NUI Galway has announced it is ditching its current name and rebranding as Ollscoil na Gaillimhe - University of Galway. 

The name change will come into effect this summer and was signed off by Údarás na hOllscoile - the University Authority. 

"This university has been in Galway and of Galway since the mid-nineteenth century. Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, University of Galway, gives a clearer sense of who we are as an institution and of being of our place," the President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said. 

"Like all good explorers, all good adventurers, all good researchers, we know we serve our students and our society best by always wondering what's beyond the horizon."

Significant numbers of native Irish speakers from the nearby Connemara Gaeltacht have studied at NUI Galway over the years and the university has always placed a premium on bilingualism. 

In addition, many years students study Irish at Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge - a branch of the university located in the Gaeltacht village of An Cheathrú Rua.

Main image: National University Of Ireland (Nui Galway), Galway. Picture by: The Irish Image Collection/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire.