Harry McGee, political correspondent with the Irish Times has been named as the most recent appointment to NUI Galway’s governing authority, Údarás na hOllscoile. Harry McGee is a native of Galway and an alumnus of NUI Galway, holding a BA (1987 ), H Dip in Journalism (1989 ) and an LLB (1993 ). He studied at King’s Inns and is a barrister. He worked in Galway with The Connacht Tribune before moving to Dublin where he worked with RTÉ, as Special Correspondent with the Sunday Tribune and as Editor of Magill.
He became Political Editor with the Irish Examiner before moving to the Irish Times, also as Political Correspondent. He is a frequent contributor to both radio and television broadcasts in English and Irish, and is a fluent Irish speaker.
Speaking about his appointment, Harry said: “NUI Galway is my alma mater. I completed all of my third level study there, played Fitzgibbon hurling for the University and was very involved with the student societies.
I had some very memorable years at NUI Galway as a student and am very proud to have graduated from this University. I feel a strong sense of belonging to the University and was delighted to be asked to serve as a member of Údarás na hOllscoile.”
Údarás na hOllscoile is the University’s governing authority and acts as both an oversight and advisory body for NUI Galway. The chair of Údarás na hOllscoile is the Hon Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, and Údarás na hOllscoile is made up of academic and academic support staff from the university and of external members nominated by both national and regional representative bodies.
Welcoming Harry to his first meeting of the governing authority, the Hon Mrs. Justice McGuinness commented: “I am delighted to have Harry as a member of Údarás na hOllscoile. It is admirable to see the great loyalty he has to NUI Galway.
“I hope that he will enjoy being involved and look forward to his contribution. His widespread experience as a journalist will bring great insights to this University.”
Rúnaí na hOllscoile Gearóid Ó Conluain welcomed the appointment and said “Both as an alumnus and a working journalist, Harry McGee has a keen sense of the importance of NUI Galway’s role in both a regional and national context. External representatives on Údarás na hOllscoile play a vital role in helping to inform the university’s decision making processes in relation to key strategic and governance priorities.”
