Former professor of zoology at University of Galway helped to modernise the study of Irish mammals
Belfast born and a committed Ulster unionist and member of the Presbyterian church, Fairley was a rarity among Irish academics when he took the position of lecturer of zoology at UCG in 1968. He continued as a lecturer until 1991, after which he became associate professor until his retirement in 1999. He was elected to the Royal Irish Academy in 1993 and was later awarded a doctorate in science by the academy.
Another former student, Kate McAney, who did the first study on Lesser Horseshoe Bats in Ireland – now works for the Irish branch of the Vincent Wildlife Trust. She says Prof Fairley chaired the first all-Ireland bat conferences and gave generously of his time to this organisation which is dedicated to the conservation of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat, the Irish stoat and the pine marten. “He was the first person I ever saw on television talking about mammals.
He became somewhat of a minor celebrity through his interviews on radio and television, at one point asking viewers of the Late Late Show to send him fleas from their pets so that he could identify them.
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