The AISTIR Project

journeys connect

The Cumann Staire (Historic Studies Student Society) 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 institutions. 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 both these institutions of learning and those with similar aims to learn from each other and forge new friendships on both academic and personal levels. We hope that this acorn of endeavour and friendship will grow to be a strong oak in an academic forest increasingly populated with bland plantation conifers.
This year the Aistir conference took place in conjunction with the 58th Irish History Students' Association Conference at NUIG.

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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 medieval streets, waterways, extensive range of shopping facilities, wealth of music sessions and other cultural events, is a place to be treasured. 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 Festival - are famous throughout Ireland and beyond. Thankfully the city boasts an astounding range of accommodation options in addition to a wealth of complementary tourist facilities.

Being a university 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, 15% of the population of the city are 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 as Queen's College Galway, 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 four colleges: College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies - College of Engineering & Informatics - College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences - College of Science and two independent faculties: Commerce and Law.
Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh's close proximity to the Conamara Gaeltacht, 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 recently launched Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, a national €35 million institution 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, multi-cultural atmosphere which the Department promotes. Alongside a traditional English-language programme, as offered by other Irish universities, the Department offers a full programme in the Irish language. The Department's 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 Galway as their place of study for one or two semesters 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 societies (student social clubs) on campus and has also been one of the most innovative socs in recent years. This has been evident in the growth of society's Arts Ball to the undisputed formal-dress ball of the year, our role played in the creation of the Fleadh Imboilg events to make the start of Spring (now merged with the Múscailt festival) and an ongoing drive to build intervarsity links with fellow historic studies students. As a result of the hard work of the society it was rewarded with victory at the annual Society Awards on 9 April 2008. The Cumann Staire's first year coiste member, Nóra Ní Dhomhnaill, won the Best Fresher award while the Best Website award was won for the hard work evident in the pages of www.CumannStaire.com and www.aistir.com
www.CumannStaire.com <---> www.SuperStair.com

20:57 - Satharn 11ú Deireadh Fómhair 2008