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| Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Luain | |
 Athlone Institute of Technology | |
| Former name | Athlone Regional Technical College |
|---|---|
| Motto | Connect and Discover |
| Type | Institutes of Technology in Ireland |
| Established | 1970 |
| President | Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin |
| Academic staff | 256 |
| Students | 5,400+ |
| Location | Athlone (County Westmeath), Leinster, N37 HD68, Ireland 53°25′05″N 7°54′17″W / 53.41794°N 7.90462°W / 53.41794; -7.90462 |
| Campus | 18 hectares (44 acres) |
| Colours | Blue & White |
| Website | ait.ie |
Athlone Institute of Technology (Template:Lang-ga), also known as AIT, is a third-level education institution in Athlone, Ireland. The IT is scheduled to merge with Limerick IT to form the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, in the 2021/2022 term.
History
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2018) |
The institution was established by the Irish Government in 1970 as Athlone Regional Technical College under control of the local Vocational Education Committee. In 1975 the College acquired an Art Collection. The College gained more autonomy with the enactment of the Regional Technical Colleges Act 1992. In late 1997, as with the other RTC's it was renamed the Athlone, Institute of Technology. In 1999 AIT became a validation authority with the power to award HETAC degrees. In 2000, Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin was appointed President of AIT. Dr David Fenton and James Coyle, were previous holders of the post of head of the College, previously called Director and Principal before that. In 2001 a School of Humanities was opened. In 2010 President of Ireland Mary McAleese spoke at the fortieth anniversary of the College.
College of sanctuary
In 2017 AIT became the first designated college of sanctuary in Ireland.
Facilities
- The Goldsmith Library, named after Oliver Goldsmith, novelist, playwright and poet
- McCormack Hall, performance venue named after John McCormack, tenor
AIT International Arena
An international athletics arena with an overall building floor area of 9,715 m was opened in early 2013. The arena can house 2,000 spectators and was constructed at a cost of €10 million.
Sexual harassment claims
A Freedom of Information request revealed in December 2020 that Athlone IT spent €6,737.33 on legal fees in 2018 and 2019 and paid an undisclosed amount as a settlement after receiving legal advice on sexual harassment claims.
Notable alumni
 | This article's list of alumni may not follow Misplaced Pages's verifiability policy. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources showing they merit inclusion in this article AND are alumni, or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations. (June 2021) |
- Anne Rigney - contemporary visual artist and sculptor
- Jacksepticeye (b. 1990), real name Seán William McLoughlin - an Irish YouTuber
- Yewande Biala - Love Island contestant
Politics
- Justin Barrett (b. 1971) - far-right politician
- Gabrielle McFadden - Fine Gael politician
- Nicky McFadden (1962-2014) - Fine Gael politician
- Robert Troy (b. 1982) Fianna Fáil politician
Sports
- David McGowan (b. 1986) - rugby union player
- Shane Lowry (b. 1987) - golfer
- Declan Qualter - hurler
- Brendan P. Farrell, Jr.
See also
- Education in the Republic of Ireland
- List of higher education institutions in the Republic of Ireland
References
- Kelly Palenque, Brendan (5 May 2021). "Limerick IT and Athlone IT to merge to form new technological university". Independent.ie. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- AIT Life, Vol. 3, Issue 1, January 2011.
- REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY DINNER CELEBRATION OF ATHLONE IT Media Library, www.president.ie
- "Athlone IT is the first College of Sanctuary in Ireland". Places of Sanctuary Ireland. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
Athlone IT, a midland college with global reputation and international students from over 60 countries, including Mid East and East Asia, has become the first College of Sanctuary in Ireland.
- "AIT International Arena – Athlone Institute of Technology". Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- O'Connor, Wayne (27 December 2020). "Colleges spend €230,000 on fees after sexual harassment claims". Sunday Independent.
External links
| Athlone | ||
|---|---|---|
| History |  | |
| Politics | ||
| Culture | ||
| Education | ||
| Sport | ||
| Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology in Ireland | |
|---|---|
| TUs | |
| Independent ITs | |
| See also: List of higher education institutions in the Republic of Ireland | |