Some more info on the Matric from RTE Archives here: www.rte.ie/archives/201...
The National University of Ireland is to end the matriculation examinations after eighty-two years.
From 1910 to 1992, NUI ran a matriculation exam. This high stakes assessment was sometimes treated by employers as a qualification in itself. Our archives hold some examples of the failed attempts at bribery that some students would undertake to pass the matric like this 1932 example:
![A letter dated 26 July 1932. The address is redacted. It reads "Sir, I got the result of my matriculation and I have failed. I want a matriculation certificate very much in order that I might get some job. I am not going to a University so I am willing to pay (£10) ten pounds for the two subjects I want (Mathematics and Latin) or if that cannot be obtained I will pay (£20) twenty pounds. My father does not know I am writing this letter so I would like it to remain a secret. If you send on a certificate by return and state your terms I will comply with them. I remain, yours faithfully, [redacted name]. P.S. I have three subjects obtained since last year: English, Irish and Geography." On the top right is written, by NUI, "Ignore".](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:grho2ceitbgmarmce3q47np3/bafkreibx2zh663f3k4fcpamkbjvlcvlixgwwq2xcrervw3x642b75g6xnq@jpeg)
Using these very postmodern undated gems, found in the building after a meeting many years ago, as a reminder to apply to vote in the upcoming Chancellor election! Note, these doodles do not count as official convocation guidelines. Apply here: www.nui.ie/elections/Ch...
![Yellowed paper with doodles, which read:
(Heading in red pen, added after the fact: Found in house after meeting of [illegible])
Join to-day
Ask yourself squarely are you justified in spending your money on cigarettes instead of Joining Convocation and helping to make it strong?
Join, it is your duty!
It only costs one pound.
Your place is waiting for you!
Join Join Join
Join Join
Join
Drawing of three people and small writing reading "convocation hall".](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:grho2ceitbgmarmce3q47np3/bafkreihn22i5tmlf663ix7wnhxiahb6dcjaymqtjs3primh2gjtqin6see@jpeg)
The NUI Grants toward Scholarly Publications are also open, to support the publication of scholarly work. Current and retired staff from NUI institutions and ECAs with NUI doctoral degrees can apply. 🗓️Apply by Sunday, 1 December 2024 More info: www.nui.ie/awards/PublicationPrizesGrants
Information on the Publication Prizes & Grants offered by the National University of Ireland.
Applications for the 2024 Grant Scheme for Early Career Academics are open! You could get up to €5,000 to organise a conference or symposium. #NUIAwardswww.nui.ie/awards/PostDoctoralFellowships/#Early_Career_Academics
Information on the Post-Doctoral and Early Career Awards and Grants offered by the National University of Ireland.
Bhí an-chraic againn ar maidin nuair a rinne muid cróiseáil le linn ár gCiorcal Comhrá. Bhí an t-ádh linn go raibh Aidan agus Elaine, beirt aoi iontacha, linn chun Gaeilge a labhairt.🧶☕️💬 Clárú leis an liosta teagmhálaithe don Ciorcal Comhrá anseo: confirmsubscription.com/h/y/5F776D32...
On 1 July 1991, just over 33 years ago, NUI bestowed an honorary DLitt on Edna O'Brien at a ceremony in University of Galway. Today, we again honour her contribution to literature in Ireland and internationally. Here is her letter to us accepting the invitation to receive the degree.
Emails really lack the personality of a handwritten letter! Below is one of our all-time favourite signatures in the NUI Archives (it's between this and Tolkien): that of GK Chesterton when he writes to NUI upon being offered an honorary degree in 1929. #FamousSignatures
