University of Limerick

University of Limerick
Name	University of Limerick
Established	1972 (as National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick)
Type	Public
President	Kerry executive
Chancellor	Mary Harney
Students	16,000
City	Limerick
Country	Ireland
Campus	Suburban, 137 hectares
Colours	Blue and white
Affiliations	European University Association, National University of Ireland

University of Limerick is a public research institution located in the city of Limerick, Ireland. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, gaining university status in 1989 following legislation by the Oireachtas. The university is noted for its pioneering cooperative education program and its expansive, modern campus on the banks of the River Shannon.

History

The institution's origins trace to a 1959 report by the Commission on Higher Education which recommended new technological colleges. Spearheaded by local campaigners and political figures like Donogh O'Malley, it was formally established by the Minister for Education in 1972. Under its first director, Edward M. Walsh, it developed a distinct model focused on science, engineering, and business. Key milestones include the 1978 launch of its cooperative education scheme, the 1991 opening of the University of Limerick Concert Hall, and its pivotal role in the 2012 formation of the Irish Universities Association. The campus has been a filming location for productions like *The Tudors*.

Campus

The main 137-hectare campus is situated in Castletroy, a suburb north of Limerick city, straddling the River Shannon and connected by the iconic Living Bridge. Notable facilities include the Bernal Institute for advanced materials research, the Lero - The Irish Software Research Centre, and the University of Limerick Arena, a major national sports centre. The grounds feature the 19th-century Plassey House, the former home of the Maigue Poets, and the adjacent National Technological Park. The campus architecture has received awards from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.

Organisation and administration

The university is governed by a University Council and led by a president, with the ceremonial head being the chancellor, a position held by former Tánaiste Mary Harney. It is structured into four faculties: the Kemmy Business School, the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The university is a member of the European University Association and its degrees are conferred within the framework of the National University of Ireland. Key administrative offices manage the extensive cooperative education placements with partners like Johnson & Johnson and Intel.

Academics and research

The university offers over 70 undergraduate programs and 100 postgraduate taught programs, with particular strength in fields like software engineering, biomaterials, and dance. It is home to significant research institutes such as the Bernal Institute, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, and Lero. It pioneered the cooperative education program in Ireland, placing students with multinational corporations including Dell and Analog Devices. Research is funded by bodies like Science Foundation Ireland and the European Research Council, with notable projects in areas like photonics and adaptive governance.

Student life

Student life is centered around the University of Limerick Students' Union and over 80 active clubs and societies, ranging from the University of Limerick Rugby Football Club to the University of Limerick Drama Society. The campus hosts major annual events like the University of Limerick International Rugby Sevens tournament. Facilities include the state-of-the-art University of Limerick Arena, the University of Limerick Concert Hall, and the Stables Club. Students reside in on-campus villages like Plassey Village and Kilmurry Village, and the campus is served by bus routes operated by Bus Éireann.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include former Taoiseach Micheál Martin, broadcaster Gráinne Seoige, rugby internationals like Keith Earls and Paul O'Connell, and Olympic medalist Róisín Upton. Notable faculty have included poet and professor Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, novelist Donal Ryan, and former president of the Royal Irish Academy, Mary Canning. The university's chancellors have included former European Commissioner Peter Sutherland and business leader John Hurley.

Category:Universities in the Republic of Ireland Category:Educational institutions established in 1972 Category:Limerick