In the 1890s its students achieved more distinctions than their counterparts in Belfast, Cork, and Galway, which had been originally established as secular institutions.

The Royal University was dissolved in 1909, and in 1910 Maynooth became a recognised college of the NUI.

The 1997 reforms restructured the National University of Ireland, and an additional university at Maynooth was created from certain faculties of the previous recognised college, St Patrick's College, Maynooth.

These reforms also removed the prohibition on theology that had been imposed on the National University and its predecessors.

The NUI graduates elected four TDs to Dáil Éireann from 1921 until 1937 when the university constituencies were abolished by Fianna Fáil.

Under the Constitution of Ireland, adopted in 1937, the graduates of the university elect three members of Seanad Éireann (the senate).

All graduates who are Irish citizens (regardless of living in the state or not) are entitled to vote if on the university's register of electors.

[6] The NUI's Convocation comprises the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Members of Senate, the Professors and Lecturers, and the Graduates of the University.