KIERAN TAAFFE, BORN 1942, FORMER HEAD OF PHYSICS DEPARTMENT AND FORMER VICE PRINCIPAL, KEVIN STREET

Kieran Taaffe is a native of County Louth. He discusses his education with the Christian Brothers in Dundalk, and later at UCG from where he graduated with a degree in physics. He remained at the college where he worked as a junior lecturer while studying for his Master’s degree. He then emigrated to Sweden to work with Volvo and returned to Kevin Street as Assistant Head of Physics in 1968. He was later appointed as Head of Physics and remained in this post until 1982. He was also Chairman of the Academic Council for 1979-1981. In the recording Kieran Taaffe discusses the day and night classes in the Physics Department, dealing with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland in attempting to get employment for students. His involvement with Trinity began in 1970, when the National Council for Academic Awards was established. He recalls the challenging times experienced over the decades, as funding was extremely limited, and the less than happy period in DIT from 1994 – 2000. He discusses his period as Vice Principal and Dean of Studies and International Affairs, and his enjoyment of the cut and thrust of academic debate.