Academic excellence among the entering class of 2005/6 at NUI Galway has been recognised with a special ceremony to honour the 59 recipients of Entrance Scholarships at the University. The students, from throughout the country, were honoured by the President, Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, on Saturday, 11 February 2006, at the Aula Maxima, where they were presented with a cheque for €1,450 and a specially designed to mark their achievement.

The wide geographical spread of the winners is notable. The winners are drawn from 11 counties from Donegal to Limerick and Mayo to Carlow, including 34 scholars from County Galway. The scholarships have been awarded to students from 39 individual schools highlighting the fact that top academic talent is to be found in a wide range of schools, large and small, throughout the country.

The scholarships are guaranteed to all new entrants who reach 560 points (or 590 in Medicine and Health Sciences). Fourteen students of programmes in Arts, Comerce, Law, Engineering and Medicine & Health Sciences, achieved the maximum 600 points, while 32 students attained 590 points or more.

The President of NUI Galway, Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, welcomed these high achievers, saying "We in NUI Galway are delighted to recognise the academic talent of these 59 outstanding students from all over Ireland. I am delighted to welcome them to our campus and commend them for choosing to undertake their studies at this University. We look forward to nurturing their academic talent and supporting them throughout their years of study".