Nevertheless, at the prompting of Protestant interests, the Queen's Colleges were not permitted to give instruction in theology.

This non-acceptance was articulated in the creation of a rival to the Queen's Colleges — the Catholic University of Ireland in Dublin.

[citation needed] In 1845 the Mayor of Limerick applied to have a Queen's College[1] located in the city; however Cork, Galway and Belfast were chosen.

A number of significant figures in Irish public life participated in the governing senate of the university such as Sir Dominic Corrigan (Vice-Chancellor).

Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle of Brandon served on the senate of the university.