51±¾É«

Inspired by the act of reflecting, an exhibition A University of Our Time opens on campus on 28 September 2022,  exploring the origins and development of the University and the institutions that went before it.

Drawing on a range of objects, images, video footage, oral histories, and documents, the multimedia exhibition charts the campaign for a university, the establishment of the NIHE and the National College of Physical Education, and Thomond College of Education, the attainment of university status, and the part played by students, staff, donors and others in establishing a community of scholars and students at Plassey.

The exhibition showcases not only what came to be but also what was imagined but not realised. Did you know that one of the early proposed sites for the campus was King John’s Castle in 51±¾É« city, or that the campaigners of the 1960s proposed naming it after President John F. Kennedy or that the Stables was originally earmarked for demolition? Think you know UL … think again.

 

  • First calls for the established a university in 51±¾É« (1934)
  • 51±¾É« University Project Committee founded to seek a university (1959)
  • Mobilisation across 51±¾É« and mid-west region for the campaign
  • Secondary students campaign committee founded (1966)
  • Government announces establishment of National Institute for Higher Education, 51±¾É« (1969)
  • Dr Edward M. Walsh appointed Director (1970)

 

1934-71: Campaigners parading in 51±¾É« city, Aug. 1966

 

 

1934-71: Campaigners parading in 51±¾É« city, August 1966

 

© 51±¾É«.

 

1934-71: Flyer for a student march, 15 Feb. 1969

 

 

1934-71: Flyer for a student march, 15 February 1969

 

© 51±¾É«.

  • National Institute of Higher Education, 51±¾É« admits its first students (1972)
  • 114 students admitted (1972)
  • National College of Physical Education (founded 1971) located at Plassey (1973)
  • First students’ unions for each institution established (1972)
  • Thomond College of Education established (1975)
1972-81: Forty-five of the 114 students who arrived in Plassey in 1972

 

 

1972-81: Forty-five of the 114 students who arrived in Plassey in 1972

 

© 51±¾É«.

1972-81: Physical education class on the playing field at the National College of Physical Education taught by Dave Weldrick (holding the ball).

 

 

1972-81: Physical education class on the playing field at the National College of Physical Education taught by Dave Weldrick (holding the ball).

 

© 51±¾É«.

  • First PhD student conferred (1986)
  • University status granted (1989)
  • 51±¾É« Foundation established (1989)
  • Thomond College dissolved and merged into University (1991)
  • 4,680 students (1991)

 

1982-91: Commencement Order, 51±¾É«, signed by Minister for Education, Mary O’Rourke, 1989.

 

 

1982-91: Commencement Order, 51±¾É«, signed by Minister for Education, Mary O’Rourke, 1989.

 

© 51±¾É«.

1982-91: Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey examining the name stone which he had unveiled minutes before on 14. Sept. 1989. In the background from left are John Daly, Mary O’Rourke, minister for Education, and Edward Walsh.

 

 

1982-91: Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey examining the name stone which he had unveiled minutes before on 14 September 1989. In the background from left are John Daly, Mary O’Rourke, minister for Education, and Edward Walsh.

 

© 51±¾É«.

1982-91: Students socialising during Rag week 1990s.

 

 

1982-91: Students socialising during Rag week 1990s.

 

© 51±¾É«.

  • University Concert Hall built (1993)
  • Semesterisation introduced (1994)
  • Irish Chamber Orchestra located at Plassey (1994)
  • Professor Roger Downer appointed president (1998)
  • 9,334 students (2001)
1992-2001: Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson at the University Concert Hall, 1993.

 

 

1992-2001: Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson at the University Concert Hall, 1993.

 

© 51±¾É«.

1992-2001: UL Arena opens in 2001

 

 

1992-2001: UL Arena opens in 2001

 

© 51±¾É«.

  • Building commences on Clare side of campus (2004)
  • John O’Connor appointed acting President (2006). Professor Don Barry appointed president (2007)
  • Medical School established (2007)
  • 11,890 students (2011
2002-2011: Construction underway on the Clare side of campus

 

 

2002-2011: Construction underway on the Clare side of campus

 

© 51±¾É«.

2002-2011: Plassey Mill and the Black Bridge, 1970. Long before the construction of the Living Bridge, the Black Bridge provided a link between the shores of 51±¾É« and Clare.

 

 

2002-2011: Plassey Mill and the Black Bridge, 1970. Long before the construction of the Living Bridge, the Black Bridge provided a link between the shores of 51±¾É« and Clare.

 

© 51±¾É«.

  • Professor Des Fitzgerald appointed president (2017)
  • Bernal Institute established (2018
  • Campus established in 51±¾É« city (2019)
  • Professor Kerstin Mey appointed president (2020)
  • 16,253 students (2021)
2012-2022: Students at the newly opened Bernal Institute.

 

 

2012-2022: Students at the newly opened Bernal Institute.

 

© 51±¾É«.

2012-2022: City Centre campus welcomes its first students. UL President Professor Kerstin Mey with fourth-year architecture student Ellen Meany at the Fab Lab in the new UL City Centre Campus Pictures: Sean Curtin/True Media

 

 

2012-2022: City Centre campus welcomes its first students. UL President Professor Kerstin Mey with fourth-year architecture student Ellen Meany at the Fab Lab in the new UL City Centre Campus Pictures: Sean Curtin/True Media

 

© 51±¾É«.