By Debbie McGoldrick

His career as an Irish college student is about to draw to a close, and Emmy Award winning actor Martin Sheen says he’s had a blast.

Sheen, who’s been studying philosophy and earth science at the National University of Ireland in Galway since September, will soon return to his Hollywood base with a treasure trove of great memories about his sojourn into academia.

“I have always had this romantic image of studying in Ireland. I never went to college and I couldn’t erase it from my imagination and when The West Wing was drawing to a close and I knew I would have that window, I said it is now or never,” Sheen said last week in Galway, where he screened his son Emilio Estevez’s film Bobby, which opens in Ireland in January.

“This country has maintained its humanity and it is reflected in the feeling of community everywhere. People don’t say hello to you here, they bless you. It is wonderful. I have had the most extraordinary adventure the last four months,” he added.

Obviously studying in Ireland was a dream come true for Sheen, whose mother was from Co. Tipperary. He’s been a regular visitor to the country for years, and even received an honorary degree from NUI Galway a few months back.

Mixing with his fellow students is something Sheen will also fondly remember, though he admits to not spending too much time at the college bars, save for one movie quiz night where he admitted to answering only two questions correctly out of 26!

“I had no interest in partying — they are kids, I am 66,” he said.

His fellow students were quite pleased to have such an unaffected celebrity in their midst.

“He has his glasses on, he’s carrying his books. It’s cool,” 20-year-old psychology student Eimear Lee told the Associated Press.

“He’s fitted in very nicely,” University president Iognaid O Muircheartaigh said. “He’s been very visible around the campus, and yet people have let him be.”

Sheen had some cautionary words for those in Ireland who have acquired too much too soon thanks to the booming economy, but don’t quite know how to handle it.

“I see some of these changes which are I think reflective of drugs and alcohol, and now you have guys carrying guns and shooting each other. This is very, very sad, but you know compared to what is out there you are still in the infant stage of this, I hope that you can get it in hand,” he feels.

Sheen will return home to make documentaries on the environment, and use his new-found computer knowledge that he picked up in Galway. Undoubtedly, he’ll also resume the political activism that he’s also known for.

Speaking about our current administration, Sheen was characteristically harsh. “(Bush) is a very powerful, very arrogant man. And I have always believed that arrogance is ignorance matured and I can’t think of a better example than George Bush but we shall see.”

Perhaps Sheen will return to Ireland ton drum up publicity for Bobby when it opens next month. He certainly seems inclined to do so.

“I have never felt more at home. Ireland to me is the safest place on earth,” he said.