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Origins

              Efforts to have a university established in Limerick extend back to the mid-nineteenth century, when a delegation visited London, to appeal for the siting of one of the new Queen's colleges in the city. In 1945, a group under the Chairmanship of the Most Rev Dr Patrick O'Neill, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick, was established with the same objective, again without success.

              In September 1959, eight people met in a classroom of the Christian Brothers School in Sexton Street and formed the Limerick University Project Committee. Under the Chairmanship of the late John Moloney, and Mrs Margaret Lyddy as Secretary, a campaign was mounted. The project was well supported. When Limerick's case for university education was submitted to the Commission on Higher Education it included a list of subscriptions totalling £1,338.

              On 5 March 1960 a delegation from the Project Committee met the Minister for Education, Dr Patrick Hillery, at Leinster House. They were informed that Limerick's case would be considered by the recently established Commission on Higher Education under the chairmanship of Chief Justice Cearbhal O'Dalaigh. A submission was prepared by the Project Committee and presented in January 1961. On 27 and 28 October that year, a seven member delegation gave evidence before the commission in the Four Courts, Dublin. The report which followed in 1967 did not recommend the founding of a university and was a great disappointment to the people of the region, as demonstrated by the large attendance at a protest meeting convened by the Project Committee, held in Crescent College Hall on 2 October 1967.

              Their hopes were partly met 1969 when the Minister for Education, Brian Lenihan, announced the decision of Government to establish an institute of higher education in Limerick. Dr. Edward Walsh was appointed Director of the institute and took up the post on 1 January 1970. In April 1970, the Government established a Planning Board, with Dr Walsh as Chairman, to develop what was a new type of third level institution, the National Institute for Higher Education. Planning for the development of the new institution took place initially in 71 O'Connell Street in offices vacated by the Limerick County Council.

              The first students were admitted in 1972 when the National Institute for Higher Education was formally opened by the then Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, TD.

              Images

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              Delegation from University of Limerick Project Committee to Commission on Higher Education, 1968


              Left to Right : Tony Bromell, Dermot Hurley, Tom Duffy, John Moloney, Margaret Lyddy, James Lyons, Paddy McCarthy, Sean Prendergast
              University of Limerick Archives
              (Larger version file size = 22KB)

              Dr. Edward M. Walsh addressing members of the Institute and guests at the opening ceremony, 27 September 27 1972


              Sean Cooke
              (Larger version file size = 25KB)

              Academic procession to National Institute for Higher Education opening ceremony, 27 September 27 1972


              Sean Cooke
              (Larger version file size = 25KB)

              Dr E.M. Walsh receiving the keys of Plassey House from their previous holder, the Chairman, Limerick Rehabilitation Institute Mr Charles Coughlan, 1970


              University of Limerick Archives
              (Larger version file size = 20KB)

              An Taoiseach Jack Lynch unveiling the commerorative plaque at the NIHE opening ceremony, 27 September 1972


              Sean Cooke
              (Larger version file size = 22KB)

              An Taoiseach Jac Lynch welcomed to the NIHE by Dr Edward M Walsh and Mrs Stephanie Walsh prior to the opening ceremony 27 September, 1972


              University of Limerick Archives
              (Larger version file size = 15KB)

              The first student of the NIHE Miss Dorinda Burke, being enrolled by faculty member, Mr Peter Wolk, September 1972


              University of Limerick Archives
              (Larger version file size = 15KB)

              A group of the first students, September 1972


              University of Limerick Archives
              (Larger version file size = 23KB)

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              Last updated : 19 September 1997
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