Mayo-native Bernard O’Hara, who is registrar of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology is to retire from September 1.
One of the original staff of the college when it opened in September 1972, Mr O’Hara began his academic career as a lecturer in business studies. He was promoted to head of department, followed by head of school of business and humanities for 19 years, and served as registrar of the college for the last 11.
Members of the GMIT governing body paid glowing tributes to him at a recent meeting, remembering his major contributions and constant student focus.
Mr O’Hara is a graduate of University College Galway, where he completed a BComm, LLB, and MBA. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, the Irish Taxation Institute, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
He has a long record of civic engagement with various business, cultural, and sporting organisations in the west of Ireland, including membership of the Galway Quincentennial Committee in 1984, when Galway celebrated the granting of the Royal Charter to the city in 1484, a director of Galway Chamber of Commerce and Industry for over 10 years, serving as its president during the bicentennial year of 1991/92, president of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, current vice-president of the society and treasurer for 10 years, as well as involvement with the GAA.
Mr O’Hara is the author of a number of books, the latest Davitt, a concise biography of the founder of the Land League, published by Mayo County Council in 2006 and in the USA in 2009 by Tudor Gate Press. He is also author of the early history of GMIT, which was published in 1993 under the title Regional Technical College Galway: The First 21 Years.
