1960-1979

President: Donal McNally

President: Mícheál Ó Seighin

Presidents unknown.

• Led by Michael D. Higgins 600 students marched to protest about “poor relations generally between the University and the local community” as many hotels refused to take visiting students, landladies discriminated against students in summer etc. The protest started at the Archway at University College, Galway and concluded at Seapoint Ballroom in Salthill.
• The Union also supported the Cement Strike at the time.

President: Michael D. Higgins

President: M.A. Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh

President: Pádraic de Búrca

President: Ralph Ó Gormáin

President: Liam Morris

• College Week (RAG Week) run for the first time after being banned by the Bishop in 1950s.

President: Conor O’Neill

• In December a protest by 1,000 students is held over not being allowed to use Aula Maxima during College Week for intervarsity ballad competition and other events.
• Also in 1970 300 students attended the courthouse for the trial of Michael Hehir and some are allegedly beaten up by Gardaí which leads to a subsequent protest by the students against Garda brutality and thuggery.
• Students also hold protests about grants this year.
• The Union becomes involved in the Resources Protection Campaign which is against Government ownership of Irish minerals, mining, off-shore oil and gas

President: Pat Rabbitte

• In December three students are suspended following the occupation by 500 students of the Common Room. This occupation was to protest about a small reading room being taken away from students against the wishes of the student body and without authorisation of Governing Body.
• Students marched to Dublin to collect money for the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, to reassert the demand that there be no collaboration between Free State and Stormont Government and to protest against internment. The march had overnight stops in Loughrea, Athlone, Kinnegad and Maynooth with a mass meeting in Dublin.

President: Tony Deffely (1971/72)

• In October a national day of protest is held boycotting classes over fees and grants.
• In December a mass meeting is held as part of National Protest Day with the following demands: Repeal of Bill to amend the Offences against the State Act, Forcible Entry Act and Defence of Property Act; Release of all political prisoners; Repeal of Section 31 of Broadcasting Act; End of Government Censorship.

President: Seán Mac Aoghain (1972/73)

USI forms a working group on Infringement of Civil Liberties in Ireland and subsequently the Union becomes affiliated to Irish Council for Civil Liberties from 1977 – 1982.

President: Brendan Glynn

• The Union supports the strike by the teaching section of the Workers Union of Ireland in UCG who were seeking parity of earnings with their colleagues in UCD.
• The Union attempts to set up an Inter-Union Council in UCG in which each staff Trade Union and section of the College could discuss and act on matters of common interest.

President: Eamon Gilmore

The Union ran and subsidised the Creche/Nursery service for staff and students on Munster Avenue. However, this service had to close in June 1978 due to debts. In 1979 the Union began campaigning for a new crèche/nursery to be funded by College.

• Union opposed the Minister for Educations proposals to restructure higher education.
• The Union supported the Irish Union of School Students.
• A major letter writing campaign to politicians regarding late payment of grants was held.
• The Union encouraged students to only pay the first half of their registration fees in Autumn as a protest against fee increases of 140% over 5 years.

President: John Curran (1975/76)

President: Mary Carroll

• Following the USI Grant campaign the Grant was increased by IR?150.
• The Union produces a major report on the fishing industry in Ireland arguing in favour of a minimum 50 mile exclusive limit for Irish fisherman to safeguard their interests.

President: Mike Jennings (1977/78)

• Campaign by the Union against 7% fee increase by UCG receives huge public support (originally proposed a 15% increase but backed down).
• The SU Constitution is reviewed.
• The Union supports the Anti-Nuclear Campaign.
• A meeting is held entitled “The Future of Irish Education” which highlights the need for a White Paper on Education. This is followed by further marches against increasing fees and cutbacks in education.

President: Grainne McMorrow (1978/79)

• The Union organise a College boycott to highlight the issues of increasing fees and inadequate funding of education.
• Planning Permission is granted for the provision of a bar in the Student Common Room in the Quad which will become the Students’ Union Club (College Bar).

President: Cathal Guiomard (1979/80)