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These include facial recognition software now used in airport security, wireless technology to be used in the next generation of mobile phones, and drug delivery systems for cancer treatments.

Most of Maynooth’s top researchers also teach, in a move aimed at helping excite undergraduates about research. Research expansion has increased the range of third-level courses offered and the development of aligned programmes. This includes six new degrees this month in areas such as science education, law and business.

Such new courses helped increase applications by 17% last year and 23% this year, the highest of any university. Entry points for the most popular arts and science degrees this year overtook those in Maynooth’s larger sister National University of Ireland colleges, University College Dublin, University College Cork, and NUI, Galway.

Its smaller size, with 4,333 full-time undergraduates, 596 part-time undergraduates and 1,239 postgraduates, helps too.

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Natasha Carroll , the students’ union vice-president, says: “Our small campus helps integrate first-years and create a friendly and accepting atmosphere.”

Support services have not always kept up, however, with Maynooth’s expansion. According to Hughes, this is being addressed. A ¤220m programme of new accommodation, a campus retail centre, theatre, teaching and research facilities will improve the student experience even more.

Such secular luxuries are a far cry from the embryonic days when Maynooth was founded as Ireland’s main Catholic seminary in 1795. In 1896 it was recognised by Rome as a pontifical university and allowed to award canonical degrees. It was not until 1966 that it opened its doors to those not studying for a vocation. Today, only about 70 student priests attend the adjoining seminary.

Hughes, 54, says: “It’s a very harmonious relationship with the pontifical university. But the new university is totally secular.” So much so that its gay, lesbian and bisexual society, for example, won a national award last year for being one of the republic’s best student societies.

The university’s alumni range from Nobel laureate John Hume to Kerry Gaelic footballer Marc O’Se. The ¤6,000-a-year sports scholarship available through a scheme partly funded by JP McManus, the Limerick multi-millionaire, is attracting up-and-coming sports stars. Maynooth’s generous golf scholarships include 10 days each winter at a Portuguese golf resort and training at Carton House, a championship course beside the university.

But a more important ingredient of Maynooth’s success, which helps it earn this year’s title, is the effort it puts into widening participation and assisting first-years. It has an impeccable record, the best in Ireland’s university sector, in encouraging access from groups normally excluded from third-level. The number entering without Leaving Certificate points has grown significantly to 22%, and Maynooth has one of the highest numbers of mature students, almost one in three, of any third-level college.

It also has a great record for assisting those with disabilities. The university has pioneered systems for identifying and helping those with issues such as dyslexia. These students are provided with a free mentor and a one-stop-shop programme enhances support at both academic and pastoral level too.

A new centre to help students with maths difficulties, for example, had 3,000 visits last year. Although this has helped retention, one in five students still drop out and, with just 54% of them obtaining a first or 2.1 last year, Maynooth was ranked joint lowest among universities with Limerick in terms of those obtaining a top degree.

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