Dr Iognáid G Ó Muircheartaigh, President, NUI Galway.

Where did you go to school?

Coláiste Mhuire, Parnell Square, Dublin, an excellent all-Irish Christian Brothers School.

What was your best subject?

Mathematics and Latin were my best two subjects in the Leaving Cert.

What was your worst subject?

My worst subject was art, which I did for the Leaving, but at which I was inept.

If you could put a new subject on the Leaving Cert, what would it be?

Public speaking would be an excellent subject, and would benefit people in whatever walk of life they chose to pursue.

What was your earliest career ambition?

To be an airline pilot - still is!

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

I didn't really have a favourite teacher, although we had many excellent teachers.

Who was your childhood idol?

I greatly admired Paudie Fitzgerald, the Kerry cyclist who won Rás Tailteann in 1956, and made an abortive attempt to represent Ireland at the Olympics in Melbourne, but was prohibited from doing so on political grounds.

Who was your best friend?

I had no particular best friend, but cycled to school most days with Seán Ó Cléirigh.

What is he doing now?

He became chief executive of Bord na Gaeilge, and later chief executive of the Royal Dublin Society. Some of my classmates still meet regularly, and I very occasionally manage to meet up with them.

What TV programme/film most reminds you of your school days?

Sgt Bilkoand The Fugitive.

What song most reminds you of your school days?

Elvis Presley: It's Now or Never.

What food most reminds you of your school days?

My packed lunch most days consisted of honey sandwiches, which, despite that fact, I still love.

What was your school uniform like?

We had a blue school tie with green and white stripes, a grey school sweater and a school cap, which I wore until I was about 15. I also wore short trousers till I was 13 or 14, even though I was six feet tall.

What's the boldest thing you ever did in school?

I was unbearably well-behaved.

Who did you bring to your debs?

Not only had we no debs, I never even went to a dance while I was at school. I more than made up for this as soon as I went to college.

What was your most memorable holiday?

I'm not a great holiday person, but I once spent a week in southern California and Nevada with my wife and three daughters. We did Disneyland, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and every theme park. I also very much enjoy our family get- together every August in Dún Chaoin, during which the annual Ó Muircheartaigh golf classic takes place at Ceann Sibéal.

Did you go to college and if so, what did you study?

I went to college at UCD, and studied mathematics, and did a PhD in statistics at Glasgow University. The best thing about UCD was being a member of the athletics club, which fostered a lifelong interest in athletics, which continues to this day.

Would you send your own children to the same school that you went to?

Given that I have three daughters, it is unlikely that I would send them to a boys-only all-Irish Christian Brothers school.

What was the best thing about your education?

It nurtured my interest in mathematics, sport, and the Irish language.

What was the worst thing about your education?

The fact that it was boys-only. That, combined with the fact that I was one of a family of five boys, left me singularly ill-equipped to deal with my wife and three daughters!