Registrar of the NUI | National University of Ireland

O'LEARY, Patrick

Patrick O’Leary BSc PhD, the ninth Registrar of NUI, is a graduate of University College Cork. After completing his PhD, he was the inaugural recipient of the NUI Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Sciences in 2000. He also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Utrecht University before starting in NUI Galway in 2004 as a lecturer in chemistry.

During his time in NUI Galway Patrick served on Academic Council and had extensive safety roles along with his lecturing and research in the areas of Asymmetric Catalysis and Green Chemistry. He also served as Head of School of Chemistry for 3 years.

Patrick began his role as Registrar of NUI in Jan 2022.

HALPIN, Attracta

Attracta Halpin BA MSc MBA LLD (jure officii), the eighth Registrar of NUI, is a graduate of University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, and the University of London.

Registrar of the National University of Ireland since 2004, she joined NUI as Assistant Registrar in 1997. She has spent most of her career in higher education management. Before coming to NUI she was Assistant Registrar for Business Studies and Humanities at the then National Council for Educational Awards. She has also worked as a civil servant and as a Government adviser on cultural policy.

NOLAN, John

John Nolan, MA, MPA, LLD (jure officii), appointed by Senate 1 September 1987; retired 27 February 2004. An educationalist by profession, he is a graduate of University College Dublin, and Columbia University, New York. Before becoming Registrar of NUI, he was Registrar of Carysfort College of Education, Dublin.

During the period of his registrarship, Dr Nolan has represented the NUI on a number of national and international university and educational bodies. Under a contract agreed with the EU Commission in 1999, the European University Association undertook to promote and implement the Diploma Supplement in Europe. Dr Nolan agreed to act as the promoter of the Diploma Supplement in Ireland.

Events of historical educational importance which occurred during John Nolan’s term as Registrar include the suspension of the Matriculation Examination (1992) and the enactment of the Universities Act (1997).

GILHEANY, Michael

Michael Gilheany, BA, BComm, MEconSc, LLD (jure officii),
appointed Registrar of the National University in succession to Dr. J. V. Bourke. Native of Swanlinbar, Co Cavan a member of the University staff since graduation having formerly served as Accountant and Assistant Registrar.

Appointed by Senate June 1979; died 24 January 1987.

BOURKE, John

John Bourke, MComm, PhD, LLD (jure officii), appointed by Senate, January 27th, 1972, appointed to date from May 4th, 1972, retired June 9th, 1979; died 21st March, 1994.

WILMOT, Séamus

Séamus Wilmot, BA, BComm, HDip in Ed, LLD (jure officii), appointed by Senate, December 11th, 1952; retired May 4th, 1972; died January 1st, 1977

McCARTHY, Alexander A.

Alexander A. McCarthy, BA, LLD (jure officii), appointed by Senate, October 28th, 1937; died August 3rd, 1952.

WIBER, Frederick H.

Frederick H. Wiber, LLD (jure officii), appointed by Senate, February 1st, 1924; died July 11th, 1936.

McGRATH, Joseph

Joseph McGrath, (subsequently Sir Joseph McGrath), BA (London), LLD (RUI) (jure officii). First Registrar National University of Ireland, appointed December 2nd, 1908; died March 15th, 1923.