In 1997 the Faculties of Arts, Science, Celtic Studies and Philosophy were united in a newly established constituent university of the National University of Ireland. Maynooth University is today a rapidly developing non-denominational university centre of some 8,800 students. Its traditional core strengths have been augmented by new developments in Finance, Computer Science, Software Engineering and Electronic Engineering. It sees itself as an institution which links a rich history with a distinct mission in a rapidly developing modern Ireland.