- In the 1960s, a committee was formed to examine the need for a second university in Northern Ireland after Queen's University in Belfast reached capacity. Two sites, Coleraine and Magee College in Derry, lobbied to host the new university. - The Lockwood Committee recommended Coleraine as the site in 1965, proposing to close Magee College. This sparked bitter protests in Derry and accusations of bias towards Unionist interests. - Despite heated debates, the Unionist government approved Coleraine. Magee College was absorbed into the new University of Ulster instead of becoming part of the University of Coleraine as originally proposed. Tensions remained high over perceived

1. Coleraine Controversy Leaving Cert History Case Study Northern Ireland 1949-1989

2. 1961 Robbins Committee set up to report on future of higher education in Britain Does not include NI in its considerations

3. Jan 1962 Stormont Financial administrators meet University Grants Committee to discuss issue of a second university for NI Coleraine and Armagh begin lobbying to host the university

4. Stormont government decides to establish a committee to investigate needs of higher education in NI May 1963

5. Sir John Lockwood recommended for chair by Ministry of Education in London Also approved by W. T. Ewing, Minister for Education in NI who will be secretary to committee It will consist of eight people with expertise in different aspects of education, four based in England and none Catholic Autumn 1963

6. Dec 1963 Lockwood Committee meets for first time. Decides to meet fifteen times at three/four week intervals Agrees terms of reference should cover academic, social and other factors relating to a suitable location The choice of a specific site should be left to the government

7. Lockwood Committee visits Queen's in Belfast and confirms need for second university Queen's is hemmed in by adjacent land and has no power of compulsory purchase There are also issues with transport, parking etc. Jan 1964

8. Feb 1964 Reps of University Grants Committee attend fourth meeting of Lockwood Committee It advises main criteria be - (1) existence of higher technical institutions that are potential universities (2) regional planning needs (3) availability of sites of over 200 acres with room for further expansion (4) the proximity of a town with reasonable facilities

9. Feb 1964 Lockwood Committee visits Magee and members are unimpressed They report “lack of dynamism” among college community who have no “clear idea about how the college should develop”

10. 1964 May 1964 : At 10 th meeting of Lockwood Committee senior official from Department of Commerce and Labour and National Insurance tell members that industrialists think Derry “too remote” June 1964 : Lockwood Committe draws up its shortlist – Magee is not included Dec 1964 : Stormont cabinet recognises backlash of “killing Magee” and O'Neill says he is aware of the support a pro-Magee lobby could generate

11. Jan & Feb 1965 14 th Jan 1965 : O'Neill controversially receives Lemass in Belfast. 30 th Jan 1965 : Basil McFarland, former mayor of Derry, says he doubts Lockwood report will “do Derry much good” leading to foundation of University for Derry Committee (also known as Action Committee) 8 th Feb 1965 : Large protest meeting in Derry 9 th Feb 1965 : O'Neill is first NI PM to visit Dublin 10 th Feb 1965 : Lockwood Report published recommending Coleraine as site for new university and Magee College to be closed down 18 th Feb 1965 : Two-minute silence in Derry with many shops and businesses closed in protest. Opposition is cross-community. 2,000 vehicle motorcade to Stormont led jointly by Derry's Unionist Mayor and a Nationalist MP

12. March 1965 Lockwood shocked at bitter reaction to his decision and at length and scale of parliamentary debate Despite heated discussion and defection of two Unionists MPs, O'Neill's government wins the vote 27:19 Magee trustees agree to compromise whereby the college will become a constituent college of Coleraine University, with full degree courses Agreement not honoured. Unionist MP Robert Nixon makes his “faceless men” allegation, backed up by Nationalist MP Patrick Gormley Accusation that hardline Unionists had approached O'Neill and advised him against any future development for Derry (educational, economic or otherwise) so that an increase in Catholic voters would not materialise and Unionist control of Derry would not end Nixon expelled from UPP and a petition of 15,000 names fails to move the government to investigate the matter

13. 1969 Magee College absorbed into new University of Ulster

14. Presentation prepared by: Dominic Haugh St. Particks Comprehensive School Shannon Co. Clare Contents taken from leavingcerthistoryblogspot Presentation can be used for educational purposes only – all rights remain with author