The AISTIR Project

journeys connect

The Cumann Staire of the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) is actively seeking to build a strong stable intervarsity historic studies network. Over the past number of years, both the Department of History and the Cumann Staire at NUIG have forged strong links with their counterparts in several other universities. The sole criteria has been the presence of a top class academic committment to the study and research of the past. Aistir aims to bring together students from across Europe to learn from each other and to forge lasting friendships on both academic and personal levels.

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Gaillimh - Galway

Cathair na Gaillimhe - the City of Galway - has a recorded history back to the 12th century. The name Gaillimh comes from the short rocky river the banks of which mark a key transport crossroads east-west and north-south since people arrived here back in the mists of time. Today the city is a vibrant, bustling centre of the arts and commerce, though it still retains a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Galway is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The city, with its mediæval streets, waterways, extensive range of shopping facilities, wealth of music sessions and other cultural events, is a place to fall in love with. Galway's numerous annual festivals and celebrations - among them the 'Cúirt' International Festival of Literature, the Galway Arts Festival (Féile Ealaíon na Gaillimhe), the Galway (horse) Races and the Oyster Festivals - are famous throughout Ireland and beyond.

Being a college city, Galway is a lively energetic place throughout the year. The university, situated close to the mediaeval heart of the city, enjoys an intimate relationship with the city and during the academic year, 20% of the population of the city are third-level students. A compact, thriving city, most Irish would agree that it is a party town like no other. It comes as no surprise that many graduates remain here as workers, academics and artists further enriching the image of the 'City of Tribes' as a classic university town.

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Established in 1845 NUI Galway is one of Ireland's foremost centres of academic excellence. With over 15,000 students, it has a long established reputation of teaching and research excellence in each of its five colleges: College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies - College of Engineering & Informatics - College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences - College of Science and College of Business, Public Policy, & Law.
Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh's close proximity to Conamara, the largest Irish-speaking area in the country, provides a unique dimension to the campus. The regular use of the Irish language is an established part of social and academic life, while the city and university reflect the rich cultural ambience of a bilingual environment. NUI Galway is home to the Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, dedicated to pioneering third-level education through the medium of Irish.
Our Roinn na Staire - Department of History forms part of the School of Humanities and is within the College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies. History has been taught on the campus since its foundation and has a bilingual, cultural atmosphere which the department promotes. Alongside a common English-language programme the Department offers a full programme in the Irish language. The academic staff has wide experience of university teaching in other countries, and each year the department attracts large numbers of visiting students from both North America and mainland Europe who choose to study in 'Ireland's cultural capital'. With the growth in emphasis on postgraduate level growth by the university the department is expanding the range of taught and research options available year-on-year.

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An Cumann Staire

The Cumann Staire (Historic Studies Society) is one of the oldest student associations on campus and has also been one of the most innovative in recent years. This has been evident in the growth of our Arts Bál to the largest formal-dress event of the year, our role played in the creation of the Fleadh Imboilg events to mark the start of Spring (now merged with the Múscailt festival) and an ongoing drive to build intervarsity links with fellow historic studies students. As part of this desire the CS is an active member of both the CCS - IHSA (Comhaltas na gCumann Staire - Irish History Students' Association) and the ISHA (International Students of History Association).

00:02 - Máirt 9ú Feabhra 2010