A College of the National University of Ireland, Galway
Lough Gill, Sligo, Ireland.
College Coat of Arms
In 1535 Angela Merici chose as patroness of her Company, founded in Nothern Italy, the early Christian martyr, St. Ursula. Today the inheritors of this tradition are called Ursulines and are the Trustees of the college.
The college coat of arms dates back to the 17th century when the Ursulines of Paris were granted the original by Henry IV, King of Bourbon.
The arms show the symbol of the fleur de lis, signifying the patronage of the kings and queens of France.
Subsequently two shamrocks were added with the arrival of the Ursulines in Ireland in the 18th century. The arrow, cross and laurel tree are symbolic of the martyrdrom of St. Ursula. The crown and the stars recall the biblical words (Dan. xii 3) "Those who instruct others unto justice shall shine like stars for all eternity", which are inscribed in Latin around the shield.
This theme is continued in the stars incoporated into the modern College logo.