gaeilge Labhartha agus iad i mbun gnó le mac léinn. Mar is féidir a dhéanamh amach ón bhféilire, is i 1991-2 a glacadh an grianghraf. (Staff of Oifig na Gaeilge Labhartha conducting business with a student. As can be determined from the calendar, the photograph was taken in 1991-2)
• Illuminated address from QCG to University of Glasgow, 1901
  Illuminated Address from Queen's College, Galway to the University of Glasgow in 1901 in honour of its Ninth Jubilee, viz. the 450th anniversary of its foundation in 1451. The Address, entirely in Latin and bearing the arms of each institution in the left-hand margin with the Seal of QCG on a dark blue ribbon appended at the foot, bears the signatures of Alexander Anderson (President 1899-1934 and Professor of Physics 1885-1934) and Edward Townsend (Registrar 1880-1910 and Professor of Engineering 1860-1910). The document was produced by James McConnell, Dublin. It is a unique item in the University's Archives, as no copy (even black-and-white) of such actual Addresses has been preserved here, although the texts of various Addresses to royal visitors are recorded in the Minutebooks. The origin of the Address lay in an invitation to the College from the University of Glasgow, as set out in the Minutes of a meeting of the Corporate Body (comprising the President and Professors, since the Charter of 12.10.1863; previously, under the Charters of 1845 and 1849, comprising the President, Vice-President and Professors) of the College on 16.03.1901: 'The President read a letter which he had received from the Chancellor, University Court, and Senate of the University of Glasgow inviting this College to send Delegates to the ninth Jubilee of the Glasgow University on the 12 June 1901. The President and Professor Dixon were appointed Delegates'. Professor Alfred Cardew Dixon was Professor of Mathematics (1893-1901). The beautiful Latin text in Classical mode - for example, the greeting S.P.D. (Salutem Plurimam Dicit) at the outset - would presumably have been composed by Philip Sandford, Professor of Latin (1890-1903). The text is reproduced below under the 'Text in Image' heading, but the following literal translation gives the flavour: QUEEN'S COLLEGE AMONG THE GALWEGIANS SENDS CORDIAL GREETINGS TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS GLASGOW UNIVERSITY. BY YOUR GOOD WILL, very distinguished men, we also, having been called to take our share of the joy with which you are about to celebrate the four hundred and fiftieth birthday of that famous Academy, are gladly present and through men chosen from our Council - Alex. Anderson, M.A. President Alfred C. Dixon, Sc.D. Professor - we congratulate you from the heart on your most remarkable services to the human race, (and) pray for you everything auspicious and fortunate for the ages hereafter. Not the most unimportant reason furthermore that we, who recently scarcely ten lustrums* ago in the farthest shore of Ireland approached the cultivation of those studies which you have already through ninety lustrums* successfully adorned, are present at your secular** festival days; for a man most accomplished in the art of medicine, John Cleland, M.D., F.R.S., dear to both of us and honoured by both, who taught our students diligently for a long time, the same man now discharges similar duties among you with the same learning and with the same or even greater praise. This College therefore dares, as a youngest sister, to approach your ancient and renowned University with the utmost respect and to proclaim its devout prayers that it flourish forever and grow day by day. Farewell. At the writing were present Alexr Anderson President Edwd Townsend Registrar We gave (i.e. wrote) at Galway Ides*** of May 1901 James McConnell Dublin * A lustrum was a five-year period ** The term ‘secular’ here refers to a period of over 100 years *** 15 May (Transcription and translation by Séamus Mac Mathúna) The John Cleland highlighted in the text was Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in Queen's College, Galway from 1863 to 1877 before resigning to take up the Chair of Anatomy in the University of Glasgow.
• Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain - An Chloch Aitheantais
  An chloch aitheantais os comhair Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, a cuireadh ansin i 1983 nuair a ainmníodh an chéad Ionad Ollscoile Gaeltachta seo , a bunaíodh i lár na seachtóidí, ag an Ollscoil in ómós Mháirtín Uí Chadhain (1906-70), duine de mhórscríbhneoirí na Gaeilge, arbh as An Cnocán Glas, An Spidéal, dó . Ba í Gairmscoil na Ceathrún Rua a bhí sa bhfoirgneamh seo sula bhfuair an Ollscoil seilbh air chun na críche seo. Ba é Máirtín Bán Breathnach as Leitir Mór na Coille, agus a raibh coiréal aige ar Bhóthar Ard Loch an Iolra , a thug an chloch éibhir bhreá seo saor in aisce don Ollscoil, agus ba é Jesus Modia a rinne an greanadh uirthi. (The identification stone in front of Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua, placed there in 1983 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, a native of An Cnocán Glas, An Spidéal. This building was occupied by the Vocational School, Gairmscoil na Ceathrún Rua, before the University acquired it for this purpose. This fine granite stone was gifted to the University by Máirtín Bán Breathnach from Leitir Mór na Coille, who had a quarry on Bóthar Ard Loch an Iolra. The engraving was done by Jesus Modia.)
• Carrying the mace, conferring ceremony, 1968
  Pádraig Ó Fátharta, Head Porter, leads a procession of staff and recent graduates. Behind him, in the front row, are John Waddell, Professor Edmund Dougan and Joe McCabe. Towards the back, 3rd from the right, is Tom O'Connor.
• Remedial work on the playing fields, 1984-86
  In the first photograph, John Connell from Menlo, one of the University grounds team, is seen working to improve the drainage of the Dangan sports fields. The second photograph shows Bernard Finan standing beside the tractor with John Connell on the left. A fuller view of the team involved is seen in photograph number three, while the fourth and fifth photographs show the early results of the work from different angles and at different stages. In the mid 1980s the north campus playing fields, located in low-lying land near the River Corrib, were found to have drainage problems. A programme of work was undertaken to ensure that they could be used throughout the year. One method adopted was the creation of a network of intersecting slit trenches to eliminate surface water. Since that time the Dangan Sports Campus has been developed to include two GAA pitches, two soccer pitches, a rugby pitch, a training pitch, a hockey pitch, an athletics track, tennis courts and a sports pavilion. In the early days of the University managing the grounds was a much simpler task. The Calendar for 1897-1898 describes the outdoor amenities as follows: 'The Botanical Gardens, the cricket and football fields, the tennis and racquet courts are in the grounds surrounding the principal Building, as are also the Meteorological instruments, which are in charge of one of the College officers' (Calendar, p. 42). The Galway campus now extends to 105 hectares along the River Corrib. The University also manages field stations in Finnavarra, and Carron in the Burren, and Carna in Connemara, all locations of exceptional importance for biodiversity.
• President Mary Robinson opens the Women's Studies Centre, 11 March 1991
  In March 1991, just over three months after her inauguration, President Mary Robinson visited NUI Galway to open the Women's Studies Centre (WSC) in a house in the recently built Corrib Village. Seen here with President Robinson are (l.-r.): Anne Byrne, Elizabeth Tilley, Jane Conroy. The WSC had been created in 1988. A seminar series was initiated that year and for several years an Interdisciplinary course in Women's Studies was provided for 1st-year Arts undergraduates. Until the time of President Robinson's visit the WSC had no designated office space. In 1992 the WSC began publication of the first women's studies journal in the country. The series continued until 2004. These volumes, being of importance for the history of gender studies in Ireland, have been made available online by the University of Galway Library. Atlantic Philanthropies generously funded Women's Studies in NUI Galway for several years. A video recording of the entire event was made by Patsy Clancy, who heroically hand-held a camera in a crowded room for the duration (47 minutes). She had asked permission to make the video and it was granted. Afterwards she made a copy for herself, in case the original went missing. This is the copy that she put on You Tube in early 2024. It captures the excitement of the occasion, and the sense of a corner being turned that the participants all shared. The recording can be viewed via the link below.
• Aerial view of the north campus, 1989/90
  A view of the area by the Corrib River where new sports facilities were to be developed. This is now the site of the Sports Pavilion and playing fields. The buildings on the right are the nursery and maintenance yard used by buildings and grounds staff.
• Outside Áras na Mac Léinn
  Seen here in the foreground, in front of Áras na Mac Léinn, are (l.-r.) Séamus Grimes, Pádraig Ó Carra, Michael D. Higgins, Iognáid Ó Murchartaigh and Bernard (Brian) Finan. The man glimpsed between Séamus Grimes and Padraic Ó Carra is Eamon Cannon. The others present have not been identified.
• The College Flag
  The acquisition of a College Flag was authorised in 1919. Standing Committee, 16/06/1919: 'The Committee authorised Prof. Rishworth to order a College Flag, the colours to be maroon and white, no arms or emblems to be employed'. On 26/03/1920, the Committee 'requested the Secretary to take charge of the College Flag. They decided (1) that it is to be used only in the College, and (2) that it is to be used only on the occasion of Inter-Collegiate matches, College or Inter-Collegiate Sports, and funerals of members of the College'.