An official photograph of the members of the Governing Body / Coiste Rialaithe in office for the period 1 February 1980 – 31 January 1983, together with the two senior administrative officers servicing it. Missing are 3 members, viz. Mícheál Ó hUiginn (representing Galway Corporation ?), and two others.
Pictured, from left to right: 
Third row: Seán McEvoy (Mayo Co. Council), Professor Martin L. Newell (graduates’ nominee), Most Rev. Michael Harty (Bishop of Killaloe; Clare Co. Council nominee). Michael P. J. (‘Bobby’) Curran (graduates’ nominee), Séamus Ó Cathail (Rúnaí Acadúil / Academic Secretary), Dioraí Ó Coirbhin (Rúnaí-Sparánaí / Secretary-Bursar).
Second row: An tOllamh Eustás Ó Héideáin, Dr Hubert McDermott (coopted), Professor James N. Flavin (Academic Council nominee), Cathal Mac Gabhann (Príomhfheidhmeannach Údarás na Gaeltachta; NUI Senate nominee), Christopher J. Townley (Librarian; elected by graduates).
Front row: An tOllamh Déaglán Ó Caoimh (J.D. O’Keeffe) (Registrar, elected by Academic Council), Patrick Briody (Leitrim Co. Council), Séamus Scott (Roscommon Co. Council), Most Rev. Joseph Cunnane (Archbishop of Tuam; nominee of Minister of Education), Eugene Henry (Sligo Co. Council), An Dr Colm Ó hEocha (Uachtarán), Professor George F. Imbusch (elected by Academic Council), Professor L. Kieran Dunican (elected by Academic Council), Michael D. Higgins (Galway Co. Council), Professor Eamonn O’Dwyer (coopted), An Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh (elected by academic staff), Right Rev. John Coote Duggan (Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, nominee of Minister of Education).