Aged 57 and a native of Dublin, Professor Ó Muircheartaigh holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from University College Dublin and his Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow.

Speaking immediately after his appointment, Professor Ó Muircheartaigh said 'I am deeply honoured to be appointed President of NUI, Galway, a university with an outstanding reputation for scholarship and research. I look forward to developing and advancing the University's distinctive role in Irish higher education and in responding with academic integrity and creativity to the new challenges and needs, and also the major potential of NUI, Galway in this first decade of the new millennium'. Professor Ó Muircheartaigh paid tribute to President Patrick Fottrell, saying 'he has left a tremendous legacy of significant developments in both the physical and academic structures of the University'.

Professor Ó Muircheartaigh is an Associate Professor of Statistics in NUI, Galway and, since 1999, the Registrar and Deputy President.

He has an international research reputation, reflected in some 70 research papers and the delivery of numerous invited seminars in North America and Europe. He has also held Visiting Appointments at Stanford, Connecticut, Glasgow and the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California.

He is a member of the Senate of the NUI, a Director of the CAO and Cathaoirleach of the Irish Universities' Quality Steering Committee.

Professor Ó Muircheartaigh is married to Rosaleen and they have three daughters.  He is also a former holder of many Irish sprint championships and a former captain of the Irish International Athletics team.

The potential for sport to provide a mechanism for socialisation and community cohesion was stressed at the ceremony by the President, Dr. Fottrell. "NUI, Galway believes the facilities provided will add to the social, cultural and economic life of the region and enhance its tourism potential. We will play our part as the only University in the Objective 1 area and build on our proud sporting tradition, ranging from track and field to water sports", he said.

An £8 million Strategic Plan for Sport, recently drawn up by the University includes the development of a marina at Dangan and a 25 metre swimming pool at Áras na Mac Léinn.

Pictured: the President, Dr. Patrick Fottrell discusses the plan for the Sports Pavilion with Dr. Jim McDaid, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation.

Pictured at the Irish Sports Council meeting in NUI, Galway are from left, Mr. John Treacy, Chief Executive, Irish Sports Council; Dr. Patrick Fottrell, President of NUI, Galway and Council member; and Pat O'Neill, Chairman, Irish Sports Council.

Pictured: Dr. McDaid, T.D., cuts the tape at the entrance to Tony Corcoran Park.