Technological Higher Education in the West of Ireland since 1972: Perspectives on the History & Memory of RTC Galway, GMIT, & ATU Galway-Mayo

In 1972, a new era of technological higher education began in the west of Ireland with the opening of Regional Technical College, Galway (RTC Galway). From the mid-1980s onwards, the college expanded its presence in the region, by offering courses in Mountbellew and Letterfrack. Further expansion occurred in the mid-1990s, with the opening of campuses at Castlebar and Cluain Mhuire. In 1998, RTC Galway’s name was changed to Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT). In 2022, a new horizon opened up for the west and north-west of Ireland when GMIT amalgamated with institutes of technology in Letterkenny and Sligo to become Atlantic Technological University (ATU). As it set about building a new future (using the brand idea, ‘The future is here’), the newest university in Ireland’s Northern and Western Region also looked back and remembered the past. To mark the Golden Jubilee anniversary of RTC Galway’s foundation, ATU Galway-Mayo ran a programme of events throughout 2022–2023 to remember and reflect upon 50 Years of technological higher education in the west of Ireland. This book is the flagship legacy initiative arising from these commemorations. It examines aspects of the history and memory of RTC Galway, GMIT, and ATU Galway-Mayo, with particular reference to the early years. The content will be of special interest not only to staff, students, and alumni of these colleges, but to readers interested in the evolution of higher education in Ireland since the early 1970s.